I know this could be a pretty subjective question, so I'm just just going to ask what your favorite kind of loupe magnifier is. I don't have one yet, and I'm looking for something that's easy to carry (maybe those credit card sized ones), and with a good zoom. Links would help a lot too, especially if they're to Amazon, as I have some gift cards for there
I prefer my hastings http://cgi.ebay.com/Bausch-Lomb-Has...Magnifier-/370413100156?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0 though if you search you can find them a little cheaper. IMO I would stay with a glass lens
The best loupes are relatively expensive. I have loupes from China ( 99 cent store, 2 lens, fairly large and sharp) that are as good as any beginner's loupe. I buy them often, as these are the ones I give to new people at the coin club, or take along extra with my good lens to coin shows in case someone asks to borrow a lens. At 99 cents each they are well worth the price. I use a long focus 10X lens intended for inspecting cloth which I can use farther away from the coin, about $75 now. If I had to replace it , I would probably get a Belomo lens, made originally for Russian military, they are heavier construction and come in various magnifications. Here is the 10X. They have other magnifications available also. http://www.amazon.com/BelOMO-Triplet-Loupe-Folding-Magnifier/dp/B0002OVC9W
Plantguy, Like I said if you search you can find them cheaper, If you take care of it, it would last you a lifetime. Your paying for the quality. If you want pricey check out the Nikon, Eschenbach, or Zeiss loupes. Hunt1: You get what you pay for
Sure, but if you do comparisons, you find that you will see sharper details at any magnification ( this is called resolution). You can buy a "Miss Kitty" digital camera with a plastic lens cheap, but everyone will keep asking for sharper photos from a better camera. When you get to the age of bi- or trifocal glasses, you won't mind paying the extra to alleviate eye strain and seeing if the RPM is really a RPM or just distortion by the lens. Like I said, I do feel there are times for inexpensive magnifiers, and if this is all the collector can afford, it is far better than nothing, but it is also usually less than optimal. IMO. Jim
I got this http://cgi.ebay.com/LED-UV-2-Lens-3..._Jewellery_Watches_JewelleryBoxes_Supplies_CA although i didn't get it on eBay. Cheap one but i`m very satisfied, especially when using 60x with the light.
I like the Bausch and Lomb 5X Packette. Costs about $8 and has a good sized retractable lens. For more serious looking, I have a 2-90X stereo microscope setup. I really don't like loupes because of the fact that you have to hold them up to your eye with the coin about an inch away, and the coin is probably getting breathed on or worse. Also, with the 'scope, you get to view the image in 3D with both eyes.
I really like my 10x Bausch & Lomb Hastings Triplet Loupe. It will cost you somewhere between $25-35. TC
This is what I bought and I've been very happy with it for what I paid for it. There have only been one or two coins (out of several hundred) that I've looked at with it where I would have liked greater magnification.
Just wanted to say thank you for the recommendation. I bought a Belomo 7x off ebay and it kills my cheap B&L magnifier.
I've been using the same exact loupe for a few years. I really like the 10x B&L Hastings Triplet as it has enough power to see the RPMs and RPDs, but also is good for getting an overall look at the coin. I remember paying maybe $30 or so for mine, but I know the full retail price of it is a little closer to $40 or $50.
Yep it really depends on what you are planning/collecting. IE if your a variety collector then you should be looking for a 10x or more but if your just buying and looking for grading you only need a 3x or 6x.
For those of you that NEED to wear glasses, have you any experience with the clip-on jeweler's loupes? I would like to do some hands free searching, but also need at least 10X for variety searching.
