magnifying glass with lighting?

[55F]

I'm looking to purchase a magnifying glass, possibly with a built in light.  I need a little help these days as advancing years and deteriorating eyesight take their toll.  Any  suggestions based on your experience of such aids would be very much appreciated.  Thank you

[crompton 33]

You can get one's like this http://cpc.farnell.com/modelcraft/pop1765/magnifier-headband-4-lenses-led/dp/TL08789?ost=light+with+magnifier&iscrfnonsku=false&ddkey=http%3Aen-CPC%2FCPC_United_Kingdom%2Fsearch  OR  This one http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-elec/pel00797/led-magnifier-lamp-5-60-leds/dp/LA0579706?ost=la0579706&iscrfnonsku=false&ddkey=http%3Aen-CPC%2FCPC_United_Kingdom%2Fsearch

Edited December 18, 2017 by crompton 33

[crompton 33]

Then there is this one. http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-elec/pel00797/led-magnifier-lamp-5-60-leds/dp/LA0579706?ost=la0579706&iscrfnonsku=false&ddkey=http%3Aen-CPC%2FCPC_United_Kingdom%2Fsearch

[smokebox]

You can get one's like this http://cpc.farnell.com/modelcraft/pop1765/magnifier-headband-4-lenses-led/dp/TL08789?ost=light+with+magnifier&iscrfnonsku=false&ddkey=http%3Aen-CPC%2FCPC_United_Kingdom%2Fsearch  OR  This one http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-elec/pel00797/led-magnifier-lamp-5-60-leds/dp/LA0579706?ost=la0579706&iscrfnonsku=false&ddkey=http%3Aen-CPC%2FCPC_United_Kingdom%2Fsearch

I bought a cheaper version of this from a small model shop a few years ago for just £9.99. I find it perfectly OK and can use it with my normal spectacles on too.

[PatB]

With the magnifier lamps, try and get a look through the lens before buying if you can. I bought a fluoro ring type (not an especially cheap one either) a few years ago and the lens is so poor that it's basically unuseable. I still use it as a bench lamp  but need other magnifying devices.

Edited December 19, 2017 by PatB

[Enterprisingwestern]

I personally can't get on with these, as useful as they undoubtedly are, I've forever got the model under the glass and the part I'm attaching above the glass.

 

Mike.

[Andy Hayter]

Like Mike, they don't work for me.  I find that a pair of very strong reading glasses and a bright light work much better for me.  My pair is sold as +3.5 when my prescription is +1.

[meil]

Get yourself one of these: http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/headband-magnifier-with-led-light/614774-1000?glCountry=GB&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjYXN2e2V2AIV9TLTCh1AcQCvEAkYAyABEgK8kfD_BwE

[dhjgreen]

Like Mike, they don't work for me. I find that a pair of very strong reading glasses and a bright light work much better for me. My pair is sold as +3.5 when my prescription is +1.

I did something similar, I got a special pair of prescription glasses +2 dioptres.

 

For those that do not wear glasses, the cheap ones from local shops are better than single lens magnifiers (stereo vision) and better quality lenses than the head mounted devices.

Edit: I use a bright light too.

Edited December 19, 2017 by dhjgreen

[tractor_37260]

I'm looking to purchase a magnifying glass, possibly with a built in light.  I need a little help these days as advancing years and deteriorating eyesight take their toll.  Any  suggestions based on your experience of such aids would be very much appreciated.  Thank you

 

Try Maplins, they normally have some of these type of lamps in stock, occasionally on special offer..

[66C]

I went for one of these - it is also an excellent work light.

 

https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/22w-fluorescent-magnifying-craft-lamp-a29ff

 

Regards.

[BoD]

If you wear spectacles I found these (fairly) cheap and they work.

 

http://www.betterlifehealthcare.com/view/clip-on-spectacle-magnifying-glass/2589/?ref=google_base&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgsKzo_-V2AIVh7_tCh1IGg47EAYYASABEgLWP_D_BwE

 

Usual disclaimers.

[stewartingram]

I bought one of these as a replacement for my old broken one, from the Ally Pally show this year, it doubles up as a desk light (in the conservatory) and a magnifier for modelling. Nice bright leds, with a daylight effect that seems similar to the old lamp it replaced. I find it ideal for my use, though I added a narrow strip of insulation tape around the outer edge to reduce glare.

 

Stewart

 

 

 

[spikey]

As Crompton 33 suggests, you can pay £50 + post for a headband magnifier from Farnell's, or you can pay £6.79 including post for much the same thing from various bods in China e.g.  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Head-Magnifier-with-2-LED-Lights-Magnifying-glass-hands-free-LED-Lamp-Headband/272867104103?epid=922596085&hash=item3f88259567:g:ozsAAOSwZJBX~dJv IMO that's got to be worth a try, but if you're in a hurry, the same thing's available from several UK suppliers at a tenner, posted.

