Headband Magnifiers / Loupes

G0OSE · 2019-01-09T14:20:00.000Z

As I’m getting older I find my eyesight slowly fading and tiny things I used to be able to see are now out of focus, I have glasses for this obviously but it doesn’t help with close up stuff.
I have been looking at headband magnifiers, there are loads, some with eyeglasses/loupes for very close up and others with plasic lenses on, 5 strength lenses supplied with various magnifications as below photo…
Some are huge and I wouldn’t appreciate wearing them, but I found this type - I wondered, any of you guys used these one, or what ones would you recommend, nothing too pricey! This one is around £7 on ebay.

PBWilson · 2019-01-09T14:59:45.000Z

I bought an inexpensive set of magnifiers that clips onto my glasses. I use it mainly for soldering close up work. It sucks getting older and having your near vision go to pot. Before I got them I would take a macro picture of the solder connection, memorize the spot where I need to hit with the iron and have at it. NOT the best way to do detail work!

The ones I got (Klappbrille Clip On Flip Lupe Lupe Freisprecheinrichtung Präzise Lupe Kreatives Design Sale - Banggood Deutschland sold out-arrival notice-arrival notice) are a bit heavy and you might need a pair of well-fitting glasses, but they really work well for getting up close.

ActiveAl · 2019-01-09T17:09:58.000Z

Goose, FWIW this product on Amazon.com appears to be the same or very similar to the one you are considering - and it has good review. It may be interesting to read over them.

G0OSE · 2019-01-09T17:27:06.000Z

ActiveAl:

Goose, FWIW this product on Amazon.com appears to be the same or very similar to the one you are considering - and it has good review. It may be interesting to read over them.

Thanks for that, I never thought to look on Amazon! Yes it does get some really good reviews, maybe I’ll do one for on here when it arrives.

TheOnlyDocc · 2019-01-09T17:43:23.000Z

The one thing you should think of when buying, is that this assembly on your head has some weight.
I bought one that was build like the one you posted in the past. But everytime i was looking down it was slipping.
Now i have one with a band arround my head. It sits more stable and after modding it it is working nice. I put a different kind of led in it (stronger and better color) and put some real soft natural leather (as a sweat absorber) in it.
The one i have is not exactly this one but it is close. It also has different lenses that can be used.

amazon.com

Amazon.com: Jewelry Headband Magnifying Glass Lens LED Light Lamp Visor Head...

Amazon.com: Jewelry Headband Magnifying Glass Lens LED Light Lamp Visor Head Loupe Magnifier : Arts, Crafts & Sewing

But there are some newer ones that are better build now. With light, lenses that can be changed and a headband that holds the light where it has to sit.

chadvone · 2019-01-09T17:56:17.000Z

Right now I use a Magnifier on my 3rd hand. It works , but I have been looking for something that goes on head and I could flip down and flip up easily.

The one in the OP seams to do this. And the similar one linked on Amazon.
I noticed it didn’t show it on any ones head???

It looks like there is a lot of weight out front of the nose gaurd.

Jerommel · 2019-01-09T19:11:20.000Z

I have a couple of reading glasses.
When things are really tiny i put one over the other.

woodyt · 2019-01-10T13:04:25.000Z

The one that Docc linked to Amazon is just like the one I have and its very nice, I think you will like it. I hadn’t used it in a while but did about two weeks ago and forgot how nice it is to have around.

woodyt · 2019-01-10T13:10:17.000Z

update. Here is the one I have. Got it on Amazon too.

SE MH1047L Illuminated Dual Lens Flip-In Head Magnifier

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003UCODIA/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Igor · 2019-01-10T14:13:51.000Z

I use the good old famous Optivisor. Quality is top notch, although more expensive.

chadvone · 2019-01-10T14:18:20.000Z

woodyt:

update. Here is the one I have. Got it on Amazon too.

SE MH1047L Illuminated Dual Lens Flip-In Head Magnifier

Amazon.com

I remember my grandpa having one like this.

How does it feel on your head? Heavy ?>

woodyt · 2019-01-10T14:26:08.000Z

It has enough weight so it stays put, but not too heavy. The light also comes in handy. If you don’t use this thing daily it fits the bill.

chadvone · 2019-01-10T14:29:18.000Z

I think I am gonna add it to my next order.

