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For close upwork, do you prefer an Optivisor, or Adjustable Swing Arm Magnifier Lamp ?

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  • Member since
    December 2011
Posted by Chrisk-k on Monday, January 13, 2014 7:21 PM

I do have an Optivisor, but I find it cumbersome to wear and use.  I much prefer using reading glasses 1.5 & 3.0.  They are enough for me.

Iwata HP-CS | Iwata HP-CR | Iwata HP-M2 | H&S Evolution | Iwata Smart Jet + Sparmax Tank

  • Member since
    December 2013
Posted by jetmaker on Monday, January 13, 2014 8:26 PM

I already wear glasses, and I use an Optivisor. I really, REALLY like it. I have the LED attachment for it, but that doesn't help much. I'm working on better lighting right now. Lighting is EVERYTHING

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 9:02 AM

I agree that lighting is everything.  It is important to have a good light at your bench in addition to good vision aids. I airbrush right at my building bench and need a light that is repositionable so I can see the reflection of the light in the surface I am painting.  I use one of those ring light magnifiers that has a big magnifying glass in the middle of a circular fluorescent bulb.  A good light "stops down" the eye iris and gives you better vision.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    January 2014
Posted by Offduty on Friday, January 17, 2014 9:55 AM

I received my optivisor last night from amazon ($31.90) and tried it on. First impression of the head band is it is a little stiff but sure after wearing it it will round out and fit fine, kinda like breaking in a pair of shoes. I ordered the #4 which is 2 x at 10" and it really brings the object close up but it seams like I have to get a little close to the part to be in focus but I think working with it will prove to be a good benefit on small parts. The lens is glass and the optics are clear. I like the way the lens holder moves up and down I can pull it down just enough to view through it and able to look under the lens to see farther at the work table. So far seems to be a good investment after a few hours of using it I will report back an give an update.

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Smithers, BC, Canada
Posted by ruddratt on Friday, January 17, 2014 5:05 PM

I'd be lost without my optivisor (a #3) which I use along with 2.5 readers. Played around a lot with lighting before I hit upon my current setup, which is twin overhead 42w (150w equivalents) 6500K CFL's mounted behind an acrylic defuser.

Mike

 "We have our own ammunition. It's filled with paint. When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures....scares the hell outta people."

 

  • Member since
    June 2013
  • From: Jax, FL
Posted by Viejo on Saturday, January 18, 2014 12:04 PM

I got a visor from Hobby Lobby that is supposed to have five different strengths of magnification.  Since only one of my eyes work, it cuts that down to three: why am I wearing this, just right, and why can I see microbes moving on the model.....  I leave it in the middle position.

  • Member since
    May 2013
Posted by R-4360 on Sunday, January 19, 2014 8:36 PM

Ah, lighting - I have A 48" fluorescent shop light over my work bench. Plenty of light.

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: chesapeake ,Virginia
Posted by riptide on Friday, January 31, 2014 8:32 AM

At the moment i have a swing are lamp magnifying lense bulit in. i  find it very useful, and i also find it does get in the way at times when painting sanding etc. so i may invest in the visor. i think both are useful tools depending on the application.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, January 31, 2014 9:24 AM

The thing I like about positionable lighting is that I paint at my workbench (including airbrushing) and like to be able to move light source so I can see specular reflection in surface I am painting.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Nampa, Idaho
Posted by jelliott523 on Sunday, August 3, 2014 1:17 PM

I just picked up a magnifier that is mounted on a pair of frames with 5 different interchangeable lenses from 1X, 1.5X, 2X, 2.5X, 3.5X and has 2 LED lights mounted on it.  It was really cheap (under $10 US and free shipping).  I found them on that online auction site.  Not sure if they'll be worth a darn but for that cheap it cant be all bad.

On the Bench:  Lots of unfinished projects!  Smile

  • Member since
    March 2014
Posted by Tarasdad on Monday, August 11, 2014 7:50 PM

I love my Optivisor. It gives me far more freedom of movement than a magnifying lamp.

Tarasdad

On the Bench:

  • Revell 1/48 F-15 Strike Eagle
  • Revell 1/48 A-10 Warthog
  • Revell 1/426 USS Arizona
  • Member since
    August 2013
Posted by Jay Jay on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 9:16 AM

The Optivisor works well until I look a the TV.  It turned Brave Heart into a bunch of dots.

 

 

 

 

 

 I'm finally retired. Now time I got, money I don't.

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Friday, September 12, 2014 11:36 AM

Optivisor  from Harbor Freight. Very cheap and it really works!

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Greenville, NC
Posted by jtilley on Monday, September 15, 2014 5:13 PM

My problem with Optivisors is that, like many other people, I have two eyes that see differently. One of them focuses at a different distance than the other. So both lenses of an Optivisor can't be in focus for me at the same time.

I use two solutions (neither completely satisfactory, but both far better than nothing). One is an LED magnifying lamp, like Don's. The other is a pair of prescription reading glasses, which I had the optician make for me at the same time he filled my bifocal prescription. Those glasses work well, but I remember with great nostalgia the days when (having been born nearsighted) I could see everything I needed to see on a model with no magnification at all.

Those were the days....

Youth, talent, hard work, and enthusiasm are no match for old age and treachery.

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Saturday, September 20, 2014 8:25 PM

I use both.  Sometimes, at the same time.

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