This is absolutely the best review I've seen on this topic. I was going to get the second option here but wondered what the drawbacks were for extended paint sessions. Bad posture wasn't even something I thought of so learning about Optical Loupes is what I want! Thank you for the excellent review!
This was very helpful for me, as I've been trying to find a pair of what I NOW know are called 'Optical Loupes' for a while ( I was searching for 'Headband Magnifiers'). I had surgery on my spine a few months ago, so I was trying to find something that didn't result in hunching over when painting (at the moment I'm resting my hands on an old shoe box, to compensate for the short focal length of my headband magnifier; not the best solution). I've just bought a pair of them, and they look like they could be ideal. Many thanks!
If you still want to rest your hands on something, maybe try a memory foam pad? Rather than something meant for an armrest, one of those half-cylindrical footrest ones would give as much elevation as a shoebox. Takes up a lot of desk space, though, of course.
Hi Parazatico, Really glad I was able to help. While the shoe box isn't ideal, it was a good adaption! But hopefully, the Loupe's will make life a chunk easier. Best wishes and hope your back feels better soon!
@@SPQRKlio Thank you for that suggestion. I just had a look on Amazon, and they look ideal, actually. I'll give the Loupes a go to see if the focal length allows me to rest my hands on the desk, but I think it may turn out to be the case that using a foot rest as well might be the perfect solution. Thanks again!
@@SPQRKlio I just want to thank you again for that suggestion. I got a footrest from Amazon and it is perfect, just the job! It doesn't take up too much of desk space (it's about A3 size, maybe a shade larger), and I can rest my hands on it and paint without hunching over at all. As I say, it's absolutely perfect for me, and the shoebox has been duly consigned to the recycling. Sincere thanks!
Great vid, thanks. I have tried the #1 option and found it to be next to useless, no matter where I put the base I was always clouting it or knocking it over and the viewing area was so much hard work to get into focus. I wear reading glasses with one eye being very weak, my head was bobbing and weaving so much that an onlooker would think I was imagining being in the ring with Muhammad Ali. #2 option is perfect with my reading glasses but my headband set is different to yours, instead of an elastic strap mine has a solid headband which is adjustable by means of a knob/dial at the back. Mine can also fit two lenses in at the same time for sooper dooper magnification although I've never needed to use two lenses yet. There is an adjustable LED light on mine that is removeable if the weight bothers you and I only really use the light for the search and rescue of small bits from the carpet monster. I got mine from ebay for around £12 with free delivery. I'm so happy with option 2 and my reading glasses that I couldn't see #3 being of any benefit but thanks for including it for others that don't have reading glasses.
I use option #1 but with an adjustable swing-arm instead of a desk stand. It works well for me (that is, I've gotten used to the limitations and working around them has become second nature), but I'd love to try #3... unfortunately I have to wear corrective lenses and it doesn't look like the dentist loupe would work well with them.
Hi Andy, As I mentioned in another comment, I did try my current Loupe's over my glasses, but it didn't work. However, I was looking at this set of Loupe's (amzn.to/3Ma4DpO) which clip onto a normal set of glasses. I must stress that I have not tried this particular set as I went for the ones you saw in the video. But they look very similar and may be worth looking at? Hope that helps
@@FlyingRavenStudios Thanks for the pointer. I'm concerned that those clips would scratch my plastic lenses. Great work on the channel, btw. Really enjoy your stuff.
This vid has been so helpful! 😀 I've been using the same magnifyinging glasses as the second one in your vid and knew I needed a better option after developing some awful back and neck pain from having to hunch so close to the work. Such a short focal length is no good. I did some of my own research and knew dental loupes were a thing but they're proper expensive. I never found the ones you've suggest while searching so thank you. Fingers crossed I can get some!
Great idea!! now to add complexity to the mix...i need to keep wearing my prescription glasses....do you think is there any way (even engaging 3d printing) to get the loupes to work ?
Hmmm depends on your prescription I guess (as you cant wear these over glasses easily). You can buy ones that clip onto your glasses but they are more expensive. However, my Dad needs to wear glasses (although I am not sure if he is long or short sighted) and he was able to adjust my ones used in the video so he could use them effectively without glasses. But I must stress that is just his experience and I am not an optician!