Can you guess if the smaller lens out front can be switched to other eye?

woodyt · 2019-01-10T14:36:35.000Z

Looks like it can, just have to switch a screw out from the other side and screw the loupe over. I think its pretty easy to do that. There are 4 screws that hold the one frame on and the loupe takes the place of one of those screws, so just switch it around. Hard to beat for 10.00 and change. I paid 8.00 a while back but still a good deal.

G0OSE · 2019-01-10T14:49:58.000Z

Well I just won the auction for the one in my OP so when it comes I’ll do a small review.

chadvone · 2019-01-10T14:57:53.000Z

Cool, I been on Amazon last couple hours researching, I did find some photos of them on the head, there worn more like glasses.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0742CJJM9/ref=psdc_3776271_t2_B071GWM9QN

And somehow I ended up at this link

https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Anti-Static-Stainless-Electronics-Laboratory/dp/B071KCBXPR/ref=pd_bxgy_121_img_2?\_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B071KCBXPR&pd_rd_r=e5c83edc-14e6-11e9-b5b3-8f127ad5b758&pd_rd_w=TA9sW&pd_rd_wg=yCft8&pf_rd_p=6725dbd6-9917-451d-beba-16af7874e407&pf_rd_r=192VHCCQGZR0CZKQX27C&psc=1&refRID=192VHCCQGZR0CZKQX27C#customerReviews

woodyt · 2019-01-10T16:23:42.000Z

I look forward to the review.

G0OSE · 2019-01-10T17:27:38.000Z

chadvone:

Cool, I been on Amazon last couple hours researching, I did find some photos of them on the head, there worn more like glasses.

Amazon.com

And somehow I ended up at this link

Amazon.com

They look like they’ll be quite comfortable, and if it does get a bit heavy after a while you can always add the elastic headband to take a little of the strain off the nose piece.
Next thing may be modding the led’s on it :smiling_imp: you never know it may be bright enough though!

vwpieces · 2019-01-10T18:08:34.000Z

LOL, MtnE now carries some high CRI 5mm LEDs.
Something to ad to cart for for a future order.
Want some for upgrades like this.

G0OSE · 2019-01-17T11:51:40.000Z

Firstly I’m not much of a reviewer, I did start to take photo’s for you all, but there would be loads, so I decided the one in the OP would suffice! (sorry) I’m sure you guys can see what I mean from that.

Well, mine arrived today. I am really impressed with it and it is far better than I expected it to be.
Wear wise I was concerned it may be too heavy with 3x aaa batteries inside it, well it is a little heavy in your hand but once on your head that weight is not an issue thanks to the superb fit and the grip of the arms.
The nosepiece is bendable to the shape/size of your nose and I didn’t notice any of that weight really sitting on my nose bridge, the arms do such a good job. Apparently the batteries last for 20 hours!
Adjustment wise these are fantastic, firstly there is adjustment of angle on the top part (where the crosshead screw is in photo), then the part that holds the lenses (where they clip in) adjusts to different angles too - it also slides forwards and backwards.
The led lights are 3mm x 2 and are quite a cool tint, but I would say they are plenty bright enough for any use I can think of, the whole led light part of it also adjusts for different angles so you can shine it better on to your job.
The lenses supplied are 1x, 1.5x, 2x, 2.5x and 3.5x and are nice and wide - they fit in and out really easily and considering they are plastic they are really crisp. They come supplied with a sturdy box which I would recommend keeping them in as they could be easily scratched no doubt. It does say they have been treated/hardened to H5 so that should help protect them.
They also come with an elastic headband that replaces the arms which just unclip from the body, I can’t see me needing this but if you did , then it’s there - they grip so well with the arms, unless you intended to use them on a parachute jump, I can’t imagine them falling off, they really fit that well!
Overall I would definitely recommend these, the sheer range of adjustment means they should fit anyone for most purposes and the optics are really good, these will help me a lot!
I did read on the box these are the second version, so if you are thinking of getting some make sure they are the same as the photo above (with nose cut out) - the only differences I can see is the other v1 ones I saw on ebay have a rectangular lens, not sculpted (with nose cut out) I guess they changed this because it was hitting peoples noses and would have limited the adjustment of angles, it also says the battery life is longer. Other than they they look identical.
For just a shade over £7 delivered (around $10) I am amazed, I would have happily paid double that. If you were thinking about getting some, just get them, you won’t be disappointed!