Guys,

I'm struggling here with a basic. I hate my B&L eye glass loupe. I thought perhaps the Ary 3.3 would be a good replacement of higher quality.

But, perhaps for depth perception and clarify a double-glass lense would be required ala ASCO or?

I was thinking 3-3.3 power for my pocket watch and using a stronger 4-5 power for small ladies WW. I've used a 14 power examining hairspring/work and the Seitz 20 power for jewel inspection and pivots.

It would be nice if someone could give me a positive recommendation. Like I said, I believe it is the double or triple lenses which make the nice swiss stuff. But the Bergeon's are double and plastic lenses... Don't mind saving a few dollars, but would hate to have to buy another one.

Michael

Michael, I use drug store glass such as 200 power, 300 power, 350 power, also you can put one on top of the other to get 550 power. This way you can see with both eyes. Yes i do have loups of different power.
Cooksey

I use a opti-visor with a number 10 lens for dis-assembly and assembly work.With one of these you can use both eyes. Plus I have a small loupe for the right eye for closer inspection of parts. This is an option for the opti-loupe. ( you can also attach this to the left side if you are left eye dominate.) Since I need reading glasses I have a set of drug store 150 strength so I can see my tools.

If you can get one, get a binocular microscope with 10X and 20X lenses. You need one with a long distance when focussed between lenses and base - mine has around 4 inches. A m/scope for disecting or botanical work would be fine - and the Russians used to do a simple m/scope converted from a pair of binoculars ! And you need good lighting.

I find this a lot easier to work on wristwatch movements than struggle to use a loupe.

If cost is not an object - then surgeons have some wonderful binocular visors.


dan

I use drugstore glasses too-- or ones that I've bought on Ebay that are higher magnification.

I always wondered, though, about the lens quality of the drugstore glasses. I've read that low quality lenses reduce light and also introduce some distortion.

I've also considered having a very high quality/high magnification reading glass made by an optician. I don't see why that wouldn't also work and be pretty comfortable.

Jessica

The only thing the drug store glasses don't correct is astigmatism. Even though I have astigmatism I still can see well with the drug store glasses.

Gentlefolk: This is a tough problem, Generally one would guess that a good loupe like a B&L 2.5, 5, & 10 should do the job since that is what most folks use. For comfort a head spring is good , and cheap. Ascos have a cult following. So I bought some and I think they are marginally better in the blue tint, but I don't know why. If you are not near sighted and must wear glasses , then the clip on two-eye loupes that look like an Optivisor lens plate are quite good and help with two optivisor defects: decreased light because the visor is opaque and inability to find tools on the bench! Flipping up each time is a trial. If you wear glasses and have fairly thick lenses you should consider having an optometrist make up a set of glasses for you at the standard low 2.5x. In my limited experience they do not want to do this as it is foreign to them for someone to work at 3"! They think everyone must work and reade at 18". Bring them a small ladies wristwatch like an FF60 and SHOW them how close and personal you get. I am nearsighted and read at 6-8" and take my glasses off. If you are diabetic keep in mind your lack of control can affect your vision. It is safe to experiment with drugstore glasses. At worst you get a headche. John J. Weigel MD

Thanks John!

That is helpful and I'll try ... I do work on some small ladies watches. I believe my biggest struggle is I'm a fairly inexperienced and concentrate hard. The more comfortable I feel on a watch, the faster I try to work.

No Diabetes yet as I'm only 39. My suitcase instructor used a 3X for PW, 4X for small watches and 15X for hairspring work. The 20X was used for inspecting jewels if the club didn't have a stereo set.

I go to an MD for glasses. I bet he can make up a set for a 3" working distance.

Michael