optivisor

[Philip BurleyParticipant @philipburley44197]

has anyone any experience of using an optivisor or similar ? I was thinking of a 14inch focal length 1.75 x magnification for working on small parts like tapping 10 BA etc . I wear varifocal specs , but sometimes need a magnifying glass which is tricky if you don't have 3 hands , !

all the best for the new year every one ,may your shed always be dry and warm

[Philip BurleyParticipant @philipburley44197]

see better

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Hello, Philip

I think it safe to say that all of us that have tried an Optivisor would recommend them.

The only thing I know of, that is better is the [very pricey] Surgeon's 'telescope' loupes.

MichaelG.

[EmgeeParticipant @emgee]

Hi Philip

I use a similar make to optivisor magnifier and can even use it over my varifocal glasses, find it very useful for fine work but only for short periods of time.

Emgee

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

I've mentioned before that when I was working I had local optician make me up a pair of reading specs with a flip-down extra mag part. the surgical loupes are brill but expensive and if I had it converted with corrective lenses then my colleagues couldn't have used them and we'ld have had to buy more.

I think I've seen extra mag clip-on flip-downs somewhere which would be cheaper still

[I.M. OUTAHEREParticipant @i-m-outahere]

The one i use is just a headband with a jointed arm on the front that the lense clips into , looks a little silly but works well although the little led light is useless

It came with 5 lenses in a plastic box and i think up to 15x magnification .

I bought it on Ebay .

[Harry WilkesParticipant @harrywilkes58467]

I do use an optivisor over varifocals and have to say I find I struggle to see in focus maybe this being down to the size of my lenses and frames.

H

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

I use "optivisor" type device over varifocals and have no problems. My lens and frames are quite large as I dislike being able to see the frames! Obviously it is a personal choice.

[Stephen BensonParticipant @stephenbenson75261]

Love my Optivisor I would suggest lining the front with leather strip the plastic turns to mush if you wear for hours a day

[Phil PParticipant @philp]

I have used Optivisors for years but they do make your forehead sweaty after a while.

So I now use the ZEISS LC Spectacle Clip-On.http://www.theloupestore.co.uk/Headband-Loupes/ZEISS-Kopflupe-LC—Brillenclip.html

It aint cheap but it is of good optical quality and works very well for me as a spectacle wearer.

Phil

Edited By Phil P on 31/12/2016 22:37:57

[John ReeseParticipant @johnreese12848]

I have used Optivisor for years with good results. Recently I found a much better magnifier from Grobet. It includes lens plates for 1.5 to 6 x magnification. There is built-in illumination. The headgear includes a crown strap that makes it far more stable than Optivisor.

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

Another vote for the Optivisor style, I use mine regularly. Great for finding splinters ! When I was a young man I could see and grind small drills of under 1mm now even with the optivisor I can not do that so throw them away. Age is not kind to old eyes.

[John FlackParticipant @johnflack59079]

Increasing age brings a need for increased lighting of the workpiece. This has nothing to do with reduced visual function.if your eyesight is causing a problem consult an optician, explain your need, and he will come up with ideas that will meet your requirements in respect of focal length requirements etc etc. This seems a better option than tinkering with patent products. The downside is remembering to change over to 'normal' specs mode when you move in or out of the workshop!!! A similar discipline to remembering where you left the vernier, scriber etc is necessary!!!!

[Brian AbbottParticipant @brianabbott67793]

Merry Christmas to you all.

I am struggling with my eyes a little and have been thinking of buying an optivisor,
am i correct in thinking the originals are made by a company called Donegan?

Thanks all.

[Steve CrowParticipant @stevecrow46066]

Hi Brian, Genuine Optivisors are made by Donegan in Kansas I think. Get the real ones with ground glass lenses. They are the best magnification aid I've used.

The lenses come in around 10 different focal distances/magnifications. To get the right pair, measure the distance form the eye to the work when you are physically comfortable and buy them for focal distance, not magnification. If you are in London, HS Walsh on Hatton Garden have them you can try out.

I've recommended these to a few people and they've all been impressed.

Cheers, Steve

[NJHParticipant @njh]

I agree the optivisor is a very useful and cheapish bit of kit. The only problem with it lies with my wife whose hobbies are in needlework – tapestry, needlepoint etc. and she has found that the optivisor can be useful for her too! …..In consequence it may not always be at hand when required in the workshop.