An excellent video, and very timely. I have the headband magnifiers and yep, having to be so close to the model is an issue. I was looking at desk lamps but, having used those in the past, I knew that'd be same thing. Thank you for letting me know about the binocular loupes. Cracking idea. Subscribed )O(
Hi Liam, technically no.... But I do wear mine over glases for short periods which is fine for me, but cannot guarantee that will be comfortable for you of course.. There are similar versions available which do clip onto a standard pair of glasses, but they do cost more. Hope that helps!
Hi Klio, I have used the headband magnifier over prescription glasses which was OK....ish. But as Himle mentioned in another comment, they were fairly awkward and uncomfortable to wear. Also, they didn't fix the focal range issue. I did try my current Loupe's over my glasses, but it didn't work. However, I was looking at this set of Loupe's (amzn.to/3Ma4DpO) which clip onto a normal set of glasses. I must stress that I have not tried this particular set as I went for the ones you saw in the video. But they look very similar and may be worth looking at?
@@FlyingRavenStudios Thanks for the info and suggestion. My current eyeglass frames are a bit delicate, so I’m not sure I’d want to try the clip-ons. Hmmm… I usually end up painting hunched over with my glasses off, definitely not ideal :)
Yes on reflection, those clip-on ones may not be ideal for more delicate frames. While I am not an optician, all I can suggest is maybe trying the standard Loupes as they are very adjustable? If you get the ones via the Amazon link in the description, you have the option of returning them if they are not right for you I guess. Let me know if you find a solution that works for you!
Thanks for the heads up. It appears Amazon has changed the products around, so I have updated the link in the description. But for ease, this is the new link for a new set which looks the same as the one tested, but in black. amzn.to/48RJfz5. Hope that helps!!
They are not easy to wear over glasses. However... anecdotally, I do have friends and family who wear glasses for various reasons and find they can set these up and use them fine without their glasses. But I am not an optician, so I can not say this will work in every circumstance! If you got some and had to return them as they didn't work for you, then I have seen options which clip to a pair of normal glasses. They are more expensive though.
Have seen but never tried #3, looks interesting. I have use/d #2, but the biggest issue that I've fond is that you hurt your nose ridge, because of the weight. Question. I've seen some people that use "normal" glasses but with higher magnification. Which means they weight as much as reading glasses and since they're close to your eyes you don't really see them, compared to nr 2 for example. Anything that you've tried and if so, verdict? :) Nice vid as always (-:
Thanks Himle! I found the same with the Headband Magnifier. I have seen clip-on magnifiers that clip directly to your normal glasses (such as these amzn.to/3K4j5xd) although they are a lower magnification. I have not tried them as I suspect I might reduce the weight, but not resolve the peripheral vision and focal range issues. I must admit, I have not seen or tried using higher-strength glasses. Would that not just put everything in your field of vision out of focus apart from the mini? As a possible alternative, I was looking at this set of Loupe's (amzn.to/3Ma4DpO) which clip onto a normal set of glasses. I must stress that I have not tried this particular set as I went for the ones you saw in the video. But they look very similar and may be worth looking at? Hope that helps
Do you use a magnifier of some kind when you are building / painting? How do you find it? Are there any other elements of model making you wish there was a better option for?
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This is absolutely the best review I've seen on this topic. I was going to get the second option here but wondered what the drawbacks were for extended paint sessions. Bad posture wasn't even something I thought of so learning about Optical Loupes is what I want! Thank you for the excellent review!
Thanks and I am really glad it helped!
This was very helpful for me, as I've been trying to find a pair of what I NOW know are called 'Optical Loupes' for a while ( I was searching for 'Headband Magnifiers'). I had surgery on my spine a few months ago, so I was trying to find something that didn't result in hunching over when painting (at the moment I'm resting my hands on an old shoe box, to compensate for the short focal length of my headband magnifier; not the best solution). I've just bought a pair of them, and they look like they could be ideal. Many thanks!
If you still want to rest your hands on something, maybe try a memory foam pad? Rather than something meant for an armrest, one of those half-cylindrical footrest ones would give as much elevation as a shoebox. Takes up a lot of desk space, though, of course.
Hi Parazatico, Really glad I was able to help. While the shoe box isn't ideal, it was a good adaption! But hopefully, the Loupe's will make life a chunk easier. Best wishes and hope your back feels better soon!
