Hi,
As I get older, my eyesight is beginning to struggle and I find painting small detail particularly difficult.
I'm considering an OptiVisor headset but as I haven't been able to find anywhere local to try one I am a bit hesitant. They are expensive in the UK - about £45 (or $67).
I don't mind paying that sort of money if they are great and solve the problem but it is quite an unknown.
Adding to the dilemma is that OptiVisor come with a single lens so I would need to choose whether to have a 2.5x (10") or a 2.5x (8") or a 3.0x (6") I think any bigger is getting too close for comfortable painting.
I have seen plenty of cheap alternatives on eBay most come with 4 different lenses and are priced at less than £10 (
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Optivisor - Worth It?
nheather
Joined: November 12, 2007
KitMaker: 295 posts
Armorama: 204 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 10:05 PM UTC
WARDUKWNZ
Joined: June 01, 2011
KitMaker: 1,716 posts
Armorama: 1,638 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 10:27 PM UTC
Nigel,, Ever since i got diabetes my eye sight has turned to custard and like you its bloody hard to paint the small stuff,,so i got a magnified head set and never looked back..i found that painting with the lenses for both eyes makes painting ten times easier than using only one ..depth aint a problem with these ..do yourself a favor mate and get one ..hell even the cheap ones work well ..mine cost $25 NZ ,,has three lenses and a powerful LED light ..its brilliant mate 
Phill
Phill
Thudius
Joined: October 22, 2012
KitMaker: 1,194 posts
Armorama: 1,077 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 10:29 PM UTC
For what it's worth, I got one of the cheapies off of ebay and it works fine. Mine has the flip down extra magnification and the swivel glass for one eye. I believe it was 1.5/2.5 and 4 x magnification. I use it almost constantly and so far haven't had any issues and the "glass" is reasonably distortion free, it's not perfect, but more than good enough. The lights that are mounted on the sides are pretty useless though. For roughly a tenner delivered, I'm not complaining.
Kimmo
Kimmo
WARCLOUD
Joined: March 31, 2012
KitMaker: 280 posts
Armorama: 274 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 10:33 PM UTC
In this world today, we are constantly faced with the flood of cheap Chinese goods flooding in. The question is this: Is the expensive unit actually any different from the cheap one? Or is it the cheap one just marked up by an unscrupulous merchant? I've had this experience before in other areas..
I am in the same boat as you..I'm now 58, headed rapidly toward 59. Used to be able to freehand paint dials in 1/72 aircraft panels or eyeballs on 1/35 soldier figures...no more. Sadly, age catches us all eventually.
I have a large industrial arm lamp with a magnifying glass in the center and a round fluorescent lamp tube around it. Commonly used for shops that service electronics, this tool has proven indispensible.
For the super-tiny things now impossible at my age..I bought a binocular microscope from an Ebay retailer. It's amazing. I use the lowest power eyepieces in it (the high power lenses are just insane, I don't want to see THAT close) and it sits comfortably on my workbench. There is enough space between the base and the lens to get any 1/35 figure in there and focus, and manipulate a tiny brush where I want it.
I actually use it more for radios...I love radios...but have used it to detail uniforms, small arms, control panels, anything now beyond the close in focus ability of my aging eyes.
I have tried some of the cheaper magnifying headsets available from places like Hobby Lobby in the US, and didn't really get what I needed from them.
I am in the same boat as you..I'm now 58, headed rapidly toward 59. Used to be able to freehand paint dials in 1/72 aircraft panels or eyeballs on 1/35 soldier figures...no more. Sadly, age catches us all eventually.
I have a large industrial arm lamp with a magnifying glass in the center and a round fluorescent lamp tube around it. Commonly used for shops that service electronics, this tool has proven indispensible.
For the super-tiny things now impossible at my age..I bought a binocular microscope from an Ebay retailer. It's amazing. I use the lowest power eyepieces in it (the high power lenses are just insane, I don't want to see THAT close) and it sits comfortably on my workbench. There is enough space between the base and the lens to get any 1/35 figure in there and focus, and manipulate a tiny brush where I want it.
I actually use it more for radios...I love radios...but have used it to detail uniforms, small arms, control panels, anything now beyond the close in focus ability of my aging eyes.
I have tried some of the cheaper magnifying headsets available from places like Hobby Lobby in the US, and didn't really get what I needed from them.
WARDUKWNZ
Joined: June 01, 2011
KitMaker: 1,716 posts
Armorama: 1,638 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 10:44 PM UTC
Quoted Text
The lights that are mounted on the sides are pretty useless though. For roughly a tenner delivered, I'm not complaining.
