Headband or lamp magnifier?

Don't use any magnification, myself. I figure when the time comes and I can't see a 48th instrument panel too well anymore, I'll just switch to braille-scale.

Anyhoo, my Dad used whatever was appropriate. He had a magnifying lamp and the opti-visor. He also used some of his photo loupes on occasion. I guess for some people there is no one solution.


Fade to Black...

QUOTE: Originally posted by Lufbery Has anyone used one of those "extra hand" sets with the clips and the magnifier? Regards, -Drew

Mine doesn't have the magnifier, but sometimes, that "extra hand" really does come in, well. . .handy!

I like the 2.75X or even 3X magnification reading glasses you can get at the drug store or wal-mart etc. I have a light with a magnification glass in it but found it too restrictive when I'm dooin stuff. I used the light for doing 1/400 PE 20mm AA guns but used the 3X glasses with it, you had to place your head precisely... what a pain. I like the glasses.
G.L.

Has anyone used one of those "extra hand" sets with the clips and the magnifier?

Regards,

-Drew

I have the headband and have found one thing that annoys me. I always seem to be bending over the edge of the desk to get the 'item' at the focal point. After a while, I find that the 'hunching over' really hurts my back.

I haven't got anything else, but am considering the lamp if it can do the same job without the back-pain. Somewhere, I saw a little 'stand' that had a fairly large magnifying lens in it. The idea was that you just held things under the lens and went to work. I thought that was interesting, but the swingarm lamp seems more versatile to me.

Murray

i use a simple clip type lamp on a shelve over my head, with a 75 watt bulb it seems to give enough light to model by.

For me, it is not magnification, but light that helps and if you can find one of those old doctor reflectors (the shiny thing you always saw on antydoctor caricature that is on a headband and looks like a mirror with a hole in it) you will find it an invaluable tool. They reflect your desk lamp to just the spot where you are looking and you cannot get your head in the way to cause a shadow. The concave mirror even brightens the light. I love mine.

I have a lamp magnifier I found for $10 at Staples. It's good, but you have to view it thru one particular spot to get a clear vision. If not, what you're looking at streaches & blurs.

Thanks for all of the advice. Ironically, an ad from Harbor Freight made up my mind. They have the desklamp/magnifier (the nice one that usually retails for $60-70) for $29.99. Hard to beat that.

Thanks again

-fish

I have both. I use the flip down lighted visor when mobility is a must. I like the magnifier lamp when I have something mounted in my vise, such as a cockpit or instrument panel. The lamp doesn't get in the way at all when doing small detailing work.

My father once got me one of those headband magnifiers with the built-in lights on the side as a Christmas present. I don't use the magnifiers too often, but when I want them, they are handy. The lights, however, are utterly useless. If I need extra light, I'll just place a small desk lamp on my workbench, or if I want the light without taking up any more space on the workbench, a hiker's headlamp works pretty good.

I most often just use a pair of X2.75 reading glasses. The kind that are all clear (frameless).I have the other magnifying tools but they are too much of a hassle to use.

I have used both, but I find that when I am painting fiqures that the headband visor is better, use to have problems with the body of the lamp getting in the way of the brushes. If using the headband visor it is important to have a good light source to illumate the wok area.

Have not had problems with the headband irritating my forehead but I have known a few modellers who have, think it depends on the quality of the headband.

I like the lamp magnifier. I've used one for years and you get used to them. They come in handy and its easier on your eyes rather than having to stop and flip up the headband.

Mike

I use a fluorescent magnifier clamped to the side of the bench. For me, I found my skin became irritated under the headband types.
Don't forget adequate area lighting as well, that often makes the light in the magnifier redundant.

I use an Optivisor. I find it very comfortable and the visor can be brought down with my glasses on. I purchased it a few months ago and it has helped quite a bit. I have a lot of light in the room from all angles and with the magnification I get with this headband (2.5x @ 8 in.)its does the trick.

It may be just me, but the headband units really annoy me. I'd much rather use the "Halo" magnifier lamp, or just stick to plain eyeballing it, without magnification.

demono69

I have both a large magnifying fluorescent light, and a magnifying binocular that clips over my glasses. I find the glasses give my head and body greater range of motion, and don't interfere like the light does when I'm moving materials in and out. I still use the magnifying light as additional task lighting with excellent results. The light would be good if you are doing a lot of stationary, repetitive work with similar, but minimal amounts of tools or equipment. The glasses work for more involved, non-repetitive tasks more closely associated with model construction. Depending on your work habits, find the one that provides the most ergonomic efficiency. I like the magnifying lenses.
Just my opinion.

Gip Winecoff