Optivisor Frustration

[Bluesky78987]

Hi All. So, I got a set of those magnifying glasses things. Not an exactly an optivisor, but one that looks like a headlamp with the lenses dangling from it. More comfortable than the optivisor, which made my eyes cross and didn't seem to fit my head.

Works great, makes things look bigger. Except, the focus distance is way too close -- I have to hold whatever I'm working on like 6 inches from my eyes to see it.

I read on the internet that "too close of focus distance" means you're wearing too strong of lenses (at least for reading glasses). Problem is, when I wear the less strong ones, the focal distance seems to be the same, just the item appears less magnified.

Help? Anybody run into this? I'd like my jewelry projects to appear nice and huge, so I can see every little flaw and screwup (and oh there are so many!), but I'd like to be able to hold things at the normal viewing distance.

Oh, in case it matters, I'm near sighted. So I can see the stuff just fine without the glasses; I just want to see it bigger. Table-mounted magnifier with light is on its way for home, but I need something portable for class.

Thanks!

[Tousled Owl]

Ultimately, the answer are the Craft-Optics "binoculars". Absurdly expensive, but they work. They advertise in the wire-wrap magazines, Rio Grande has them in their line.

The way I calculate things, the amount saved from avoiding do-overs (time as well as materials) and the enjoyment from being able to see what's happening at the ends of your fingers, these pay for themselves pretty quickly.

My $0.02.

Thanks,
Jack

[The Dad_Ohs]

I know that the Optivisors have different lenses for different distances from your work piece. if yours has replaceable lenses you just need to find the right ones, especially if you wear glasses like I do. The distances/power that you would use change at that point if you're not wearing your glasses with the visors.

[Pat]

Optivisors have different lenses and fit over your glasses. What Mario said. The part that goes around your head is also adjustable. I use mine all the time.

Harbor Freight sells a variety of them for just a couple of dollars. HF's has a light on each side, but that requires batteries which made the entire thing too heavy. I removed the battery/light assembly. I can wear my glasses under this model, too.

The HF model also uses velcro to keep it on your head.

[unclestu]

Wow I just went to the Craft optics website. Those are the perfect solution for my situation. As soon as I get my next eye exam and Rx change I will be ordering a pair.
Thanks Jack

Stu

[Rockoonz]

I just wear cheap reading glasses or the bifocal safety glasses with reading lenses.

Lee

[johnjsgems]

Generally the more power the closer the focal range. Optivisor's 2X is about 10" focal range as I recall. Focal range gets closer with higher magnification. That is why you see them flipped up most of the time and lowered only to check their work.

[Bluesky78987]

Thanks all!

[FrogAndBearCreations]

I have the optivisor with several strengths of lenses, it works great!

but for my wraps I just use reading glasses that I picked in a strength to be at the distance I work at.

the optivisor I use for carving and scrimshaw

[Tousled Owl]

Hey, Stu - I got my partner Jilly a pair of these for Christmas last year and they have definitely aided her accuracy and consistency with wrapping. She wears contacts while wrapping, so we got the "improved reading glasses" version, since they don't do prescription versions for anything other than myopia (astigmatism, etc - or didn't at the time we were looking, anyhow).

If you DO get the prescription version, you can check to see if the cost might be covered under a FlexPlan if you happen to belong to such in your insurance coverage. There's some information on their web site about the topic, but you probably want to check with your plan administrator to get definitive word.

We did NOT get the LED add-on light, but if your work environment is not well lit, I can imagine this would be worthwhile, even given its cost. My philosophy is if you can't see what you're doing, it's all downhill from there.

Regards,
Jack