Kimmo
I had the same problem Kimmo ,,mine is mounted in the center of the head set ,,so i replaced the two weak LED's with two 17000 MCD LED's ..light is not a problem now
Phill
nheather
Joined: November 12, 2007
KitMaker: 295 posts
Armorama: 204 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 11:10 PM UTC
So consensus so far is that a headset is definitely worth it.
But sounds like the cheapies do the job.
The optivisor is real glass so I suspect it lets through more light and has less distortion but it is almost 5x the price. But the biggest uncertainly for me with the optivisor is that it is a fixed lens. So I would need to be absolutely sure what magnificationfocal length would be best for me and since I don't have any where I can try them that would be very difficult.
You can get alternative lenses for the OptiVisor but they are expensive and not quick to change over.
If I knew the exact OptiVisor that was right for me I would go for it. As I don't I think it would be safer to go with a cheap ebay one.
Cheers,
Nigel
But sounds like the cheapies do the job.
The optivisor is real glass so I suspect it lets through more light and has less distortion but it is almost 5x the price. But the biggest uncertainly for me with the optivisor is that it is a fixed lens. So I would need to be absolutely sure what magnificationfocal length would be best for me and since I don't have any where I can try them that would be very difficult.
You can get alternative lenses for the OptiVisor but they are expensive and not quick to change over.
If I knew the exact OptiVisor that was right for me I would go for it. As I don't I think it would be safer to go with a cheap ebay one.
Cheers,
Nigel
FAUST
#130
Joined: June 07, 2002
KitMaker: 8,797 posts
Armorama: 4,190 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 11:21 PM UTC
I have one of these that I'm using every now and then when the small parts get too small for me to see. Nothing wrong with the eyes so far but it is a great aid. I got it as a gift but I think it came from these cheap euro stores you got everywhere these days. Just the spectacles frame with 3 or 4 lenses with several grades of magnification.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnifying-Spectacles-Extensions-treatments-Semi-permanent/dp/B007OUK4W8
Really cheap and it does the job. Changing lenses is a matter of taking the lens of the clamp in front of you and click in another one. Plus I like the fact that it really only is the lens in front of you so you can still look around and see everything. One thing that is a bit of a downside to these magnifyers (and I noticed the same with the Optivisor... which I borrowed for short while to test it) is the fact that you tend to bend your head more to look through the lens. Which you will really feel in your neck after an evening of using it. That and the fact that you look a bit like a mad professor wearing it.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnifying-Spectacles-Extensions-treatments-Semi-permanent/dp/B007OUK4W8
Really cheap and it does the job. Changing lenses is a matter of taking the lens of the clamp in front of you and click in another one. Plus I like the fact that it really only is the lens in front of you so you can still look around and see everything. One thing that is a bit of a downside to these magnifyers (and I noticed the same with the Optivisor... which I borrowed for short while to test it) is the fact that you tend to bend your head more to look through the lens. Which you will really feel in your neck after an evening of using it. That and the fact that you look a bit like a mad professor wearing it.
Thudius
Joined: October 22, 2012
KitMaker: 1,194 posts
Armorama: 1,077 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 11:34 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextThe lights that are mounted on the sides are pretty useless though. For roughly a tenner delivered, I'm not complaining.
Kimmo
I had the same problem Kimmo ,,mine is mounted in the center of the head set ,,so i replaced the two weak LED's with two 17000 MCD LED's ..light is not a problem now
Phill
Will have to check that out, thanks
Gluefumes
Joined: March 18, 2007
KitMaker: 14 posts
Armorama: 13 posts
KitMaker: 14 posts
Armorama: 13 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 11:57 PM UTC
Hi there
I had the same choice.
I went with the Optiviser, make sure to go with the glass lenses as glass gives a clearer image.
Tried cheap china acrylic ones, no comparison.
I still regard these as one of the best choices I made.
M.
I had the same choice.
I went with the Optiviser, make sure to go with the glass lenses as glass gives a clearer image.
Tried cheap china acrylic ones, no comparison.
I still regard these as one of the best choices I made.
M.
ubisuck
Joined: December 20, 2012
KitMaker: 461 posts
Armorama: 255 posts
Posted: Monday, September 16, 2013 - 12:50 AM UTC
Have the same one and your review were taken right out of my mouth: It's not perfect, but more than good enough. I removed the two lights and added on one side a LED flashlight that I paid 2$ at a Dollarama (a 1$ store) and tied them with 2 tiewrap and when it's needed, I push the on-off button on the flashlight and get the little illumination I need. For the cheap price I paid on eBay, I feel it's a good buy and it really helps me. If someone wants a photo, just tell me.
