Hello Folks
As somebody new to this hobby, I’m curious about the best sort of magnification device for general model building (I’ve already discovered that trying to build an HO caboose working with a 5X loupe is not a great idea!).
My guess is that one mounted on a swivel arm and surrounded by a circular fluorescent tube is a good place to start, but my primary question concerns the level of magnification that is most effective.
I assume that, as a general rule, the more powerful the better, but I know enough about optics to know that with the more powerful magnification comes distortion, particularly at the edges of the field of view.This suggests there is probably an optimum magnification for general model building in HO scale.
Throughout the myriad advertisements in ModelRailroader for all sorts of lovely - and expensive - tools for the modeller, there seem to be very few for magnifiers.
Maybe one of you nice folks out there - or one of our editors - is prepared to do a feature article in our magazine (Hint!-Hint!).
Your advice will be gratefully received.
That’s what I use, a magnifyer surrounded by a fluorescent bulb. Combined with my reading glasses, it works great for me. I have an optivisor clone, but don’t really like it because it has too much magnification and I have to have it almost on top of whatever I’m looking at. Also the sides and top are plastic, meaning I can only see forward and down, too restrictive to me. And of course you need lots of light to use such a visor, so a light/magnifyer works best for me. I got mine at Staples for around $50.00, don’t know what the magnification it but it suits me.
[#ditto]
This one works well for me as well.
The optivisor gets too hot around the eyes for me.
Johnboy out…
James:1 Verse:5
Same as above !
Mine is attached to the kitchen table and works well for me
I dont know what I would without my Opti-visor. I have tried magifiers but found I wanted to have it move with me.
Dave
I suspect we all have our favourites in this respect. I also happen to have the Opti-Visor, and would not be without it. However, I have no experience with the stand-alone system…I suspect I would be happy to have it as well, since both provide the same function…just differently.
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Department&ID=32 has a variety of magnifiers. My prefference has always been the Optivisor or equivalent clone as I do a lot of up-close detail work. They come in 8", 10" & 12" distance (from object), models. I cut out the roof of my optivisors with my Dremel to allow me to look up without having to tilt the visor up, (it also makes them less claustrophobic(sp?). Micromart also has a lightweight version.
The light/magnifiers tend to have a small focus fields and have always caused me more eyestrain and for me, are more difficult to judge depth with. A wide rectangular lense would probably help if you can find on.
The other important thing with magnification is good light. I use 2 adjustable desk lamps with 100w equivalent compact flourescent bulbs, (they sure cut down the heat!).
One of the best things I’ve used is a 3.00 power pair of reading glasses I got at a hardware store for a buck. I also have a big lighted lens and an optivisor but the reading glasses get used the most. You can even put em on over your bifocals,hang em on your nose, and watch the Seahawks beat the Packers next weekend, through the tops of your glasses.
I bought a cheap, generic optivisor for $5. Has 3 different power lenses and works great! I like visors better because it’s a pain to drag a magnifying lamp around to where you need it.[2c]