Not really Armour/AFV but there isn't really a suitable forum to choose. Anyway, I am building a Panther so this should count.

I'mgetting older and my eyes aren't what they were. I have reading glasses and these help a lot, but it became apparent this weekend that eye glasses just aren't enough when dealing with really fine detail. I was thinking I might need a magnifier too.

Do any of you use magnifiers and is it a positive experience? I thought they might get in the way and be more trouble than they're worth?

Optivisors don’t work for me so I have had to use a desktop magnifier and I added the light for better visibility for painting. I really like it and it works for me.
https://www.amazon.com/YOUKOYI-Magnifying-Metal-Swing-Magnifier/dp/B07F8R4GZ6?ref_=ast_sto_dp

I got some stronger reading glasses, I use +2.0 for reading and computer work and modelling I switch to +3.0, +3.5 or +4.0 depending on what I am doing.
More light helps a little as well.
When the reading glasses arent strong enough I add one of these


There are lots of different types and price ranges.
The built-in lights are usually worthless unless you get the more expensive ones. Adding an extra lamp to your work table is better.
Sometimes I also stack two reading glasses, adding a +3.5 set to my +2.0 readers makes a huge difference, looks really odd though but I don't care
I have a +3.5 set where the temples have broken off (cheap stuff) but now I can slide them inside my readers if I have to get close.

I use a desk top magnifier with a light as well, even with this I still get cross-eyed trying to work on different kits or subassemblies, the only real issue I find with these devices is not having enough room between it and my work to allow a paint brush to get in there without bumping into the fixture, it may get a little warm sometimes but it also serves to speed up the drying time of something just painted. Would be lost without it frankly. I would suggest comparing different models and try to get one with a large lens and if available, one with an LED light which would probably be cooler.

I bought a magnifying lamp with led lights and find it helps me very much. I agree it can get in the way but you do get used to it fast. Mine is the daylight company dn1300. I went for this as it has a 7 inch lens, having used a smaller one this is much better.

Not cheap but good quality, and great level of light without getting too hot. I didn’t use this retailer, just for reference;

https://www.heamar.co.uk/daylight-magnifying-lamps/74205-daylight-mag-lamp-xl-5022737013004.html


Good luck!

Having had a desktop magnifier and an Optivisor, I finally settled on a set of magnifying reader glasses. They are:
lighter
cooler
less claustrophobic
give peripheral vision for grabbing tools
can be switched + or - instantly
don't get in your way
are less expensive
I have them from +2 to +7 at the side of my workbench. You can get the +2 to +4's at the dollar store for a few dollars, the +5 to +7's online for about $20 each. It still works out to less than an Optivisor or good bench magnifier.
I've been using this glasses system for about 15 years now and it's worked out fantastic for me.
Plus I have several Ott-Lites for bright daylight balanced lighting.

I have an assortment of various strength reading glasses onto
which I clip these flip up magnifiers for extra magnification...
they are cheap and work very well. My work area is very well lit
so I don"t need the extra lighting.

https://www.micromark.com/-4-00-Clip-On-Magnifying-Lenses_2?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzo2xgbCv7AIVhQiICR0MVQ2LEAQYBSABEgJXofD_BwE

Cheers,

I primarily use my desktop magnifying lamp, I find it adequate for most situations, but I also have a headset with lamp and interchangeable magnifying lenses for real close in work.

Thankyou for your feedback everybody. I found it interesting and informative.

I went with the YOUKOYI x5 LED magnifier. It wasn't cheap, but I just wasn't keen on headwear for some reason.