Optivisor Question

[chromdome35]

I've decided I need to buy an Optivisor, in looking at Amazon there are several different magnification and focal lengths available.

I figure I'll need to buy the headset and maybe several different magnification plates.

For those of you who have one, which plates do you use the most?

[dierk]

I use one of these, and love it: comes with four lenses, with the option to combine two of them. Link is for the first one I found - I'm sure you can get it cheaper (I paid roughly 15 euros for mine)

[wbill76]

My optivisor is a relatively cheap one I picked up at a Harbor Freight. It has two different levels of magnification, 1.5x and 3x I think, and I never use the higher magnification...mostly because I also wear glasses and the higher mag made my eyes hurt...plus it made it really hard to keep things in focus at that magnification while working on it.

[TRM]

I have a couple different models, including the B&L Magna Visor. If what your looking at only has options of choosing one lens, I guess the mid-range focal length would be best bu this has to do with how close you are comfortable you are when working. Just thought, and everyone is different, stop by a CVS or Walmart and have a look at the non-prescription reading glasses. In the past year I switched to a pair with (I think) 2.75...I found a pair at the dollar store for about $6. They work pretty much the same without all the head gear. I also grabbed a 3 pack of Thin Optics. They are slick and as thin as a credit card with a case for the back of my phone. They fit only on the nose with no arms.

If nothing else, if you stop off to check out the readers, they will give you a good idea as to what lenses you might want.

[chromdome35]

Jan 4, 2017 12:12:09 GMT -5 TRM said:

I have a couple different models, including the B&L Magna Visor. If what your looking at only has options of choosing one lens, I guess the mid-range focal length would be best bu this has to do with how close you are comfortable you are when working. Just thought, and everyone is different, stop by a CVS or Walmart and have a look at the non-prescription reading glasses. In the past year I switched to a pair with (I think) 2.75...I found a pair at the dollar store for about $6. They work pretty much the same without all the head gear. I also grabbed a 3 pack of Thin Optics. They are slick and as thin as a credit card with a case for the back of my phone. They fit only on the nose with no arms.

If nothing else, if you stop off to check out the readers, they will give you a good idea as to what lenses you might want.

The optivisor brand has different plates you can purchase they seem to range from 1.5x up to 4x. There's also a little add on loupe that increases that as well.

I have used 1.5 readers for several years just to be able to make out the small print on everything. I have to use them when I model or else I'll end up attaching the barrel to the rear muffler...hey it looked like the right spot.

I recently bought a pair of cheap 2.5 readers to use when I model and work just fine. Can you wear your reading glasses at the same time as the optivisor? Also wouldn't the magnification "stack" So 1.5 readers + 2x Optivisor = 3.5x?

[TRM]

LOL...I am not sure about the stacking; I have not tried it yet! Personally having little problems with 2.75's at the moment, even with some 1/35 figs. I am sure that will change as time goes on! There are some clip on loops that work with regular glasses...maybe the stacking will too.

[chromdome35]

What is the benefit to optivisors over reading glasses?

Does a 2x optivisor give you the same view as 2x reading glasses?

[TRM]

I have not noticed the difference in magnification...but I find the glasses more comfortable. I think it all depends on personal preferences. The B&L set I have is very comfortable and the visor lifts right out of the way...lenses are excellent and easy to change. I got lucky grabbing a pair of the higher power readers when I was at a show doing demos and forgot the headgear at home. Cheap money to see if they work...especially at a Dollar Store!

[fhvn4d]

One of the things I like about my set up is there are two large sets of lenses attached to my headband, and I can use the front one or both to super magnify what I am working on, but when i dont need it the view is not so obscured that I cant just look down through my regular glasses. Bought mine at the Nationals last year in SC and I swear by them .......

www.ebay.com/itm/Magnifier-Magnifying-Glass-Headset-6X-Head-Visor-Hobby-Coins-Beading-Crafts-/331722474559

[sturmbird]

a few years back I was at my local jewelers, and noticed his assistant was wearing one that fit over regular glasses. It was totally adjustable for focus and power. Ask him where he got it, and he offered to get me one. The other systems always gave me headaches, and this one doesn't. Set me back the ghastly sum of $25! Wish finding a good paint mask was that easy!

gary

[mrversatile]

I happened to be walking through my local Ocean State Junk Lot and found a Chinese made Optivisor with a light and swing away extra magnifying lense for about $6.00. Its the same one offered at micromark for $25.00. I already had a real Optivisor but for the price I couldn't pass on it.

[panzerjager2]

I use this, and am old

www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=DChcSEwjB8ZHpgbrSAhVDX34KHQdVA3QYABArGgJwYw&sig=AOD64_0fvBP4hqho0PEL_rpYe70lAkdEdg&ctype=5&q=&ved=0ahUKEwjv_o7pgbrSAhVEyGMKHbh8DcYQqCsIkwE&adurl=

[k1w1]

I have a series of cheap reading glasses. +2.50 , +3.00 , +3.50 and +4.00. I just alternate between them depending on what I am doing. I also have some powerful clip on lenses I can attach to any of them for superfine work but find the +4.00 will deal with most fine work. These are comfortable and cheap. Those optivisors must be quite cumbersome to wear  ?