@@FlyingRavenStudios Thank you!
@@SPQRKlio Thank you for that suggestion. I just had a look on Amazon, and they look ideal, actually. I'll give the Loupes a go to see if the focal length allows me to rest my hands on the desk, but I think it may turn out to be the case that using a foot rest as well might be the perfect solution. Thanks again!
@@SPQRKlio I just want to thank you again for that suggestion. I got a footrest from Amazon and it is perfect, just the job! It doesn't take up too much of desk space (it's about A3 size, maybe a shade larger), and I can rest my hands on it and paint without hunching over at all. As I say, it's absolutely perfect for me, and the shoebox has been duly consigned to the recycling. Sincere thanks!
thank you for this, i was planning on buying the magnifying headband, never realized the focal length is so short
Yeah, it's one of the things I didn't think about when I bought mine. Glad it helped!
Great vid, thanks.
I have tried the #1 option and found it to be next to useless, no matter where I put the base I was always clouting it or knocking it over and the viewing area was so much hard work to get into focus. I wear reading glasses with one eye being very weak, my head was bobbing and weaving so much that an onlooker would think I was imagining being in the ring with Muhammad Ali.
#2 option is perfect with my reading glasses but my headband set is different to yours, instead of an elastic strap mine has a solid headband which is adjustable by means of a knob/dial at the back. Mine can also fit two lenses in at the same time for sooper dooper magnification although I've never needed to use two lenses yet. There is an adjustable LED light on mine that is removeable if the weight bothers you and I only really use the light for the search and rescue of small bits from the carpet monster. I got mine from ebay for around £12 with free delivery.
I'm so happy with option 2 and my reading glasses that I couldn't see #3 being of any benefit but thanks for including it for others that don't have reading glasses.
Excellent video! Thanks you have made my choice easier! Optical loupes!
Glad I could help!
I use option #1 but with an adjustable swing-arm instead of a desk stand. It works well for me (that is, I've gotten used to the limitations and working around them has become second nature), but I'd love to try #3... unfortunately I have to wear corrective lenses and it doesn't look like the dentist loupe would work well with them.
Hi Andy, As I mentioned in another comment, I did try my current Loupe's over my glasses, but it didn't work. However, I was looking at this set of Loupe's (amzn.to/3Ma4DpO) which clip onto a normal set of glasses. I must stress that I have not tried this particular set as I went for the ones you saw in the video. But they look very similar and may be worth looking at? Hope that helps
@@FlyingRavenStudios Thanks for the pointer. I'm concerned that those clips would scratch my plastic lenses. Great work on the channel, btw. Really enjoy your stuff.
@@AndyYoung thanks!
This vid has been so helpful! 😀 I've been using the same magnifyinging glasses as the second one in your vid and knew I needed a better option after developing some awful back and neck pain from having to hunch so close to the work. Such a short focal length is no good. I did some of my own research and knew dental loupes were a thing but they're proper expensive. I never found the ones you've suggest while searching so thank you. Fingers crossed I can get some!
You are very welcome and I'm really glad I could help!
this was great im just getting into watch making at struggling to get the hands fitted onto the movement while keeping them level with the hour marks
Really glad I could help!
This is exactly the information that I was looking for. Thanks!
Glad I could help!
Great idea!! now to add complexity to the mix...i need to keep wearing my prescription glasses....do you think is there any way (even engaging 3d printing) to get the loupes to work ?
Hmmm depends on your prescription I guess (as you cant wear these over glasses easily). You can buy ones that clip onto your glasses but they are more expensive.
However, my Dad needs to wear glasses (although I am not sure if he is long or short sighted) and he was able to adjust my ones used in the video so he could use them effectively without glasses.
But I must stress that is just his experience and I am not an optician!
Thanks for this video, convinced me to get your favorite option. Looking forward to it!
Have fun!
Fantastic video. Good information and clear presentation.
Thanks!
An excellent video, and very timely. I have the headband magnifiers and yep, having to be so close to the model is an issue. I was looking at desk lamps but, having used those in the past, I knew that'd be same thing. Thank you for letting me know about the binocular loupes. Cracking idea. Subscribed )O(
Glad it helped and welcome to the Flying Raven Journey!
