The Affordable Coin Loupe?

So first question: I don't want to spend alot but I want to get a decent loupe probs 10x or so so I can see ddo's and errors and varieties for CRHing. The last one I saw that was reccomended costed almost 40 $ which I thought was a bit too steep, any other suggestions?

 

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15x jewelers loupe for $12 shipped.
http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Purchase/Loupe.html

 

Gajx, As was said before a cheap loupe is not the way to go. With a quality loupe you will see better clarity and the biggest advantage is it won't strain your eye inwhich will affect you for the rest of your life. I pay for it every day by being cheap and trying to save a buck on a glass. Spend the $ for a good glass loupe!

 

I still say BeLoMo is the way to go. You can *probably* get away with a 7x loupe from them and maybe get a 20x from someone else for the same price that you'd pay for a 10x BeLoMo, though.

 

One hundred percent agree, I went through 2 or 3 $15 loupes before I finally bit the bullet. And the best part is, it's a one time expense because as long as you don't abuse it, a quality loupe will last you years.

 

+1

 

I, too, tried to go "budget" with the loupe, at first. When I was tired of being unable to focus my eyes (I've always had better than 20/20) I decided to spend a BIT more and get a quality loupe. I mean...after all, it's not like we're recommending a $500 loupe here...the one I love is only $40 on Amazon...

Remember that old adage about buy the book first, then the coin?

Consider the quality loupe the thing you buy AFTER you buy the book and read it...

Plus, with good glass, you'll:

*find more varieties
*be able to see said varieties longer, since your eyes won't wear out
*not think you're starting to go blind because your cheap loupe has cheap glass and is almost always blurry or distorted...

 

the 1 I use is a H and E Harris and Company 10X power loupe. $12.95. great for detail and double dies. well made.
see sample Ebay link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/10X-Wide-Fi...ultDomain_0&hash=item4abbef4565#ht_1905wt_706

 

Not to be contrarian, but I bought that same loupe a while ago from the coin shop and the BelOMO is WAAAAAAAY better....not even close to the same level of quality, IMO. Just my two cents...just a shinier cheap loupe.

 

yes and BelOmo's are 5-6 times more expensive. he wants cheaper not more expensive.

 

http://www.amazon.com/BelOMO-Triple...8&qid=1376267153&sr=8-2&keywords=belomo+loupe

$35.99 at Amazon - just over $20 more than the H&E Harris loupe, not 5x-6x (less than 3x, just to be correct.) Yes, it's more expensive. Yes, it's much better quality. Yes, it's worth it.

If the OP would like a 16x H&E Harris Loupe, I'll trade mine to him for a silver quarter. I have no use for it any more...

 

whats cheaper $20-30 or your eye sight?

 

Besides being better quality glass, the great thing about the BelOMO is that the metal is coated with a textured paint that makes it much less slippery in hand. The H&E Harris loupe is chrome plated - a bit difficult to hold in place if your hands are a bit sweaty.

Forgot about this until I pulled the old loupe out and picked it up again, thought I'd add it to the discussion.

 

And just because he thinks he wants to go cheap, this does not make it a wise decision. The strain and possible headaches are not worth a rather small amount of money saved, especially if his interest in coins is more than a passing thing.

My affordable recommendation would be an Eschenbach 1182-10 loupe (aplanatic 10x) which he should be able to pick up for $50-$60.
'

 

Thought you might like to see the Gemology Online thread on loupes.

http://www.gemologyonline.com/Forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=18467

 

"In this world, you get what you pay for."

Kurt Vonnegut

 

As opposed to, 'you keep what you kill'........

Chronicles of Riddick

 

Checked out the Eschenbach online...might have been a while since you bought yours, as the cheapest price I saw was $75. What's the quality of the plastic body?

 

I use a Bausch and Lomb 7x. It was $35 but it has helped me find several varieties that have made it worth it. Not to mention it's amazing for grading uncirculated pieces.

 

Lots of good Ideas here!