Optivisors and other magnifiers

[chris carter]

I have experimented with a lot of solutions because I’ve always had bad vision and particularly bad in low light. As I’m fast approaching 50, my eyes are not focusing on very close work as well either.

Here’s my solution after lots of experimenting:
1) I have a headlamp I wear when woodworking. No matter what I’m doing, if I need extra light, I just hit the button.
2) I have a gooseneck lamp that runs on AAA batteries with a magnetic base. I made a bench dog with a piece of steel on the top and I just mount the lamp to that. It usually just sits in the back corner of my bench. But when I need it, I can just move it to any hold on the bench. I’ve got the typical hole strip on the front of the bench and a bunch of holdfast holes elsewhere, so I can get that light anywhere I need it. So I use the headlamp first, but sometimes the gooseneck lamp is more convenient.
3) I wear reading glasses on top of my head. When I need to focus up close, I just pull them down and then flip them back up on top of my head. I actually wear regular glasses too (-10 diopters, so serious stuff) and I just wear the readers right over the top. In the next couple years I will switch to bifocals, but I’m not quite there yet so this solution works. Looks silly, but it works.

[Rob Luter]

Great comments all. Some more details

I wear corrective lenses for an astigmatism and other vision irregularities. They are also progressive bifocals. The magnification of the "reader" portion isn't too strong (+2.5) but my ophthalmologist doesn't want to go higher with the progressive lenses. We've talked about a special set of glasses for the shop and computer work that increases that magnification area of the lens without increasing the magnification power. Some folks get these for computer work. I'm not entirely sold on the concept but can get a pair at Costco for cheap and may roll the dice. I may just insist he write a prescription for stronger magnification too.

I like the idea of the OptiVisor as it can be flipped up and out of the way. I still have concerns about whether or not it will seem obtrusive and if the field of view will be decent. I don't want to experience the "reading a book through a keyhole" effect. I'm also concerned about whether of not the headgear will fit. I have a big noggin and finding hats that fit is always an adventure.

[John K Jordan]

Maybe you could try a higher power non-progressive bi or trifocal. I use bifocal glasses like this for nighttime driving when the reduced light decreases my distance sharpness.

JKJ

Great comments all. Some more details

I wear corrective lenses for an astigmatism and other vision irregularities. They are also progressive bifocals. The magnification of the "reader" portion isn't too strong (+2.5) but my ophthalmologist doesn't want to go higher with the progressive lenses. We've talked about a special set of glasses for the shop and computer work that increases that magnification area of the lens without increasing the magnification power. Some folks get these for computer work. I'm not entirely sold on the concept but can get a pair at Costco for cheap and may roll the dice. I may just insist he write a prescription for stronger magnification too.

I like the idea of the OptiVisor as it can be flipped up and out of the way. I still have concerns about whether or not it will seem obtrusive and if the field of view will be decent. I don't want to experience the "reading a book through a keyhole" effect. I'm also concerned about whether of not the headgear will fit. I have a big noggin and finding hats that fit is always an adventure.

[Jim Koepke]

I wear corrective lenses for an astigmatism and other vision irregularities. They are also progressive bifocals. The magnification of the "reader" portion isn't too strong (+2.5) but my ophthalmologist doesn't want to go higher with the progressive lenses.

My regular glasses are bifocals, progressives didn't work well for me. At the computer a pair of good reading glasses work best to keep in focus without craning my neck.

In the shop an inexpensive magnifying lamp worked most of the time until it finally became unrepairable. Good light does help a lot.

Bought a Bell & Howell "Tri-Burst Pro" lamp at Lowes > https://www.lowes.com/pd/BELL-HOWELL...ght/5001502095

It looks like they have changed since buying mine. It screws into a regular lamp socket. Mine is mounted in a fixture with a clamp that had a reflector for a normal bulb to hang from a rafter or stud. Mine is rated for a high wattage that is lower than the LED unit. It was originally purchase for an infrared lamp for keeping baby chickens warm out in the greenhouse.

It took a little getting used to because it is BRIGHT. Using it for checking something for square can be a challenge. Moving to the side so as to not stare into the brightness helps.

In the past my regular bifocals have been enhanced by wearing a pair of reading glasses set over them. This was mostly for saw sharpening.

Since then, one of the LED Headband Magnifiers from Lee Valley has done the job > https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop...r?item=99W9732

It shows out of stock, special buy limited stock. This seems weird that it would show up in a search. Maybe there is still one or two laying around. It may be available from another source.

jtk

[Cameron Wood]

I use clip-on magnifiers that I originally got for fly fishing.

They are compatible with the hat, hearing protectors and often respirator that also compete for a place on my head.

[Jim Koepke]

I use clip-on magnifiers that I originally got for fly fishing.

They are compatible with the hat, hearing protectors and often respirator that also compete for a place on my head.

Michaels had those in the sewing department. They worked but didn't have enough magnification for my eyes.

jtk

[Cameron Wood]

Michaels had those in the sewing department. They worked but didn't have enough magnification for my eyes.

jtk

They come in different strengths. The ones I use are +3.00. Unfortunately, the field is now flooded with cheap junk, at least on Amazon, so getting some decent ones can take more than one try.

edit: I think these are the brand to get-

https://www.amazon.com/K1C2-MC300-Li...9659356&sr=8-1

[John K Jordan]

They come in different strengths. The ones I use are +3.00. Unfortunately, the field is now flooded with cheap junk, at least on Amazon, so getting some decent ones can take more than one try.

edit: I think these are the brand to get-

https://www.amazon.com/K1C2-MC300-Li...9659356&sr=8-1

I wonder why these are listed as "K1C2 MC300 Lighting & Magnifiers”. I can’t see where they have lights. Do they?

I see they are available in several magnifications. If normally I wore glasses regularly I’d probably try some, cheap enough.

JKJ

[Maurice Mcmurry]

I guess I should reel in some of my bad H.F. energy and admit that my H.F. magnifier has served me well