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mike[_22_]

On 3/5/2015 7:20 AM, wrote:
I have a pair of magnifiers that I use in the shop for working on small stuff. I picked these no name, no markings, made in India glasses up for about 8.00 at a show several years ago. They have two glass lenses, an elastic headband, and as for as magnification goes I would compare them to about a pair of 2.5 reading glasses. and unlike the cheap plastic lens types that are out there, surprisingly there doesn't seem to be any objectionable optical distortion with these. The only problem with these glasses is the working distance of 6 or 7 inches.

I was talking to my dentist recently about the magnifiers that he uses. he seems -focuseto have what he needs as far as magnification and with a 2 foot working distance to boot. I asked him about the glasses and he couldn't comment on the technical specs of them except to say that he purchased them while in dental school, and that they were hundreds of dollars.

I also use a jewelers loupe for very small things, and although the magnification of that reveals a whole different world to me the focal length of 2 inches or less is very difficult to work with.

Does anyone know if it is possible to see what my dentist, or a surgeon for that matter is seeing for a reasonable price? Thanks, Lenny

I have a head-mounted device called "magni-focuser" by

Edroy Products Inc.

It takes two lenses to get what you want.
So, they're like two telescopes.

I find them absolutely useless.
You move the lenses in and out to match the distance
between your eyes EXACTLY so the images overlap.

If you move your head ever so slightly or wrinkle your brow
or the wind blows or anything happens within a mile of you,
the images no longer match up. I found them far more distracting
than helpful.

My dentist had glasses with little protrusions glued on the surface
to do that function. I assume they work somewhat better because
they're much closer to the eyes and have less weight to move them
around as you move your head.

I think I asked him what they cost, but I fainted when he told me
the number and don't remember what it was.

Might be interesting to do some experiments using reading glasses
plus a head-mounted magnifier to get the effect of the two lenses
in increasing the working distance.

I think there are optical newsgroups that might be more helpful.
Report back what you find.