Head set magnifier recommendations???

[2zwudz]

I’m looking for recommendations on a good head set magnifying goggles for modeling??? I don’t know if it makes a difference but I where glasses.

Edited December 2, 2019 by 2zwudz

[Pete J.]

As far as I am concerned there is only one choice.  Optivisor!  I have been using them over the last 20 years and they have two major advantages.  The first is that they have a plethora of lenses that you can buy separately to accommodate aging eyes.  Second their lenses are ground glass, so a little solvent on them doesn't damage them.  I have been wearing glasses with them for years and I wear them so the top half of my glasses overlap the bottom of the optivisor lenses.  That way I have what is in effect a trifocal.  Works very well for me. 

A quick search of the internet will give you a lot of choices.  Just put in Donegan Optivisor and you will have bunch of sources.  CAUTION- there are a lot of lookalike knockoffs that are just garbage.  Expect to pay about $35 minimum.  It may seem like a lot for a hobby but I assure you, you will find yourself going to them for a lot of chores around the house.  They are particularly good for splinter removal! ?

[Casey]

Also, give the below a try when you have a question. Odds are good it was discussed before, and there are existing answers posted on the forum:

 

[LL3 Model Worx]

6 hours ago, 2zwudz said:

I’m looking for recommendations on a good head set magnifying goggles for modeling??? I don’t know if it makes a difference but I where glasses.

 

I use this cheap set here...

cost me about 8 bucks on Amazon. I bought 2... in case I break one or lose it.

It has 2 different magnification lenses that flip down... and a "jeweler's loop".

The little headlamp works decent, but not too great for painting, because it gives off a blueish light so you cant get a good sense of color.

I mainly use them when doing 1/35 figure painting with the headlamp feature off.

[peteski]

I'm with Pete - nothing beats the original genuine Optivisor!   I most often use it with the #7 lens plate.

Unless of course you can afford the professional loupe glasses used by dentists. Those work great, but the price is in a 4-figure range!  I asked my dentist if I could try them on and I couldn't believe how good they were.

 

And as Casey mentioned, this subject has been discussed here many times (and not just only about headband magnifiers). Here are couple more.

 

Edited December 4, 2019 by peteski

[Brutalform]

I really like my Excel mag visor. Lightweight, easily adjustable. 

[Flat32]

As I'm getting older eyesight has been changing so I found myself looking for more and better magnification. Just recently began wondering what's going on.  Had visited an eye doctor to get a bump removed from an eyelid.  Left with the bump, a referral to a specialist cancer guy and a couple brochures, one on cataracs and one on glaucoma.  Doc said I'm developing these things.

Basal cell carcinoma got removed along with 25% of my lower eyelid.

What I've discovered is what they call ghost imaging. It's not blurring and in my case it's a faint double image most noticeable looking at text. There is a name for the condition found with Google. Making appointment to talk to doc about it.

Sorry for the long winded comment, but the point is don't overlook going to an eye doctor if you are having eyesight difficulties.  You might have a progressive condition needing treatment.

[Flat32]

Have a couple  Optivisor type visor magnifiers and hadn't been impressed for some reason. Read through Peteski's comments, which I have great respect for, and got a couple "real" Donegan Optivisors, a DA 5 and a DA 7.  Substantial difference in clarity and wearing comfort.

Real Donegan Optivisors are worth the money IMHO.  My thanks to Peteski for his always reliable information posts.

[STYRENE-SURFER]

15 minutes ago, Flat32 said:

 

Real Donegan Optivisors are worth the money IMHO.  

Yup, they are also available in different magnification levels.

Me, I had to take a Dremel to this bitt to better fit my "pin' head. LOL

Another thing I like are these "CLIC" magnifiers available to +4 and also attached an Bausch & Lomb loupe.

[peteski]

While useful, single-eye magnifiers do not give you 3D vision. That is why I much prefer a stereoscopic magnifier (and microscopes).

Nice feature of the Optivisor is a replaceable padded leather band for the headband.  SO leather (not plastic) is in contact with your forehead. That makes it more comfortable, even during long modeling sessions, than the less expensive ones.