Wearable magnifier with 7 pairs of lenses

Summary

Like a large pair of spectacles with slots for the 7 pairs of lenses supplied.

Large choice of magnifications up to 25X. You can slot two pairs of lenses in each side, which gives a total of 21 different magnifications to choose from (see "Technical).

Bright adjustable light with a choice of two filters (optional, you don't have to use the filters).

Works well as a binocular magnifier (i.e. you can use both eyes and have stereo vision) up to 3X magnification.

Suitability

I call it "binocmag-watchmaker" because the magnifiers are watchmakers' eyeglasses, but there is such a large choice of magnifications that you can use this for nearly anything where you have to get very close.

The weakest strength gives you about 70mm working distance (good for using tools, too close for reading books); the strongest gives (according to the chart) 20mm working distance (though it's actually nearer to 10mm).

As a BINOCULAR magnifier to give stereo vision, it just about works using the weakest (3X) pair of lenses; after that, use them individually. I got into the habit of slotting in two different-strength lenses, e.g. for dismantling a watch I would use a weak power on one side (using just that one eye) and for very fine work such as working on a hairspring I would keep a powerful strength in the other side (and would use the other eye) - ingenious!

Alternatives

As a BINOCULAR magnifier to give stereo vision, it just about works using the weakest (3X) pair of lenses.

If you want something 'powerful' that gives proper stereo vision and a working distance of more than a couple of inches, the only option is the surgeon's-type magnifiers (£200.00 to £400.00, maximum magnification 6X).

Alternatively, I would recommend the binocmag-01H - it is comfortable to wear (large headband) and there are 5 pairs of lenses giving magnifications 1.1X to 3.5X. Alternatively, the binocmag-1003 which also feature a huge low-power 'visor'. These don't sound as spectacular as "up to 25X magnification" but they work best as a binocular magnifiers, giving stereo vision and a long working distance.

Technical

Two adjustable LED lights (choice of filters, yellow or orange)

Powered by 3 AAA batteries, supplied

Using just one lens in each side of the magnifier gives a choice of 3X 4X, 5X, 6X, 7X, 10X or 15X.

Or by combining the lenses (you can slot two pairs in each side) you can get the following magnifications:

Combine 3X with 5X to give 8X

Combine 3X with 6X to give 9X

Combine 5X with 6X to give 11X

Combine 5X with 7X to give 12X

Combine 6X with 7X to give13X

Combine 10X with 4X to give 14X

Combine 10X with 6X to give 16X

Combine 10X with 7X to give 17X

Combine 15X with 3X to give18X

Combine 15X with 4X to give 19X

Combine 15X with5 X to give 20X

Combine 15X with 6X to give 21X

Combine 15X with 7X to give 22X

Combine 15X with 10X to give 25X

Further information

Everything you need to know about magnifiers and magnification.

See information about (and reviews of) loupes (small high-power folding jewellers' magnifiers).

See information about (and reviews of) binocular (head-worn) magnifiers- especially the surgeons-type.

See a guide to magnifiers for the partially-sighted.

See loupes with UV lights.

Video (electronic) magnifiers, video magnifiers compared.

Products: see pocket microscopes and phone microscopes, click here.

With most magnifiers* magnification and working distance are related. Download our Excel sheet, enter a magnification to see the resulting working distance, enter a working distance to see the resulting magnification.

* excluding surgeons-type, digital & phone magnifiers, and microscopes.