Marc
Marc
Quoted Text
For what it's worth, I got one of the cheapies off of ebay and it works fine. Mine has the flip down extra magnification and the swivel glass for one eye. I believe it was 1.5/2.5 and 4 x magnification. I use it almost constantly and so far haven't had any issues and the "glass" is reasonably distortion free, it's not perfect, but more than good enough. The lights that are mounted on the sides are pretty useless though. For roughly a tenner delivered, I'm not complaining.
Kimmo
SdAufKla
Joined: May 07, 2010
KitMaker: 2,238 posts
Armorama: 2,158 posts
Posted: Monday, September 16, 2013 - 12:57 AM UTC
The first thing I do when I walk into my workroom is to put my visor on and taking it off is the last thing I do when I leave. I use the 2x lenses and rarely ever even experiment with the other magnifications anymore.
Like you, I waffled (for way too long in my case) before I finally broke down and bought one of the less expensive options. I've used my "cheapo" visor for years now and find that the optics part of it still work fine (despite 100's of cleanings).
The only thing that I don't like about my "cheapo" visor is the quality of the headband, and the thumbscrews that adjust the tension at the temples are becoming worn and no longer hold without constant tightening. So, I'm looking very hard at purchasing an Optivisor brand to replace my current visor.
I'm expecting higher quality and more comfort with the headband since I wear my visor for hours at a time.
As to your basic question, though, if you get a visor, I think you'll be amazed and wonder why you waited so long. It only takes a bit of getting used to before the working distance becomes habit, and the difference in what you can see and do is remarkable.
BTW, Micro-Mark is offering this Optivisor special:
Micro-Mark::Optivisor Special Offer
HTH,
Like you, I waffled (for way too long in my case) before I finally broke down and bought one of the less expensive options. I've used my "cheapo" visor for years now and find that the optics part of it still work fine (despite 100's of cleanings).
The only thing that I don't like about my "cheapo" visor is the quality of the headband, and the thumbscrews that adjust the tension at the temples are becoming worn and no longer hold without constant tightening. So, I'm looking very hard at purchasing an Optivisor brand to replace my current visor.
I'm expecting higher quality and more comfort with the headband since I wear my visor for hours at a time.
As to your basic question, though, if you get a visor, I think you'll be amazed and wonder why you waited so long. It only takes a bit of getting used to before the working distance becomes habit, and the difference in what you can see and do is remarkable.
BTW, Micro-Mark is offering this Optivisor special:
Micro-Mark::Optivisor Special Offer
HTH,
exer
Joined: November 27, 2004
KitMaker: 6,048 posts
Armorama: 4,619 posts
Posted: Monday, September 16, 2013 - 03:00 AM UTC
I got one last year and it works brilliantly. It has four interchangeable lenses but I only use one. It has an LED light on top that swivels.
This is the one I have I got it in Maplins where it was a bit more expensive than advertised on Amazon.
Definitely worth it though
This is the one I have I got it in Maplins where it was a bit more expensive than advertised on Amazon.
Definitely worth it though
chumpo
Joined: August 30, 2010
KitMaker: 749 posts
Armorama: 521 posts
Posted: Monday, September 16, 2013 - 03:22 AM UTC
I guess the cheaper one's have plastic lenses and the more expensive ones have real glass , well to put it to clean the plastic ones you have to be carefull of the cleaning solution the glass well they are bullet proof, you can use alcohol or even lacquer thinner to get the grime and residue off. Either way they can certainly help with the vision .
Plasticbattle
#003
Joined: May 14, 2002
KitMaker: 9,763 posts
Armorama: 7,444 posts
Posted: Monday, September 16, 2013 - 03:33 AM UTC
I also bought a cheap one without lights .. for about £8 or £9. Probably is not as good as the real/glass verion, but it is still a big lift comparing to the naked eye. I´ll prpbably get a proper one at some point, but the cheapie works fine for now. 
nheather
Joined: November 12, 2007
KitMaker: 295 posts
Armorama: 204 posts
Posted: Monday, September 16, 2013 - 03:40 AM UTC
The cheap 4 lens ones sound like great value but I'm still tempted by the OptiVisor for the build quality and the glass lens.
If I was confident what magnification I needed I would probably go ahead and buy one.
I'm figuring that whilst magnification is fine, if the focal length gets too short then it will be difficult to get a paint brush at the work.
Those that have the 4 lens type but say you only use one of them, which one is it that you use.
Cheers,
Nigel
If I was confident what magnification I needed I would probably go ahead and buy one.
I'm figuring that whilst magnification is fine, if the focal length gets too short then it will be difficult to get a paint brush at the work.