 

I'm in much the same boat as the OP eyesight-wise, and if nothing else can vouch for the fact that the first thing to do is improve your task lighting as much as you can.  Bright lighting really does make a big difference.

Edited December 19, 2017 by spikey

[clecklewyke]

I am in the same situation abd have had difficulty finding a cost-effective solution - prices of decent aids range from 10s to thousands of pounds. 

 

If you are having serious eye sight difficulties you need professional help. 

 

Your GP can refer you for a Low Vision Assessment, which will allow you to try out and borrow alternative solutions but beware, waiting times can be long so shop around. Last week Darlington was quoting five months but I managed to get an appointment in Harrogate in January. I'lll report how I get on.

 

Good luck!

 

Ian

Edited December 19, 2017 by clecklewyke

[Chamby]

I bought a great lamp from hobbycraft with a ring of bright LEDs around the lens. It lasted about two months before the plastic mounting that slots into the base disintegrated, rendering it useless.

 

So avoid one with a plastic connection to the base!

[peterfgf]

I'm looking to purchase a magnifying glass, possibly with a built in light.  I need a little help these days as advancing years and deteriorating eyesight take their toll.  Any  suggestions based on your experience of such aids would be very much appreciated.  Thank you

RS Components do a range of illuminated hand-held magnifying glasses.  https://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/test-measurement/magnification/handheld-magnifiers/?searchTerm=magnifying%20glass

I have, and can recommend, the 8X version 528-5284 but there is also a cheaper 3X version.

Peterfgf

[Marly51]

I have an original Anglepoise heavy duty magnifying lamp with the ‘ring’ fluorescent tube and it has a superb glass lens. The stand and mountings for wall or desk are all metal and adjustable. I find it quite frustrating that many modern lamps are not fit for purpose, often made with too thin supports. This magnifying lamp was purchased second hand in the 1980s and proved an essential piece of equipment throughout my graphic design career, so I am used to working with it. I sometimes use my husband’s headband magnifier (a recent purchase), but it does get quite warm and I can only use it for short spells - usually while cleaning up and painting miniature plastic figures.

Marlyn

[peter220950]

I have the Anglepoise type, with a fluorescent ring, but like some others tend to find it difficult to work with. I now mainly use it just as a light source, and wear magnifying glasses or a head visor.

 

However the aim of the post is not to influnce your choice, it's more of a warning.

 

As a child we used to set fire to pieces of paper by focusing sunlight through a lens. I can confirm that this also works with desk magnifiers, and have the burn mark on furniture to prove it. Keep them away from the window when not in use.

 

Peter

[hayfield]

I  bought something like this from the Robert Dyas chain 3 or 4 years ago

 

http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/compact-flexi-magnifier-lamp/633058-1000?glCountry=GB&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjL_coYW52AIVCrvtCh1wAQEYEAQYAyABEgLKYvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Well worth the money

[Dunsignalling]

Argos do one for £29.99 that looks almost the same as two (one with a magnifier and one without) that I've been using quite happily for a number of years. Worth checking out.

 

John

[ejstubbs]

I find that a pair of very strong reading glasses and a bright light work much better for me.  My pair is sold as +3.5 when my prescription is +1.

 

My prescription is +3.5!  I use one of the headband magnifiers, like the one in the Hobbycraft link.  I might give the Lloyds pharmacy one a try, though - it looks less unwieldy, and I don't actually need the LED light.

Edited January 2, 2018 by ejstubbs

[ROSSPOP]

https://eileensemporium.com/images/com_hikashop/upload/headband.jpg

 

I can recommend Eileen`s Emp..... version at £20 plus P&p

 

i`ve tried the Lloyds spectacle version but they add extra weight on my specs and slip down/ dig in to my `snitch` on hot sweaty days.......

 

John

[Marly51]

I went for one of these - it is also an excellent work light.

 

https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/22w-fluorescent-magnifying-craft-lamp-a29ff

 

Regards.

My husband bought one of these lamps and finds it an excellent general work light, but as he does most of his work on computer nowadays, only uses the magnifying lense occasionally. Like you, our eyesight is not what it was!

Hope you find a good option which suits your way of working?

Marlyn

[Broadway Clive]

For several years I've used these regularly often on a daily basis. I specified a daylight fluorescent tube and found a better selection and cheaper prices on illuminated magnifiers away from the modelling specialists. I prefer to do all detailing work under it, but sometimes depth of field is a problem and the cheap headband magnifier solves that. The pound shop reading specs  are my normal wear at the modelling work bench.