Thinking about getting an Optivisor

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hey all,

I believe I’d find details easier to paint if I wore an Optivisor over my glasses. For those of you that use them, which model do you recommend? Obviously I don’t want one with insufficient magnification. Does eye-to-part distance (approximately 24") factor in to deciding what model to get? Any help would be appreciated.

2

Look at this thread in the “Tools” subforum. Everything you’ll need to know. I have a 2X which seems about as magnified as I’d ever want.

/forums/1087784/ShowPost.aspx

3

Donegan Optivisor. The magnification of the OOB lens plate (2 3/4x, working distance 6") is more than adequate for most users, but you can buy additional ones for increased magnification (they can be easily switched out). You can also get accessories such as a battery-powered light, and a loupe for those situations where you need extreme magnification.

http://www.doneganoptical.com/optivisor.php

I think you’ll find them indispensible once you try them…most people do.

4

I recommend it highly, whether you buy the original brand-name Optivisor or some other model.

I bought a cheap (read: Made in China) visor at the Cold Wars wargaming show in Lancaster back in March, for $10, and it is such a help! It came with 2 magnifiers installed, and a loupe on the right eye side.

For $15, I could have gotten the same manufacturer’s lighted version, and now, I wish I had. My work area is relatively well-lit, but it would be nice to have the light focused immediately in front of me, when I’m holding a piece of work.

I wish I had bought it a couple of years ago, because I’ve been losing the ability to focus close in front of my face as I used to be able to do. The visor really helps.

Hope that helps!

Brad

5

Thanks guys for all your help.

6

I tried the Opti-Visor and didn’t like it. Too fidgety for me. The solution was a work lamp with built in magnifier. It’s got a swing arm, mounts to my work bench, has plenty of light, and I can move it around to where I want it.

Relatively cheap off the shelf at Wally-World.

[:)]

7

I have both an Optivisor and the magnifier built into the light and like many things the best answer for you only you will be able to determine. I use the Optivisor for really delicate stuff that I can’t do under the light, but only you can tell. You mentioned that you wear glasses, I do too but not when I building, I am near sighted so what works for me might not work for you. Don’t be arfraid to try any of these at the store with and without your glasses… The main thing is to be honest with yourself. If you won’t wear the visor don’t buy it…

8

I have an Optivisor, bench light with magnifier and a pair of reading glasses that I got for a buck at the Dollar Store. I find the reading glasses to be the best of the bunch.

9

This is what I use as well. I switch between a #3 and #5 lens plate, depending on what I am doing. Nice thing about the optivisor is you can switch lens plates in about 10 seconds. [tup]

10

I used to have a swing arm magnifier, but didn’t like it much. I was always trying to get things into focus. I now use an optivisor of that brand, and love it.

11

Thanks EVERYONE for your input. You guys are great! I’ll digest all this and make a decision.

12

If you’re interested in getting an add-on light, this one should work with the visor you’re using:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000WTVYE/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

13

I concur with Mr. Walker. I have 3 pairs of WalMart reading glasses in +200, +250 and +300 which I having been using for years now. I found that the OptiVisor and light magnifier were to troublesome to use. Was having to move the part or area in and out far to much to get a clear magnification. With the reading glasses just slap them on your face and it is like using your regular glasses except everything is magnified without having to move your head back and for to see correctly.

14

Hey Nicefit, do you have any Fly Fishing shops handy? If so check them out. Some sell a pair of clipons that will grip around the nosepiece and if you wear prescription glasses like me it gives you the option of having the same magnifioation for both eyes so that you don’t get the headaches as from the cheap reading glasses. The pair I found are called “Fisherman Eyewear Magnifiers - Flip’N’Focus”. They were only twenty five $ Canadian.

15

I was over at the jewelry store a couple years ago, and saw them using one that worked well with glasses. Bought one just like it for $25, and never looked back!

gary

16

My vision is a mess! I am very Myopic (nearsightedness) to where everything beyond an inch or two is out of focus without my specs, and add to that Astigmatism and Presbyopia (sadly, this literally interpreted from its greek and latin roots means “Old Man Eyes”.) I am using one of those lighted magnifiers on an arm but find there some anoyances, such as it must be paralell to the work to avoid distortion and finding I somethimes hit against it when hand brushing a small part. I considered some alternatives such as the optivisor or even a pair of reading glasses placed over my normal glasses. My current bifocal strength seems to be fine for general reading, so I hate to go too strong, but the bifocals aren’t enough for hobby work! What to do?

17

Thanks for the tip, I’ll check it out!

I saw the same ones on one of the dealer tables at Jerseycon this weekend, too. But I budgeted for other things in the dealer mart [;)]