Does anyone have any suggestions regarding the purchase of a good magnifying glass? Or should one look into a microscope? I have heard that 5x power is plenty good which may make a microscope unnecessary but know absolutely nothing else. I am also clueless with respect to lighting as well. Does anyone use anytype of special lighting to look at their coins?
5x is just fine bazz. I use a 7x loupe. Any more than that and you're seein' things you don't want to see.....
If you have two good eyes and you want to see your coins in 3D, you will need a stereo microscope. A 5-10-15-20X will work nicely. I use a 2-90X zoom scope and I really like it. It also has a camera in the trinocular port.
I use a baush & lomb 7x triplet. A very clear glass. Works much better than those .99 cent specials you see on ebay. I don't think that anything more than a 7x is needed unless you want to disect a coin completely.
Standard recommendation for grading and general use is 5x. The Bausch and Lomb 5x Packette has always been my favorite because it has the largest viewing area and comes with a self contained case. Incandescent light is the recommended type for viewing coins. Stronger glasses are only used to identify some varieties, altered coins and the like.
Hastings Triplet start with 5x or 7x, buy Hastings Triplet start with 5x or 7x, buy the very best you can afford.
I got one that folds for easy carry around to go to shows and easy access. Take your pick Bausch and Lomb Pocket 5X Magnifier by Bausch & Lomb
I suggest two magnifiers or one that has multiple capability. Something in the 3-5x range for the quick look. Something in the 7-10x range for the serious look. I personally use a 3-6-9x ESCHENBACH loupe (separate 3x and 6x lenses which combined result in 9x). The 6x is particularly nice since you can lay it on a dealer's case at a show and a coin in the case is in focus. Good for a quick look before possibly asking the dealer to pull the coin out so you can have a better look.
......and yet another option. http://www.amazon.com/BLACK-POWER-MAGNIFY-FLEXIBLE-GLASS/dp/B000SNA3HE/ref=pd_sim_k_2
Before joining the forum I never used a looooop or any kind of magnifing glass , greeny is right theres too much I don't want to see :hatch: :crying:
If you're really blind like me, you can stick two glasses together and double the magnification (if you want a larger viewing surface than a loupe for coin roll searching this is faster than a loupe IMHO).
Desk Top Magnifier I've been doing some research to find a desk top magnifier that suits my needs. I am 99% sure that this one meets my needs: http://www.google.com/products?q=Du...a=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4 This magnifying light features two modes, 10x and 5x. Has a bright white flourescent lamp at the end of a goosneck. Heavy base keeps things in place while you work.