Those that have the 4 lens type but say you only use one of them, which one is it that you use.
Cheers,
Nigel
panzerbob01
Joined: March 06, 2010
KitMaker: 3,128 posts
Armorama: 2,959 posts
Posted: Monday, September 16, 2013 - 04:12 AM UTC
I am solidly with Gary Roberts.
I use an illuminated large-lens draftman's swing-arm lamp - clamped to the end of the bench and reaches almost anywhere - swivel in, look or work, swivel out and also use as a directable work-lamp.
And, when things need a real close look, I roll the chair over to the dissecting microscope and take a look as needed. Way to go, IF you need to look at TINY bits and you switch-hit to looking at and photo-ing wee beasties swimming about in droplets of pond water! Nothing beats a Wild-Leica binoc dissecting scope for looking at a model-bit close up!
I tried both cheapo and "Optivisor" things. The missus got me some as a gift at one point - actually worked OK, but I did find that they became heavy on the head, and I did find I was peering down more and the neck could feel it after a bit. That, and as my eyes really differ - one being near-sighted, one far... looking thru the large magnifier simply worked better.
Different strokes... Many folks really swear by "Optivisor-type things". DO try some out before you plunk down biggish money on one! Maybe you can find a cheapo version at some store (Harbor Freight or such, here in the 'States) and see if that sort of thing is what you want, and then search for a good deal on a better unit off the web or evilbay?
Bob
I use an illuminated large-lens draftman's swing-arm lamp - clamped to the end of the bench and reaches almost anywhere - swivel in, look or work, swivel out and also use as a directable work-lamp.
And, when things need a real close look, I roll the chair over to the dissecting microscope and take a look as needed. Way to go, IF you need to look at TINY bits and you switch-hit to looking at and photo-ing wee beasties swimming about in droplets of pond water! Nothing beats a Wild-Leica binoc dissecting scope for looking at a model-bit close up!
I tried both cheapo and "Optivisor" things. The missus got me some as a gift at one point - actually worked OK, but I did find that they became heavy on the head, and I did find I was peering down more and the neck could feel it after a bit. That, and as my eyes really differ - one being near-sighted, one far... looking thru the large magnifier simply worked better.
Different strokes... Many folks really swear by "Optivisor-type things". DO try some out before you plunk down biggish money on one! Maybe you can find a cheapo version at some store (Harbor Freight or such, here in the 'States) and see if that sort of thing is what you want, and then search for a good deal on a better unit off the web or evilbay?
Bob
alanmac
Joined: February 25, 2007
KitMaker: 3,033 posts
Armorama: 2,953 posts
Posted: Monday, September 16, 2013 - 04:21 AM UTC
Hi Nigel
I may be wrong but the magnification is also linked to the focal length - the point at which it works (focus).
You can get Optivisors for £36 plus postage here.
http://www.moleroda.com/acatalog/Complete_Optivisors.html
I'd say the DA -5 is what most modellers have brought.
I've a cheapy set, and would buy the Optivisors if I was buying again, but to be honest I purchased a really strong pair of reading glasses from Tesco or Poundland I can't remember, and use those all the time.
Worth trying, take a figure or part along in your pocket, try on the glasses and see if you notice an improvement. Added to which the family won't rip the p*ss out of you for wearing them unlike the headband magnifiers.
Alan
I may be wrong but the magnification is also linked to the focal length - the point at which it works (focus).
You can get Optivisors for £36 plus postage here.
http://www.moleroda.com/acatalog/Complete_Optivisors.html
I'd say the DA -5 is what most modellers have brought.
I've a cheapy set, and would buy the Optivisors if I was buying again, but to be honest I purchased a really strong pair of reading glasses from Tesco or Poundland I can't remember, and use those all the time.
Worth trying, take a figure or part along in your pocket, try on the glasses and see if you notice an improvement. Added to which the family won't rip the p*ss out of you for wearing them unlike the headband magnifiers.
Alan
Plasticbattle
#003
Joined: May 14, 2002
KitMaker: 9,763 posts
Armorama: 7,444 posts
Posted: Monday, September 16, 2013 - 04:36 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I'm figuring that whilst magnification is fine, if the focal length gets too short then it will be difficult to get a paint brush at the work.
Those that have the 4 lens type but say you only use one of them, which one is it that you use.
