 | Loupes (Jewellers Folding Magnifiers)
I call these 'jewellers loupes' because I sell mostly to antiques and jewellery traders for looking at hallmarks, gemstones, etc. There are many other uses: for geologists and biologists in the field (and for gardeners); for doctors checking skin lesions; electronics engineers checking PCBs; laboratory technicians checking slides; photographers checking negatives. The price of each loupe reflects the quality of the lens. |
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 | Watchmakers' Eyeglasses
Hold the open end in the eye (it takes practice) - this leaves the hands free to work. Please remember that the higher the magnification, the closer to the object you must hold the lens, so stick to low magnification (2X to 6X) if you need space to handle tools. If, however, you want one of these instead of a jewellers loupe, then a higher magnification is OK.
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 | Clip to Spectacles (all types)
Includes single watchmakers' eyeglasses, double magnifiers (whether for watch making or other engineering work), and some of the WEAKER double magnifiers are suitable for reading (1.5X to 3X is best). |
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 | Reading Magnifiers
Traditional lenses with handles, Fresnel magnifying sheets, domes that rest on the page, there's even a large magnifier that hangs around the neck. These are mainly used for reading (books, magazines, maps) and there are sizes for everyone, from those who need 'just a little help' to those who are very nearly blind. |
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 | Recommendations for the Partially-Sighted
These are the most powerful magnifiers AND the best optical quality for reading. But please do remember that size and magnification are linked: larger size = lower magnification; higher magnification = smaller size, there simply isn't any choice about this. It is best to start with the largest (weakest) magnifier because it covers the largest reading area, and then, if you really have to, upgrade to a more powerful, but smaller, magnifier. |
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 | General Purpose Folding Magnifiers
Some fold into hard cases, some into soft cases; some swing closed, some click closed. These are what most people call, 'general purpose magnifiers' - for reading the small print on forms, labels in the supermarket, marks on furniture and porcelain. The advantage over a 'reader' is that they fit neatly into a pocket or small handbag. |
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 | Large Magnifiers with stands or clamps (including illuminated)
These are large enough to work under, using both hands. Please remember: the larger the lens the lower the power, that's how lenses work! But a nice quality large lens of low power is MUCH easier to work with than a high power lens that is too small. |
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 | Small Magnifiers on Stands (including linen provers / linen testers)
These rest on the page magnifiers ("stand magnifiers") are larger than jewellers' / watchmakers' magnifiers but smaller than reading magnifiers. The 'Linen Provers' are, traditionally, used for 'proving' (testing) linen by counting the number of threads per inch. Each has a scale on the base. These have a hinged mechanism and fold flat for easy carrying. |
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 | Head-Worn Magnifiers, binocular - simple type
Binocular (for both eyes) magnifiers that either clip to spectacles or are worn around the head. These have simple (single) lenses just like any reading magnifier. Two versions: fixed to spectacles (supplied), or with a clip to clip to your own spectacles.
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 | Head-Worn Magnifiers, binocular - surgeon's type
These are the closest you will get to the 'professional' quality used by dentists and surgeons, without having to spend hundreds of pounds. You WILL have to spend a few minutes setting them up for your eyes, the first time you use them, and they are NOT comfortable to wear for hours at a time and I would NOT recommend these for the partially-sighted for reading. |
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 | Head-worn Magnifiers, binocular - professional
These ARE suitable for dentists, professional art renovators, engineers, watchmakers etc. The very best quality, padded headband is easy to wear for many hours, easy to collimate (set up) for your eyes. If optical quality is critical and you are working at a bench (or on a patient) for prolonged periods, go for these. |
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 | Lens
Just one at the moment: a very large lens with a high-power inset. |
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 | Clearance Magnifiers
Some of these are samples from importers and manufacturers that I've decided not to add to my range, some are end-of-lines which I have now withdrawn from my paper mail order catalogue (because I only have a few remaining). |
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 | Microscopes
We also have secondhand full-size microscopes. |
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 | Do Not Buy
I am forever buying samples of magnifiers that look good - often they are advertised in huge adverts in magazines, but when I get the sample I consider them to be...awful.
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