Thoughts on a magnifier/loupe

[bullnose]

Anyone have insights on a good small magnifier or larger loupe that would help 52 year old eyes see detail on coins and such? I have a hard time seeing dates on coins with my bifocals on and off...

I've tried loupes in the 20mm range, but the small diameter and constant monkeying around with the focal distance just don't work for me.

I'd like something that I could hang from a neck strap, and I don't necessarily need something with illumination.

Any thoughts on the matter are appreciated.

 

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[islamoradamark]

I got a ten power loop that could hang. A cheap magnifying glass might work

 

[Professor of Engineering]

I bought a cheap 2" magnifying glass at the "dollar store"...works for my coin viewing!

 

[Megalodon]

I agree that bifocals (and trifocals) can be a problem when checking dates. I also use a variety of loupes but the greatest difference was to ditch my regular glasses for a pair of cheap reading glasses bought at the hardware store for a couple of bucks. In fact, I tested the glasses in the store by looking at a coin from my pocket. When I sit down to go through a couple of thousand coins, those reading glasses and decent light work for most. For double dies and errors, I grab a loupe, with the magnification depending on the type of error I suspect.

 

[GPS53]

Look into a waltex 3.5 inch round magnifier. It rotates in its own case and has 8 different power settings. just do a google on it. It is about $10.

 

[Deep1]

The local Dollar Tree sells reading glasses for $1.00.
The 2.50 and 3.00 power glasses work well for me.
If I need more power I go with a lighted hands free desk magnifier.
It allows you turn the object at different angle easily.
I don't use this one, but I like it, it has different power mag glasses:
https://www.amazon.com/YOCTOSUN-Mul...gateway&sprefix=lighted+mag,tools,182&sr=8-34
Proper lighting is very important, It doesn't matter what power mag you're using, if you don't have good illumination at the proper angle, you are defeating the purpose of the magnifier.
Now only is brightness is important, but also angle of light.

 

[Mike L]

I have this, its a 30x and 50 x jewelers loop, it folds and it has led lights. $12 on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078N34WZR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[CASPER-2]

i did a short vid on you tube on loupes - dont know if it would help
search Casper metal detecting - youll find it and others

 

[too_pointer]

The local Dollar Tree sells reading glasses for $1.00.
The 2.50 and 3.00 power glasses work well for me.
If I need more power I go with a lighted hands free desk magnifier.
It allows you turn the object at different angle easily.
I don't use this one, but I like it, it has different power mag glasses:
https://www.amazon.com/YOCTOSUN-Mul...gateway&sprefix=lighted+mag,tools,182&sr=8-34
Proper lighting is very important, It doesn't matter what power mag you're using, if you don't have good illumination at the proper angle, you are defeating the purpose of the magnifier.
Now only is brightness is important, but also angle of light.

Looks like a good deal, and I need one anyways, so I ordered the one you have. Price is fine.
too_

 

[lostcoast]

I've tried several real cheap loupes and found them wanting. Also, anything higher than 10x is mostly useless due to the narrow lens. Picked up a Belomo 10x and it's great. Has a 21mm lens. But I'd add that something about 4x to 6x power is what coin graders typically use.

 

[CreakyDigger]

I bought an Optivisor for business reasons, but found it to be great for coins. It is expensive, though. Sits on your head and you can raise or lower the magnifier - will swing down over your eyeglasses, if you wear them.

 

[boogeyman]

Anyone have insights on a good small magnifier or larger loupe that would help 52 year old eyes see detail on coins and such? I have a hard time seeing dates on coins with my bifocals on and off...

I've tried loupes in the 20mm range, but the small diameter and constant monkeying around with the focal distance just don't work for me.

I'd like something that I could hang from a neck strap, and I don't necessarily need something with illumination.

Any thoughts on the matter are appreciated.

Look at Harbor Freight . They have the visor type magnifiers that the lenses plug into. You can combine two lenses if needed. Only ones I've found that actually work with my bifocals. With the 20% coupon around $10.

 

[Blewfur]

Anyone have insights on a good small magnifier or larger loupe that would help 52 year old eyes see detail on coins and such? I have a hard time seeing dates on coins with my bifocals on and off...

I've tried loupes in the 20mm range, but the small diameter and constant monkeying around with the focal distance just don't work for me.

I'd like something that I could hang from a neck strap, and I don't necessarily need something with illumination.

Any thoughts on the matter are appreciated.

I have been magnifying my coins with my phone. Works ok for the clad I have been able to dig so far.