This would make sense to me .... you very quickly hold what you´re working on within the fixed focus range and this becomes natural very quickly. Changing class could cause problems ... not that I have this option with my cheapy. I have reading glasses as well; +1.5 and +3. I thought the +3 would be better, but they are not ... its so much easier to use the +1.5. I tend to use the visor more today.
orangelion03
Joined: March 09, 2013
KitMaker: 176 posts
Armorama: 148 posts
Posted: Monday, September 16, 2013 - 05:35 AM UTC
I have this one too and I love it! I've had it for about 10 years. Replaced the anemic light bulb with a multi-LED unit from a headband light. The only thing wrong with it was the adjuster broke a few years in, but I just glued the thing together. I will say that the lenses tend to get scratched easily, but I have "fixed" mine by dipping in Future or polishing with a fine plastic polish/cleaner.
exer
Joined: November 27, 2004
KitMaker: 6,048 posts
Armorama: 4,619 posts
Posted: Monday, September 16, 2013 - 07:33 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Those that have the 4 lens type but say you only use one of them, which one is it that you use.
the one that works
No SeriouslyNot sure which one it is but the one that focuses at about 8-10 inches works best for me, different people probably use different lenses
imatanker
Joined: February 11, 2011
KitMaker: 1,654 posts
Armorama: 1,565 posts
Posted: Monday, September 16, 2013 - 08:33 AM UTC
Nigel, At almost 60 years old and having worn glasses most of my life I can say that an optivisor is well worth the money. Mine are the cheaper model with the plastic lenes. It is unbievable how much easier it makes my builds.They are equipped with a #10 lens,I'm not sure what the magnification is. They did take awhile to get used to,but they work well for me with both painting and assembling.The one thing I have found out is, if you can make what you're doing look good under the visor, it looks outstanding to the naked eye Jeff T.
Jeff T.
SSGToms
Joined: April 02, 2005
KitMaker: 3,608 posts
Armorama: 3,092 posts
Posted: Monday, September 16, 2013 - 12:42 PM UTC
I too now need magnification all the time to get the parts closer and larger. I tried a magnifying lamp but it was too limiting trying to work on models inside that 6" lens.
So I bought a visor and this was much better, but very claustrophobic. I couldn't see anything in my periphery to grab a knife, glue bottle, etc.
So I came up with another idea, and this one has worked outstanding for me. I went online to some eyeglass outlet and bought reader glasses in +3, +4, +5, and +6 for $10 - $15 each. I have the glasses marked by number and hanging on my bench.
I wear the +3 as standard but in half a second I can switch to one of the other glasses to get in closer. They are light on my face, and I can see over and around the lenses to watch TV or find a tool. This system works incredibly well for me and is the best of both worlds.
So I bought a visor and this was much better, but very claustrophobic. I couldn't see anything in my periphery to grab a knife, glue bottle, etc.
So I came up with another idea, and this one has worked outstanding for me. I went online to some eyeglass outlet and bought reader glasses in +3, +4, +5, and +6 for $10 - $15 each. I have the glasses marked by number and hanging on my bench.
I wear the +3 as standard but in half a second I can switch to one of the other glasses to get in closer. They are light on my face, and I can see over and around the lenses to watch TV or find a tool. This system works incredibly well for me and is the best of both worlds.
panzerbob01
Joined: March 06, 2010
KitMaker: 3,128 posts
Armorama: 2,959 posts
Posted: Monday, September 16, 2013 - 01:33 PM UTC
That one definitely works! While I stick with the 8 inch+ lens I have, my late father did exactly Matt's route - several pairs of high-diopter reading glasses. Used them in micro-electronics work for years... and yes, light on the face and not claustrophobic.
Bob
Bob
md72
#439
Joined: November 05, 2005
KitMaker: 4,950 posts
Armorama: 289 posts
Posted: Monday, September 16, 2013 - 02:53 PM UTC
I'll say it's worth it. I've had one for a few years, it's a 4, about 2X magnification, about 10" depth of field. Haven't had much trouble finding the knives safely. I've also got a 10 loupe that I've been trying to master. I've also use 3X readers with some luck. Where to you find them more powerful than 3X? I've hardly ever seen anything over 3.25/3.5
SSGToms
Joined: April 02, 2005
KitMaker: 3,608 posts
Armorama: 3,092 posts
Posted: Monday, September 16, 2013 - 04:13 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I'll say it's worth it. I've had one for a few years, it's a 4, about 2X magnification, about 10" depth of field. Haven't had much trouble finding the knives safely. I've also got a 10 loupe that I've been trying to master. I've also use 3X readers with some luck. Where to you find them more powerful than 3X? I've hardly ever seen anything over 3.25/3.5
You won't find reader glasses higher than 3.25 in a store, you have to go online. You can get +4, +5, and +6 on www.Amazon.com or just Google "+6 reader glasses".
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