What are the pros and cons of Z-members choices in magnifying visors? I'd like light as a feather, doesn't make my forehead sweat/chafe under a vinyl strap, and sharp as a tack lens that doesn't make objects bow with barrel distortion; which magnifying visor comes closest to that mark? tia
What you describe can cost $200 for some nice optical grade magnification glasses from a jewelry supply house. I use the sweat band Donegan Optivisor, which for $50 with a #5 lens, and the optional flip down loupe, is all you really need for Z. Some people just don't like them, prefering reading glasses from the dime store... Do they still have dime stores? Thank Grandma for that crack. Really, it falls into 2 camps, the optivisor and clone camp, and the reading glasses camp.
Without Optivisor, you can lead me around as a blind man. Put up with the sweaty brow from time to time......
I use magnification in stages. My regular reading glasses are 2.50 diopter and for close in work I use a pair of 3.5 and 4.0 diopter drug store reading glasses or occasionally I find them in the dollar store as opposed to the dime store. I prefer the cheap ones cause if I damage them they are easy to replace. The next stage is a cheap optivisor with two LED attached on either side for lighting which I remove and I find these at most train shows and are Chinese made so cheap and replaceable. I has two lenses on at 5.0 diopter and another flip down full lens that brings it to 10.0 and then the loop which I find tough to use with the either full lens down as you are two close to the work piece but good for seeing the smallest of detail and I occasionally use it for carving small detail with an exacto blade. cheerz Garth
After I wear magnification glasses or an Optivisor my eyes have a hard time adjusting back to normal (it may be the wine), but seriously anyone out there have any techniques as to how to get your eyes back to normal after wearing magnification glasses or an Optivisor? John
The only type of magnification I own is a little fold up type thing: http://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/Etching#5062444207437214242 I use it to line up artwork that needs to be perfect and to look at small decals. I HOPE that glasses or optivisor is never needed, but they probably will be some day.
A <<possibility>> is that you are using the Optivisor in low lighting. <<Possibly>> brighter light would help so your eyes would be less dialated when you take the Optivisor off. When all else fails go and see an Ophthalmologist. ...don
This is funny to me because I had just gone to the ophthalmologist a couple of weeks ago for this very reason: I wear not one but TWO pairs of strong drug store reading glasses at the same time for the real close up stuff!!! What a sight I must be (poor Loren)! And after getting the doctor's bill plus finding out what prescription glasses would cost just for me to see for 2 different close-up distances I have gone back to the two pairs of glasses!!!! I used my optivisor occasionally when I was Goldsmithing but find them quite uncomfortable, especially now for some odd reason. I use the lamp Kim suggested sometimes but it can distort your work when you use it while putting pieces together but is good for inspecting, or in my case seeing all the spots where I missed the mark =] Somewhere hidden away I have some magnifiers that attach to glasses and flip up when not needed. I think this will be the better solution for me. And YES, plenty of good lighting is a must. Today I bought yet another full spectrum lamp, I consider them the closest light to actual daylight and aid greatly in photographing your work. Sheesh, I didn't mean to say so much!! :embarassed:
The weekend before we had a train show with ZoCal in the Long Beach Convention Center. It worth to find out the type of lighting they're using. In the past many years, when I worked on small details at various train shows, even at home, the OptiVisor was mandatory. In the L.B. Convention Center I was able to cut, tweak and paint those cheap Chinese made figures without any magnification. I assembled small tables and benches for that people, same, bare eyes. Installation to the module was a breeze. This is the light what I need over my work bench.
I'm building the RSLaser 24' Logging Caboose. It is so small that, when I'm done, it might not be visible to the naked eye. Seriously though, I find that a cheap pair of drug store reading glasses work quite well. Terry
I have reading glasses for dealing with magazines and such. I used to wear them on modelling tasks as well, but I normally use the Optivisor now. Sometimes I use the Optivisor AND the reading glasses! Regards, Pete
