I already have a simple magnifier that works with a stiff plastic
headband, and has four interchangeable 'lenses' for different distances,
etc. It's OK, but I'd prefer not to have to bend over so much to the
bench, so I'm looking for something a bit better, focusing on the bench
when I'm upright! Also something that's quick to adjust.

I've noticed the sort of 'binocular' things that surgeons are seen using,
and they appear to have a way of focusing by rotating the lens assembly.
I've also seem some that work with glasses, yet are easy to move away
when required.

I wear glasses with a correction to enable me to see things close up, and
It'd quite like to have them readily available to swap between.

I know these are more expensive that what I have, but would like to
research it further. If it's possible and saves money, a single eye
version would be good since there's only one eye!

Does anyone have any experience/recommendations please?

--
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK:
http://www.mirrorservice.org

*lightning protection* - a w_tom conductor

Bob Eager submitted this idea :
I already have a simple magnifier that works with a stiff plastic
headband, and has four interchangeable 'lenses' for different distances,
etc. It's OK, but I'd prefer not to have to bend over so much to the
bench, so I'm looking for something a bit better, focusing on the bench
when I'm upright! Also something that's quick to adjust.

Does anyone have any experience/recommendations please?

I use an illuminated magnifier fixed to the bench, on a flexi arm, one
of those with the circular fluorescent lamps.

Its very good for being able to work stood up, but it does tend to get
in the way of your soldering iron and takes a while to stop rocking
back and forth when you move it back to where you are working.

I paid about £20 for it from Maplin on special offer a few years ago
and would not be without it.

--
Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk

On Sat, 28 Jan 2012 09:40:59 +0000, Harry Bloomfield wrote:

Bob Eager submitted this idea :
I already have a simple magnifier that works with a stiff plastic
headband, and has four interchangeable 'lenses' for different
distances, etc. It's OK, but I'd prefer not to have to bend over so
much to the bench, so I'm looking for something a bit better, focusing
on the bench when I'm upright! Also something that's quick to adjust.

Does anyone have any experience/recommendations please?

I use an illuminated magnifier fixed to the bench, on a flexi arm, one
of those with the circular fluorescent lamps.

Its very good for being able to work stood up, but it does tend to get
in the way of your soldering iron and takes a while to stop rocking back
and forth when you move it back to where you are working.

I paid about £20 for it from Maplin on special offer a few years ago and
would not be without it.

I've tried one, but I didn't really get on with it; that's when I bought
the cheap headband one. My wife uses it now; it's clamped next to her
knitting machine!


--
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK:
http://www.mirrorservice.org

*lightning protection* - a w_tom conductor

On 27/01/2012 23:58, Bob Eager wrote:
I already have a simple magnifier that works with a stiff plastic
headband, and has four interchangeable 'lenses' for different distances,
etc. It's OK, but I'd prefer not to have to bend over so much to the
bench, so I'm looking for something a bit better, focusing on the bench
when I'm upright! Also something that's quick to adjust.

I've noticed the sort of 'binocular' things that surgeons are seen using,
and they appear to have a way of focusing by rotating the lens assembly.
I've also seem some that work with glasses, yet are easy to move away
when required.

I wear glasses with a correction to enable me to see things close up, and
It'd quite like to have them readily available to swap between.

I know these are more expensive that what I have, but would like to
research it further. If it's possible and saves money, a single eye
version would be good since there's only one eye!

Does anyone have any experience/recommendations please?

I have a pair of the "Peer" magnifiers (1-3/4 and 2-3/4) which fit over
varifocal glasses and work fine. I've been tempted by the "surgeon"
types for a while but not quite bitten the bullet. In the past there
were Russian ones for less than £200 while the German were typically
£600 upwards.

These seem reasonable

http://www.quicktest.co.uk/acatalog/...on_s_type.html

These are Russian, I think

http://www.rugift.com/photocameras/l..._magnifier.htm

http://www.rugift.com/photocameras/b...magnifiers.htm

and this one must be

http://www.kremlinoptics.com/catalog...agnifiers.html

These look Indian to me and don't quote any prices (and serious
microscopists seem to regard Indian optics as a joke).

http://www.surgeonmicroscope.com/loupes/index.html.