Magnifying visor?

[mahkagari]

Progressing on my first inletting and despite my initial assumption this would be tedious, it's fun and addicting.

I've reached for my magnifying glass more than a couple of times as well as various LED flashlights. Does anyone find themselves regularly using a magnifying, lighted visor? Seems like it might be worth the investment.

 

[Billnpatti]

Sounds like a great idea. I use a magnifying visor but it doesn't have a built in light. My light depends on where I am working. When the weather is nice, I set up my folding workbench on my driveway in front of the garage door. No worries about the wood chips. When the weather is less than desirable, I work in my office using a desk lamp for light....but I end up with a lot of vacuuming to do when I am done for the day. I think that lighted magnifying visor would be a great idea.

 

[BrownBear]

Absolutely. Been living with these for several years now for leatherworking, fly tying and all close projects.

Looker geezerly as hell, but man do they ever work well. And cheap too.

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

Yes, use them all the time.

opti-visor with #5 lens seems to give the best trade off between magnification and working distance for my needs.

 

[Spikebuck]

I don't have a lighted visor, but I do have a lighted magnifier on an arm attached to my workstation.

Helps a LOT for fine work. Only problem is sometimes working under it with longer tools. I can definitely see the advantage of a quality visor.

 

[bubba.50]

the opti-visor seems to be pretty popular over at The Horner's Bench. been thinkin' on gettin' one myself. gettin' harder to focus up close for finer work.

 

[Vaino]

Have used an Optivisor w/o lights for many years....my bench lights are LEDs and supply excellent light.

My Optivisor has #5 lenses which are 2-1/2 power w/ an 8" focal length. Both these specs are correct for me, but others might opt for other specs....but the higher the power the shorter the focal length. Also have the attached jeweler's loupe which I've never used.....Fred

 

[Eric Krewson]

Buying an optivisor changed the quality of my gun building for the better. I made my first gun without it and my second gun with it, the difference between the two is daylight and dark.

I ordered a #5 and they sent a #7, I didn't send it back. The focal length is short but you can sure see what you are working one.

I built my workbench 46" tall so I don't have to bend over to work on a gun. The #7 optivisor works with minimum effort at this height.

 

[Artificer]

My current Opti Visor "frame" is almost 30 years old and I have replaced both the lens piece and the jeweler's loupe from the original. I think I will soon need to buy a whole new one as the "frame" or headpiece is finally pretty well worn out.

I do use the Jeweler's Loupe with mine quite often.

I never bothered with the lighted version for two reasons. The first was some folks have said the light shining on the piece gave off strange shadows or a kind of optical illusion effect. I personally did not like it one time I tried one, but it may be because I have used a non-light Opti-Visor for so many years.

I am a fanatic about light in my shop. I have a four bulb high intensity work light over my bench, another close to it, and a good light behind me, to dispel shadows. I also have a "desk lamp" type folding extension arm light I use when needed.

Gus

 

[mahkagari]

I am a fanatic about light in my shop. I have a four bulb high intensity work light over my bench, another close to it, and a good light behind me, to dispel shadows. I also have a "desk lamp" type folding extension arm light I use when needed.

Oh, good. So, I'm not the only weirdo. I have an overhead fluorescent, soft light desk lamp, visor is on its way, and still reach for a bore light.

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
I have have Optivisors, which work fine but I recently bought this unit with LED lights: https://www.riogrande.com/Product/MegaView-Pro-Lighted-Magnifier-Headset-with-Three-Lenses/115719

I really like it. It is not as heavy or confining as the optivisor and I think the optics are a little better. It works very well over glasses but then so does the optivisor. The visor also includes 3 different lenses so you don't have to buy those individually as you do with the optivisor.

dave

 

[Dwight Rutherford]

I have been using this: https://www.treelineusa.com/magnifiers/magnifying-visors/magnifier-visor-w-4-lenses-and-light.html
Comes with 5 lenses and has a light. Reasonable cost under $30.

 

[Billnpatti]

That's a fine looking unit but......$120....OUCH!!

 

[Dwight Rutherford]

I have been using this: https://www.treelineusa.com/magnifiers/magnifying-visors/magnifier-visor-w-4-lenses-and-light.html
Comes with 4 lenses and has a light. Reasonable cost under $30.

 

[dave_person]

Hi Bill,
Yes it is not cheap but an optivisor with 2 additional lenses and a light will cost about the same. Being able to see my work clearly and conveniently is worth a lot to me, more so than many other things.

dave

 

[Spikebuck]

Not that one can always believe reviews, but it sounds like it has some longevity issues, especially for the price. :idunno:

 

[Spikebuck]

I have been using this: https://www.treelineusa.com/magnifiers/magnifying-visors/magnifier-visor-w-4-lenses-and-light.html
Comes with 4 lenses and has a light. Reasonable cost under $30.

What are the lenses made of...polycarb?

 

[Archer 756]

:surrender: I have used on from Harbor Freight wit no problems and cost is low :hatsoff:

 

[Dwight Rutherford]

Yes

 

[dave_person]

Hi Spikebuck,
I saw those too but I've had mine for about a year and I use them a lot without problems so far. I like the optics and the visor is quite a bit cooler in summer than the optivisor. I used to have to fold up a pad of paper towel and wedge it between my skin and the head band on the optivisor to keep sweat from running into my eyes during summer.

dave