Date
1 - 16 of 16
Head Magnifier or Desk Magnifier
|
Andy MM0FMF
Thanks for the comments and suggestions, there's lots for me to investigate.
Andy |
|
|
|
Out of all the magnifiers I've tried, I keep coming back to the simplest and cheapest: plastic reading glasses perched over the front of my existing varifocals. Like this:  Advantages:
I bought them in two magnifications, +2.0 dioptres for normal SMD work in the shack, and +4.0 dioptres for smaller/closer work - and then bought a duplicate set for the workshop outside. 73 from Ian GM3SEK |
|
|
|
Chris Bartram <chris@...>
For what it's worth, my solution, a couple of decades ago, was a binocular microscope for which I paid about £25 on ebay. It started life as a dissecting microscope in a Belfast School, and apart from initially needing better illumination, it still does the job.
I've thought of replacing it with some prescription specs., but what I have works. The major problem is spending a lot of my time staring down it has made a permanent slight change to my posture ... Chris G4DGU |
|
|
|
Ed G3VPF
I find varifocals useless for close up work. I had some specs made for close up work. Single lens and focussed at about 2 feet. Work well for assembly of SMT down to 0803 size. Beyond that I use a head magnifier.
Ed G3VPF
From: UKMicrowaves@groups.io <UKMicrowaves@groups.io> on behalf of Pete - GM4BYF via groups.io <gm4byf@...>
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2022 8:58:09 AM To: UKMicrowaves@groups.io <UKMicrowaves@groups.io> Subject: Re: [UKMicrowaves] Head Magnifier or Desk Magnifier I use a digital microscope - Mustool - available on eBay. It has its own
screen and variable illumination. I have it mounted on an old lab stand to allow for flexibility of height. Can be also connected to a phone or laptop can capture/export photos. There are now much cheaper digital microscopes available if you provide your own screen (phone or laptop). Just make sure it comes with its own variable illumination - most do. 73 Pete GM4BYF On 27/11/2022 19:28, Andy MM0FMF wrote: > I'm sure I read a discussion on here about head magnifiers or > illuminated desk magnifiers. I had a quick look and didn't find anything. > > Sadly Old Father Time has caught up with me and it's now hard work > seeing anything small even with my "high gain" reading glasses on. I > need something magnify the items on the workbench. > > Does anyone have any recommendations for an illuminated desk magnifier > or alternatively a head mounted magnifier than you can flip up out of > the way. > > I'm not sure if it makes a difference but I normally wear varifocals > but also have a number of plain reading glasses as well. > > Andy > > > > > -- vry 73 Pete GM4BYF |
|
|
|
Pete - GM4BYF
I use a digital microscope - Mustool - available on eBay. It has its own screen and variable illumination. I have it mounted on an old lab stand to allow for flexibility of height. Can be also connected to a phone or laptop can capture/export photos.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
There are now much cheaper digital microscopes available if you provide your own screen (phone or laptop). Just make sure it comes with its own variable illumination - most do. 73 Pete GM4BYF On 27/11/2022 19:28, Andy MM0FMF wrote:
I'm sure I read a discussion on here about head magnifiers or illuminated desk magnifiers. I had a quick look and didn't find anything. --
vry 73 Pete GM4BYF |
|
|
|
I bought one of these as they were so inexpensive to try.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32947252365.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.33cf3c25MrnhMN&algo_pvid=c009003d-bb8e-4934-8db5-0c991655d680&algo_exp_id=c009003d-bb8e-4934-8db5-0c991655d680-4&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2266208603890%22%7D&pdp_npi=2%40dis%21GBP%2117.97%2110.96%21%21%21%21%21%400b0a050116695913096566833e2a1a%2166208603890%21sea&curPageLogUid=pliVAZLHZiHm I find it perfect for PCB repair and inspection, I have a desk magnifier light but it is really awkward to use a soldering iron around it. The magnification on the headset is far superior too. Stuart M1GSM |
|
|
|
Paul G8AQA
I use an Optivisor with varifocals. I bought a
cheap copy but found it wasn't as good optically. I never use the
workbench magnifier. For soldering 0402s a microscope is
necessary. I bought a trinocular one from Ebay and it cost about
£200 but is probably more now.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Paul G8AQA On 27/11/2022 19:28, Andy MM0FMF wrote:
I'm sure I read a discussion on here about head magnifiers or illuminated desk magnifiers. I had a quick look and didn't find anything. |
|
|
|
Dave Brown
I have found that the better head band ones are the ones that have glass optics- the plastic ones always seem to be less clear. DaveB, NZ
From: UKMicrowaves@groups.io [mailto:UKMicrowaves@groups.io] On Behalf Of Robin Szemeti - G1YFG via groups.io
I have one or five of this style:
They have an uncanny ability to be able to not quite get into the position you need them regardless of how you arrange the joints.
