Optivisor Recommendations?

[Landlubber Mike]

So I’ve decided to go to the true “dark side” and try out a plastic model with infinitesimal PE add-ons.  Can anyone recommend a good optivisor?  There are a million on Amazon so thought I’d ask around here first.  I don’t mind spending a little extra to get something of better quality.  

 

Thanks in advance!

[kurtvd19]

Mike:

The Optivisor by Donagan Optical Co. with GLASS lenses is the one to get.  The lenses come in different magnifications.  Go to the Donagan web site to see all the different lenses available and then you can search Amazon for the best price.  Stay away from the plastic lenses - I gave my plastic lens unit away after trying a set with glass lenses at a trade show - even before the new set arrived.  They have a magnifying Opti-loupe that can be put on either side and I recommend you get one.  I have the DA-5 and the DA-10 lenses - the 10's are for very close work.  The Opti-loupe lets you get higher magnification w/o having to switch out the lens plate.  I Highly recommend this untit.

https://doneganoptical.com/product/optivisor/

 

Kurt

[ccoyle]

Whatever kind you opt for, I recommend one that has the lenses in some kind of shroud, like the one Kurt linked to. I tried one that has the lenses sorta just dangling out there (like this one), and I found the un-magnified stuff in my peripheral vision very distracting. Plus, the interchangeable snap-in lenses were acrylic, and one of them broke almost immediately. I went back to a $3 visor from Harbor Freight -- works for me, but I bet the Donegal Optical set is pretty nice, too.

[Landlubber Mike]

Thanks guys, this is really helpful.  I really appreciate it!

[garyshipwright]

Does any one have a lighting system on their  Optivisor? I added one but it stop working really shortly after turning it on so am looking for a better one. I like my optivisor but it would be so much better when you add a light to it. Gary

[CDW]

I first had generic magnifying visors before I bought a genuine Optivisor. The difference is night and day. The genuine Optivisor was SO much better than the cheaper generic ones. The better lens quality makes a huge difference.

[Altduck]

I like the one they call the Quasar, with the 6 LED's around the frame.  Micro Mark is one supplier:

 

https://www.micromark.com/Quasar-Lighting-System-for-Optivisor?gclid=Cj0KCQjwyLDpBRCxARIsAEENsrLDhBwUahjs1Q803RRsoqXZJst80AnH3OquphONupWN3kehKJh_Bx0aAi1tEALw_wcB

 

It doesn't stick up and out in front like the single light above the center, and gives nice flat shadow free light.

 

[Richmond]

I have the Carson Pro Magnisvisor Deluxe comes with 4 lenses and LED light.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egJyxIxm9XA

 

[JeffT]

4 hours ago, kurtvd19 said:

Mike:

The Optivisor by Donagan Optical Co. with GLASS lenses is the one to get.  The lenses come in different magnifications.  Go to the Donagan web site to see all the different lenses available and then you can search Amazon for the best price.  Stay away from the plastic lenses - I gave my plastic lens unit away after trying a set with glass lenses at a trade show - even before the new set arrived.  They have a magnifying Opti-loupe that can be put on either side and I recommend you get one.  I have the DA-5 and the DA-10 lenses - the 10's are for very close work.  The Opti-loupe lets you get higher magnification w/o having to switch out the lens plate.  I Highly recommend this untit.

https://doneganoptical.com/product/optivisor/

 

Kurt

 

I have this one and can't live without it.

[Bob Blarney]

I have an optivisor and while it does work ok, it gets tiresome to wear at times.  I think I've found an alternative for some tasks.  Recently my auto remote stopped working and I found that a tiny 4-contact switch had broken off the PC board.  So I soldered it back on (what fun).  I took a couple of pics to illustrate the problem, and then I realized that my cellphone would be very good for close work and more comfortable than the optivisor.  I'm re-engineering a desk lamp to hold the cellphone for this purpose.  Here are the pics that I took while soldering on the switch that show the fine detail. (After re-soldering the switch, I globbed on some DAP RapidFuse superglue to ensure that it will stay in place.)

 

 

Edited July 16, 2019 by Bob Blarney

[CDW]

So the cell phone will be between you and the object you're working on? I'm interested to see a picture of how the cell phone would be utilized.

[Bob Blarney]

The cellphone must mounted on a stand or arm of some sort.  One of the old Luxo extension arm lamps would be perfect for adaptation, or the old semi-rigid gooseneck lamps.  Alternatively. a machinist's dial indicator positioner could work too, but it would be a bit short.

 

I have a background in research surgery, where occasionally one must work through an operating microscope that has a similar magnification range.  It takes a bit of training, but it's doable.  It helps if the forearms are supported, as some people eat at a table with the forearms resting on the edge of the table, near the elbows.  Sometimes, the dominant hand is laid upon the wrist of the non-dominant handarm which is used as artist's maul stick.  

[CDW]

52 minutes ago, Bob Blarney said:

Sometimes, the dominant hand is laid upon the wrist of the non-dominant handarm which is used as artist's maul stick.  

Interesting. That's exactly how i detail paint with a brush and/or an airbrush...use my non-dominant hand/wrist/arm as a guide for the dominant.

[Bob Blarney]

1 hour ago, CDW said:

Interesting. That's exactly how i detail paint with a brush and/or an airbrush...use my non-dominant hand/wrist/arm as a guide for the dominant.

Another technique for fine control on small handheld objects, is to keep the pinky/rings fingertips touching each other.  For instance, try this for threading a needle.