I need simple, but powerful magnification. Among a multitude of shortcomings, I have poor vision. I have collected several magnifying glasses over the years, but I still have to change glasses to use different ones from my normal glasses (distance x strength x power of reading glasses). The microscope is great, but if it can be more trouble than it's worth sometimes plus my current workspace is a bit too cramped to have to add a laptop. I looked at flip down visors, but they don't seem very powerful. In fact, they were usually proud of 3.5 X. I hear I may get as much as $1.95 from president Trump, and I can pitch in a little more. I have trouble with loupes because of having to wear glasses and hand tremors. Is a visor the best idea, and how can 3.5X be strong enough? My wife may let me look at a better microscope and I can build a workstation of some sort if that's the right answer. I appreciate every person who takes time to offer suggestions.
I have an UltraOptixR 7X Aspheric LED Lighted that I use with and without glasses. It has great depth of field as well as a wide field of view. It fits very nice in the hand and is very maneuverable. It will give you a solid and quick look at your coin especially if you don't have time to put it under the scope. If I remember right, it's pretty cheap to; under $20 I think, which also goes to show you how durable it is as it's been that long ago that I bought my last one that I don't remember the price!
I honestly don't understand the question. I have a pretty good 13 mega pixel phone, but I've had poor results despite trying several different suggestions from forum members. However, it's been suggested that magnification also magnifies all the faults and flaws but I will eventually sell the coins and I want a buyer to see what I can see. Finally, the closer I get to a coin the more light, natural or artificial, gets blocked. I can't get good color and the phone doesn't seem to focus as well. In the end, we simply can't afford to upgrade phones or buy a good camera. I hope that answers your question, but this is the first time I've ever heard of not needing magnification so I'll look at that again. Thanks for the mental exercise.
I went and looked at that just now, and you're right that it's affordable. I made a mistake confusing this post with another I had about taking photos. Just looking at coins I still have trouble with my eyes and I absolutely need magnification. It's been a very long time since I could read the letters on a coin without strong reading glasses. If you think 7x is good enough plus the way you described UltraOptix, I think I'll give it a try. Thank you for the input.
I said something stoopid. You're close to right. I replied to your question from a photographic view and because I'm still learning photo techniques. To directly answer your question is simple very poor eyesight. I apologize for not paying attention to my own questions, and thank you for understanding (I hope).
I feel your pain, I don't think my eyes are as bad as yours as I can make out most of the lettering with my readers (without them, forget it), but I certainly can't make out the fine detail and errors; that's why I really like the UltraOptix and like I said, with or without glasses! Also really good for every day use: where'd I drop that needle or screw, or for things like reading labels. Because of the way that it fits in the hand and there's no need for fine tuning (just move the lens a little farther from the object), it really helps when things get a little shaky. I know I sometimes get a little jiggle in my hands later in the day, but with this device I just prop my forearm or the side of my hand against something, and it's "steady as you go".
In your opening thread, you did not indicate why you needed(?) wanted(?) magnification, so my question is valid. One could make the assumption that it was for viewing coins, but historically, many of my assumptions made an --- of me.
Bought one of the 800x microscopes on E-Bay that plugs into my desktop for like $25,takes pics you can download to file and is great for overdates doubling ETC.
Leuchtturm (Lighthouse) makes an excellent 7x magnifier with LED illumination - under $20 - I've used mine for many years with nary a problem https://www.jpscorner.com/products/lighthouse-7x-magnifier-with-led?_pos=7&_sid=db2d394f0&_ss=r
My mother always told me that growing old was a very difficult thing to do. She was almost 98 when she pasted and she was correct about growing old. It is very difficult. Anything over a 10x is a waste. Keep trying as it takes time to learn.
Santa Claus put this in my stocking two years ago. I have lots of different magnifiers, but this is what I default to..... The handle has two very bright LED lamps and three levels of magnifying lenses clip on to the handle..2.5x, 5x and 16x.... I tend to stay with the 5x.... Santa found it on Amazon for about twenty bucks. Made by Mobius.
You might consider a "third hand" and a big lens (there was a guy on the show circuit in N Texas about 3 years back selling individual lenses he pulled out of old telescopes - like 4" in diameter. With a good lamp you would be amazed at what you could see) https://www.sciplus.com/magnifying-work-stand-with-third-hand-57782-p I'd want to shield the alligator clips, maybe put a piece of plexi between them as a work surface with a silicone sheet so it's nonskid. A screwdriver removes the soldering iron holder. You can probably buy something similar less kitted out for electronics assembly. But you get the idea...
I think your best bet is to talk you wife into letting you build a bigger work station. Put a computer monitor up or a laptop and buy yourself a cheap usb scope off the web. I purchased one a few years ago and it is an eye savor for sure. I think I bought it for around $15 and they are still priced relatively close to this. Downsides are at times the color is off. I can live with this. You need to know what you're looking for in regards to errors and doubling. With the wrong light it can create an image that looks like it's doubled. For me the price and benefits I get from it far outweighs the negatives. Especially for the cost.
I never understood in the beginning why you wouldn't want more magnification. The reason why I initially bought the usb scope for the computer! Then I thought ti would be good to buy one of those 30X loops. Nehhhhhhhhh. You are 100% correct. If you can't see it with a 7X then you shouldn't probably see it! Like the OP, my father has hand tremors and is an amateur collector. He has a hard time holding things steady and the usb that I bought I got for him as well. It eliminates the need for him to hold both the loop and the coin.