Mine further have the "on off" switch located on the top of the lamp housing, near the swivel. I often find that the only angle I can actually get it to be in the position I need is the precise position at which the "knuckle" presses on the switch and turns the damn thing off.
I like the general *style* of device, the illuminated magnifier really helps a lot .. however, I wish I could find a "better built" one ...
On Sun, 27 Nov 2022 at 21:15, Peter G3SMT via groups.io <peter.torry=talktalk.net@groups.io> wrote:
|
|
|
|
Robin Szemeti - G1YFG
I also keep a selection of these type of things littering the bench: cheap jewelers' loupes. You can get them mounted on some sort of glasses frame for around £10 .. the glasses frame mount is useless, but break them off and you have two nice loupes ... great for inspecting small stuff! On Sun, 27 Nov 2022 at 21:39, Robin Szemeti <robin@...> wrote:
--
Robin Szemeti - G1YFG |
|
|
|
Robin Szemeti - G1YFG
I have one or five of this style: They have an uncanny ability to be able to not quite get into the position you need them regardless of how you arrange the joints. Mine further have the "on off" switch located on the top of the lamp housing, near the swivel. I often find that the only angle I can actually get it to be in the position I need is the precise position at which the "knuckle" presses on the switch and turns the damn thing off. I like the general *style* of device, the illuminated magnifier really helps a lot .. however, I wish I could find a "better built" one ... Hi Andy, --
Robin Szemeti - G1YFG |
|
|
|
I have varifocals and they work fine with various el-cheapo headband magnifiers. For very-very close examination, down to 0.1mm sort of resolution and checking, I use an old SLR camera 50mm lens in the same way you'd use a loupe. You can find these old lenses for peanuts these days, from all those old film cameras being chucked away. It provides a wide bright field of view, and has very high quality optics, obvs. Andy On Sun, 27 Nov 2022 at 20:59, Lehane Kellett G8KMH <g8kmh@...> wrote:
|
|
|
|
Peter G3SMT
Hi Andy,
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I use clip-on magnifiers that are readily available in different magnifications. Have a look at :-- https://safetyprotectionglasses.com/product-category/safety-glasses/safety-readers-bifocals/clip-on-magnifiers/ and also at :- https://www.cousinsuk.com/search?searchTerm=magnifiers Hope you find something suitable. 73 Peter G3SMT On 27/11/2022 19:28, Andy MM0FMF wrote:
I'm sure I read a discussion on here about head magnifiers or illuminated desk magnifiers. I had a quick look and didn't find anything. --
Peter G3SMT |
|
|
|
I don't know what size components you're working with.... I have a cheapo led 6x magnifier from Amazon (ASIN B08CMQN91C) fixed to the bench (reading glasses off) and use a stereo microscope for small SMD-0805 down to, very rarely, 0201 and beam lead. I use +2 reading glasses now, not varifocals though. 73 g8kmh -------- Original message -------- From: Andy MM0FMF <mm0fmf@...> Date: 27/11/2022 19:55 (GMT+00:00) To: UKMicrowaves@groups.io Subject: [UKMicrowaves] Head Magnifier or Desk Magnifier illuminated desk magnifiers. I had a quick look and didn't find anything. Sadly Old Father Time has caught up with me and it's now hard work seeing anything small even with my "high gain" reading glasses on. I need something magnify the items on the workbench. Does anyone have any recommendations for an illuminated desk magnifier or alternatively a head mounted magnifier than you can flip up out of the way. I'm not sure if it makes a difference but I normally wear varifocals but also have a number of plain reading glasses as well. Andy |
|
|
|
Martin Phillips G4CIO
I got my desk magnifier from Argos. It's fine. I left the cover flap up one day and the sun melted a nice track in the plastic box that was underneath it.
Martin/
On 27 Nov 2022, at 19:28, Andy MM0FMF <mm0fmf@...> wrote: I'm sure I read a discussion on here about head magnifiers or |
|
|
|
Ross G6GVI
I got one of these a few years back and find it very useful: https://cpc.farnell.com/linear-tools/59-650-747/magnifier-head-band-illuminated/dp/PY31675
I don't use the little monocle attachment or the lamp, but the flip-down element for extra magnification gets more use as each year passes! |
|
|
|
Andy MM0FMF
I'm sure I read a discussion on here about head magnifiers or illuminated desk magnifiers. I had a quick look and didn't find anything.
Sadly Old Father Time has caught up with me and it's now hard work seeing anything small even with my "high gain" reading glasses on. I need something magnify the items on the workbench. Does anyone have any recommendations for an illuminated desk magnifier or alternatively a head mounted magnifier than you can flip up out of the way. I'm not sure if it makes a difference but I normally wear varifocals but also have a number of plain reading glasses as well. Andy |
|
|