I’m getting old and the eyes aren’t as sharp as they once were. Does anybody know where I can get a reasonably priced (under $50.00) lighted magnifier ( desk lamp style) ?
I looked on E-scam and saw a few I liked, however; after shipping some of them were rather expensive. I’d like to find one at a retail store so I can check out the quality. I’d also like to get a flourescent one if possible.
Thanks for any help.
Dan
Dan, if there are any good train shows around your area they may have them. I know the Great Scale Model Train Show in Timonium, MD usually has one or two vendors selling them. Some with circular flourescent lights. You may also want to check office supply stores like Staples or Office Depot.
Dan,
I picked up a nice lighted magnifier with a base and gooseneck for $25, plus an extra flourescent bulb at the last Ft Washington show. I’ve been using it for over a year and still have the original bulb. I just can’t remember the brand but it works well for my 56-year-old eyes. I’ll check it when I get home.
BTW, there’s a train show this weekend in Allentown - The Spring Thaw - you may see one there.
My wife got me a nice one for around $50 at Staples. But I found I use a variety of different power reading glasses at cost of $3 each just about as often. Sometimes I use them together though.
[:(] I can’t believe they sold the Ft. Washington Convention center. Those shows were great!! Where is the Allentown show ?
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who needs/uses reading glasses and a magnifyer. I got a lighted circular one at Costco years ago. They come and go but it’s worth checking there or a Sam’s club. I’ve even seen them in Wal-Mart on occasion.
Good luck
I was only at one Ft Washington show, but it was pretty good.
The Allentown show is at the Fairgrounds Ag Hall 17th & Chew St. Here’s a link: http://www.allentowntrainmeet.com/
Look at the pdf at the bottom of the page for info and directions.
The office supplies as mentioned. Hobby Lobby and Michaels carry them too. I like the lighted visor style myself. Micro Mark sells both online.
I never cared for the magnifying lamps, the undistorted field of vision is too small. I prefer an Optivisor, mine’s riveted to my head, ($30 or less & also available from Walmart and LHS) and a couple of adjustable desklamps, (now with the “warm” flouresent bulbs to conserve energy and cut down on the heat).
Anyone building models should use magnification no matter what your age and/or the condition of your eyesight. In the long run, you’ll have less eye strain when working with small parts. It’s also one of the cheapest and quickest ways to improve your modeling skills, because you can actually see what you’re doing at the macro level.
I’d be lost without my magnifying lamp which has a circular fluorescent bulb. I have an Optivisor clone and it does magnify more, but the “tunnel vision” of being only able to see in a small area in front of me isn’t to my liking. It blocks out the surrounding area too much, and I have to keep tipping up the lens to see or find something out of my field of view.
I got mine at a local Staples for around $50.00. Previously I had a lamp with an incandescent bulb, but I like the coolness of the fluorescent and the idea that whatever I’m looking at is surrounded with light, no shadows.
Totally agree with Jay. The Optivisor may be the single best investment I’ve made since getting back into the hobby early last year. I’m 54, so presbyopia(the reason we need reading glasses or the contact lens equivalent in people our age) has set in. No way I could have done a multitude of projects without them, e.g. gluing on grab irons, coupler conversions, etc. etc. By the way, get the 2.5 power lenses in them, stronger isn’t better here–higher power requires a shorter working distance–the 2.5 power puts you at a focal length of about 8 inches which is pretty much ideal. They also have a stronger magnifier attachment you can flip over the lens in the visor for the occassional time you might need even greater magnification.
Jim
They got them at osh for around 10.
You might try a medical supply outlet. The type the doctors use are great!. You might be able to find a good used one for a fair price.
Tracklayer
I got reading glasses in three strengths from the local hardware store. They had a sale and I got em for a buck apeice. I also have the visor and a lighted magnifier with a ring shaped flour. light. Now if I could only remember where I put em.
I found one on sale at a Staples store for $25 that uses a circuline fluorescent light.
After trying everything in 30 plus years, I have settled on reading glasses from Dollar Tree and a pole lamp as my final solution. Man, when you put a pair of 2.00 diopter OVER a pair of 2.50 diopter, there ain’t nuthin’ you can’t see !
I found a cheapie at Harbor Freight, that works okay for me. It has an incadescent bulb, but I like it.