Hey all, I am int he market to buy a new loupe. If anyone of yall could advice me on where I can get one and which one to get. i would be most grateful. Thanks
I use a PEER 18mm x 10x, Triplet (not sure what triplet means???), cost $15.00 and seems okay for what I use it for. It also came with a little leather pouch with a snap. Take care & Good Luck Ben
If money isn't an issue as far as buying a loupe, I would HIGHLY recommend an eschenbach 3+6=9 loupe. You can purchase them for roughly 100 dollars on ebay. If you are looking for something inexpensive in the 5x range, I would recommend a packette bausch and lomb 5x. These can be purchased for under 10 dollars and are most excellent. If you are looking for a 10x, you can usually get nice Bausch and Lomb 10x's for under 40.
Triplet means that three glass elements have been cemented together with clear adhesive. The three lenses work together to reduce distortion and give a 'flatter' view. Hastings Triplet technology is a bit more expensive, but I think its worth it. I use a 10x Triplet Bausch and Lomb, which I have on a string to hang around my neck. For magnification, keep in mind that anything more than 10x power will tend to show you a lot of detail, perhaps to the point where every little scratch looks like a big deal. So a hand lens of lower power, say 7x, should be OK.
I don'y know why, but I like high-powered loupes....My favorite one is a 16X H.E. Harris and Company....works well for me....
zaneman i admire you but you of all people are asking me to go back to ebay? Yoy say eschenbach then thats what it is unless someone else has a better suggestion
For what its worth, compare prices at this store if you don't want to shop on eBay: http://www.minerox.com/index.cfm?currentpage=1&fuseaction=category.display&category_id=2
If you mainly want to inspect coins at home, a stereo microscope makes things easy...I use a 10X/20X to look for coin varieties and errors. Bought mine on eBay for about $50 including shipping. Good luck.
I use 2...a Anco 10x and I love it--and I also use a Bausch & Lomb 5x but its not what I've hoped for as the glass isn't flat so it can really warp a coin....both lopes cost around $10 each. Speedy
spock1k, I absolutely do not think you'll be disappointed with the BelOMO loupe I mentioned in the thread that satootoko provided. I hardly can imagine how a loupe that costs $100 (5 times as much as the BelOMO at $20), could be 5 times as good. The BelOMO has very little distortion. Try the BelOMO. If you think you need more later on, then you can sink a bunch more money into a different loupe. I really don't think you'll be disappointed though. Of course, 10x is a little too much magnification for some people and you have to get right up on the coin with any 10x loupe to get things into focus. However, for other applications 10x isn't enough. It's up to you!
thanks for the response tcore. i want a loupe just for coins though wont be for anything else what would you recommend for that? still the belamo?
I'll put in a vote for the Zeiss D36. It's three loupes in one, 3X, 6X, and together for 9x. Nice, large fields of view even at higher magnifications. I bought it as an upgrade from the B&L 7X and 10X Hastings Triplets I had been using. They're good, but I like having it all in one loupe. I also use a B&L 20X Hastings Triplet from time to time for those maddeningly tiny details.
Sorry spock1k, I just saw your question. Yes, I would still recommend the BelOMO. There's no difference in it just because what it's stated use might be. Most of these loupes people are talking about are normally called "jeweler's loupes" anyway, but they work great for coins!
I have about 20 or more different types of magnication lenses. Most do not have names on them except made in China, Pakistan, etc. One 30X is Focal from Kmart. If you go to a flea market you should be able to find a large variety of magnification devices for extreamely low prices. I've found them with a small 8X built into a 3X on a stand, with a light for about $3. Not far from me is a place called American Science & Surplus. In thier optical department there was rows and rows and piles of every type of magnigication item you could imagine. I've never looked at their web site since they are so close but you may want to check out www.sciplus.com. That is on the front of the catalog they handed me. Try just looking up optical supplies in your state, county or city where you live. If any large cities you should find numerous places that sell them and maybe one that even makes them. There are many, many types and all work for what you want them for. No need to spend a fortune for a limited usage item. Good luck and good hunting.