(Quite reasonable too – who am I to complain? …. mmmmm I wonder if supper is ready yet… ( she is a great cook! ))

Norman

[BizibilderParticipant @bizibilder]

Another vote for the Optivisor – I prefer the No 5 8" magnifier (actually 2.5x magnification). I have bought a cheaper one some years ago and it was rubbish in comparison.

Just a tip – track the price on something like Amazon – it is currently £49 but does fluctuate – I paid £30 not so long ago.

**LINK**

[Enough!Participant @enough]

Posted by Philip Burley on 31/12/2016 20:56:35:

has anyone any experience of using an optivisor or similar ? I was thinking of a 14inch focal length 1.75 x magnification for working on small parts like tapping 10 BA etc . I wear varifocal specs , but sometimes need a magnifying glass which is tricky if you don't have 3 hands , !

The thing I use mostly for that kind of stuff is a pair of simple reading glasses from the store. Come in a range of dioptres (I have several depending what I'm doing). (Basically, it's the magnifying glass but for two hands).

Optivisor et al seems like overkill to me – not to mention a whole lot more expensive.

[John MCParticipant @johnmc39344]

I've been using a clip on/flip up lens on my reading glasses for a couple of years now, very cheap from Ebay for the small fiddly bits. Even my optician is quite impressed "optically" with them. They are getting a bit scratched now so was thinking upgrading to an Optivisor. I'm slightly concerned over the size of the Optivisor, I can quickly flip down the lenses I have to, say, accurately position a centre punch on fine lines, then flip them out of the way, can I do this with the Optivisor? Will they get in the way of safety glasses?

I am also concerned that the genuine Optivisor has, I believe, glass lenses, not the best thing in the workshop environment from the H&S point of view.

I would also like to reinforce the point that good lighting is also a great help with elderly eyes.

John

[Gary WoodingParticipant @garywooding25363]

I make high quality jewellery and have used an Optivisor for years. I use the DA-10 lens plate (3.5x magnification) with my glasses in place. For setting very small stones I use the OptiLOUPE too.

I also have tried cheaper versions but they truly pale into insignificance when compared to the genuine article.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by John MC on 29/12/2017 08:32:55:

I am also concerned that the genuine Optivisor has, I believe, glass lenses, not the best thing in the workshop environment from the H&S point of view.

.

John,

Your 'Risk Assessment' may differ from mine … but as I see it:

My Optivisor is used for close work on small jobs; and the likelihood of a tiny fragment breaking the glass is negligible.

MichaelG.

[Stephen BensonParticipant @stephenbenson75261]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 29/12/2017 09:00:47:

Posted by John MC on 29/12/2017 08:32:55:

I am also concerned that the genuine Optivisor has, I believe, glass lenses, not the best thing in the workshop environment from the H&S point of view.

.

John,

Your 'Risk Assessment' may differ from mine … but as I see it:

My Optivisor is used for close work on small jobs; and the likelihood of a tiny fragment breaking the glass is negligible.

MichaelG.

As a Clock repairer I wear mine all the time so it is very tempting to not wear safety glasses when wearing your Optivisor, but I will always wear my safety glasses under the optivisor when grinding and the like.

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

A photo went round our plant newsletter of a small drill (about 2mm) stuck in the lens of a pair of safety glasses. The toolmaker was grinding it on a bench grinder and it got launched. An optivisor is no substitute for safety glasses. The toolmaker came to no harm but I don't know about his underwear.

Mike

[John MCParticipant @johnmc39344]

I wonder how many model engineers wear their prescription glass lensed specs in the workshop? I need glasses for reading. When I need a new prescription (seems to be every time I go to the opticians!), I have a new pair of plastic bifocal lenses made for my safety glasses. Not cheap but justified on the amount of time I like to spend in the workshop.

John

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Mike Poole on 29/12/2017 10:54:51:

The toolmaker was grinding it on a bench grinder and it got launched. An optivisor is no substitute for safety glasses.

.

Absolutely, Mike

But since I would never expose good glass lenses to grinding dust, the scenario didn't enter my personal 'risk assessment'.

MichaelG.

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