Loupe With Built-In Light

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by Hobo, Aug 4, 2008.

  1. Hobo

    Hobo Squirrel Hater

    Sometimes I think I am the guinea pig for the store at ANA. When I am down there they ask my opinion on new books and other new items they have gotten in. The other day was no exception.

    I bought a new item they are carrying - a 10X loupe with a built-in LED light. I know. I know. You need a good loupe and a good light for viewing coins but sometimes you just don't have a good light handy. This loupe should come in handy in those situations.

    The loupe is too large to carry around in your pocket for more than a short time and it is fairly heavy. The optics are pretty good; there is no noticeable distortion along the outer edges of the lens.

    The light is far from ideal for viewing coins. The light is harsh and creates a lot of reflection BUT it is better than having no light or inadequate light. Once you learn to live with the shortcomings I think it would be a useful loupe for viewing die cracks, mintmarks, details of varieties, etc. at a coin show, coin shop, etc.

    The Loupe With Light retails for $29.95.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    I've used a loupe with a built in light for years - absolutely love it :thumb:
     
  4. Bonedigger

    Bonedigger New Member

    Sorry, but it sounds like a sketchy idea for collectors... What if they become too dependent on the the light and forget how to use NATRURAL LIGHT?

    Ben
     
  5. Arizona Jack

    Arizona Jack The Lincoln-ator

    At shows, a light you know and can trust is priceless......I like the idea

    I was just talking to Harry about show lighting......especially " Long Beach " lighting...yes, the term is in Coin Collecting for dummies.
     
  6. Bonedigger

    Bonedigger New Member


    We locals just walk up to the windows...

    Jack, & Middle Eastern Jack, You're not at the shows (granted only one) from whence I'm typing. The wind is rustling the Buffalo Grass in the yard and the fan in the window is humming along making the small windmill on the porch spin; the clouds over our plains with the stars peeking out tell of a rain shower before morning and as 'usual the smell of gasoline -- Sturgis' permeates the air, BUT HEY I'm taking next week off... :D

    LOL
    Ben
     
  7. Arizona Jack

    Arizona Jack The Lincoln-ator

    Ben
    Sheila and I got our S Dakota tourist pack Saturday from the state. We are planning a trip to Mount Rushmore and some other stuff in the fall.

    I hope to smell the same air you are right now. Can't wait. I have never seen a Bison. I will this fall for sure. I hear the Walleye fishing is fantastic there !!

    I'll make a thread in General Discussion so we can take this further.....
     
  8. Magman

    Magman U.S. Money Collector

    Flagstaff has nice air too ya know. :)

    That loupe looks pretty neat. If I saw one, I'd definitly give it a try.
     
  9. dready

    dready Coin Hoarder

    I've had this 1 for a couple of years . It's flat and only weighs a little over an oz. The best thing is that it only cost me $5.95 at the flea market. I figured for $6 I'd give it a shot and the light really does come in handy The lens is 10X... John
     

    Attached Files:

  10. cogmonkay

    cogmonkay New Member

    very nice, i got one that turns the L.E.D on when you slide the lens out, it came "free" with a road atlas at Home Depot, perfect for use with coins in my opinion
     
  11. spock1k

    spock1k King of Hearts

    now he tells us which one do we buy?
     
  12. grizz

    grizz numismatist

    i guess that's alright................just as long as the light is incandescent, because if i recall correctly, the ANA grading guide stipulates this type of light when grading coins.

    YES?
     
  13. thedjsavage

    thedjsavage Senior Member

    Where would you find that loupe? I searched and found it for 42 online but the store didn't look trustworthy.

    -DJ
     
  14. bqcoins

    bqcoins Olympic Figure Skating Scoring System Expert

    I have a little microscope from radioshack, purchased years ago that I use for looking at mm, rpm, die cracks and the like
     
  15. Hobo

    Hobo Squirrel Hater

    If you're asking about the one I bought you can buy it from ANA. Give them a call on their 800 number. I don't think this loupe is in their on-line catalog yet.
     
  16. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Got mine at a coin show many years ago, made by Electro-Optics. Just a cheap little thing, but it does the trick. It's about 2" square and comes in a little case that fits in your short pocket. And it has an incandescent bulb - never cared for LED's.

    And Jack makes a good point, lighting at coin shows is purposely not the best.
     
  17. Arizona Jack

    Arizona Jack The Lincoln-ator

    Yeah, When HarryJ told me that the LB lighting was a term in the book, I was suprised they called it that, but it is true.

    Before I started setting up at shows, I asked my trusted dealer here about what lights to buy. He said florescent to sell, incandescent to buy, lol.
     
  18. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Your learning Jack ;)
     
  19. mi chael

    mi chael Member

    Sounds like just the thing for us up here in Ottawa with six months of darkness when hardly any light shines through the ice of the igloo. :)
     
  20. SINED

    SINED XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

    Try www.sciplus.com under optics. They have two pages of magnifiers. I opted for their lighted Super Loupe at $4.50 + shipping. Works for me.
     
  21. shatsi

    shatsi Senior Member

Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page