Yet Another Lighted Magnifier Solution...

I've been experimenting with various and sundry illuminated magnifiers over the last several years, in search of "the perfect solution". All of the systems I've tried have had one shortcoming or another.

I have a tiny pocket 15x illuminated magnifier that I take to shows with me. However, squinting through tiny lenses gets old after a while.

Fast forward to Chicagopex a few weeks ago. One of the revenue dealers I frequent had a magnifier I had not seen before. While not compact and a bit on the expensive side, I *loved* the usability.

It's a stand magnifier built by a German company called Eschenbach. The beauty of the system is that you can get swappable lenses from 3x up to 12.5x. The 12.5x is the one that the dealer was using - perfect for flyspecking or looking for faults.

They make it with 3 different light sources: incandescent, halogen, and LED, as well as both battery and corded versions. An LED handle plus one of the lenses will run you over US$150... not cheap. It appears they are cheaper in the U.K., where a handle-lens combo runs about 80 pounds.

Here's where ebay comes to the rescue. You can pick up second hand units (handles only, lenses only, and combos) at substantial discounts. You want to make sure that you get the LED handle, *BUT* the lens heads will fit all 3 types. I was able to pick up, through separate auctions, an LED handle, 12.5x lens, and 6x lens, all for about US$100 total.

The battery versions take two C size batteries (that's what they're called here in the U.S.; I'm not sure if battery sizes are an international standard).

The 6x head is a 50mm lens opening, and the 12.5x is 35mm. Both are quite usable. Also, because it is a stand magnifier (sits perfectly flat and stable on a flat surface) it is perfect for holding against a cover or document without having to deal with angle or orientation.

Because it's a larger magnifier, it feels very solid and robust in the hand.

Manufacturer page:

http://www.eschenbach.com/products-...uminated.htm

Comparative pictures. 12.5x:



6x:



These are not sold as hobby products but as enhancements for the vision-impaired, so you are more likely to find them through medical supply companies.

Nice informative thread

Thank you for defining STAND MAGNIFIER as one that lies flat on the surface.

That has always been a point of confusion for me. I mean, seriously, if you bought a "lamp stand," would you expect it to lie flat on the floor?

KirkS

Chicagopex was my first introduction to this particular magnifier, as well. I use a Lighthouse version that is functionally similar, but not nearly as sturdy. (The Lighthouse version is often available at or under $20, for the cost conscious among us.)

I didn't have them side by side to compare, but I'd guess the above unit is three times the weight of the Lighthouse version. It feels very solid in the hand. I'd want to switch back and forth before making any definitive statement on the quality of the 'image' from both. I will say, though, that the one above gives a very nice view.

Kirk, I think this is only one type of the larger class of stand magnifiers. Another type might have a glass standing on three or four legs, which relies on light in the room to illuminate the object being viewed. It would make sense to me that a linen tester might also qualify as a stand magnifier.

I am guessing that the round part of the 'head' between the glass and the object accomplishes two functions...keeping a fixed distance between the optics and item, and controlling the light source and putting it onto the item. Guessing, though.