Very helpful thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Absolutely fantastic video, really made life easier in me getting back into the hobby. Thanks mate, easy sub right there.
Thanks and welcome to the Flying Raven journey!
Learned some stuff from this video. Great job.
Glad it was helpful!
As somebody who does watches and gunpla too, magnifiying binoculars are a great idea.
Thanks! I have been wanting to tackle a gunpla project for ages.
@@FlyingRavenStudios You will be amazed by the engineering, I certainly was after doing dozens upon dozens of GW models.
@Belzughast ..... I might have ordered one.... looking forward to it!
Thank you for video!
Hey Don nice video - can the loops set over glasses? Cheers Liam
Hi Liam, technically no.... But I do wear mine over glases for short periods which is fine for me, but cannot guarantee that will be comfortable for you of course.. There are similar versions available which do clip onto a standard pair of glasses, but they do cost more. Hope that helps!
@@FlyingRavenStudios cheers Don, that’s very helpful.
Thank you, thank you thank you.
You are very welcome!
Thanks for showing how these compare. Do you have a sense of how any of these options work for people who wear glasses (for nearsightedness)?
I'm using reading glasses and atleast #2 works fine for me.
Hi Klio, I have used the headband magnifier over prescription glasses which was OK....ish. But as Himle mentioned in another comment, they were fairly awkward and uncomfortable to wear. Also, they didn't fix the focal range issue. I did try my current Loupe's over my glasses, but it didn't work. However, I was looking at this set of Loupe's (amzn.to/3Ma4DpO) which clip onto a normal set of glasses. I must stress that I have not tried this particular set as I went for the ones you saw in the video. But they look very similar and may be worth looking at?
@@FlyingRavenStudios Thanks for the info and suggestion. My current eyeglass frames are a bit delicate, so I’m not sure I’d want to try the clip-ons. Hmmm…
I usually end up painting hunched over with my glasses off, definitely not ideal :)
Yes on reflection, those clip-on ones may not be ideal for more delicate frames. While I am not an optician, all I can suggest is maybe trying the standard Loupes as they are very adjustable? If you get the ones via the Amazon link in the description, you have the option of returning them if they are not right for you I guess. Let me know if you find a solution that works for you!
Would you please provide the link to the binocular mode that you featured in your video. Thanks.
Hi friscoray2, You will find it in the video description. Let me know if you have any issues finding it
The Loupes link isn't working for me
Thanks for the heads up. It appears Amazon has changed the products around, so I have updated the link in the description. But for ease, this is the new link for a new set which looks the same as the one tested, but in black. amzn.to/48RJfz5. Hope that helps!!
Really helpful, thanks
Glad I could help!
Found this video cuz my set of #2 started flickering when turned on and gave me a massive headache. 😂
Yeah I can see that being an issue 😁
LOL I felt that comment about amazing table presence but zooming in on the picture looks like a toddler painted it.
Yeah it hurts every time 😂.
Can you wear #3 if you have glasses?
They are not easy to wear over glasses. However... anecdotally, I do have friends and family who wear glasses for various reasons and find they can set these up and use them fine without their glasses. But I am not an optician, so I can not say this will work in every circumstance!
If you got some and had to return them as they didn't work for you, then I have seen options which clip to a pair of normal glasses. They are more expensive though.
Which Optical Loupe magnification do you find is most useful for miniature painting, since we can't change lenses?
I believe mine are x3.5
good video!! =)
Thanks!
Have seen but never tried #3, looks interesting.
I have use/d #2, but the biggest issue that I've fond is that you hurt your nose ridge, because of the weight.
Question. I've seen some people that use "normal" glasses but with higher magnification. Which means they weight as much as reading glasses and since they're close to your eyes you don't really see them, compared to nr 2 for example. Anything that you've tried and if so, verdict? :)
Nice vid as always (-:
Thanks Himle! I found the same with the Headband Magnifier. I have seen clip-on magnifiers that clip directly to your normal glasses (such as these amzn.to/3K4j5xd) although they are a lower magnification. I have not tried them as I suspect I might reduce the weight, but not resolve the peripheral vision and focal range issues. I must admit, I have not seen or tried using higher-strength glasses. Would that not just put everything in your field of vision out of focus apart from the mini? As a possible alternative, I was looking at this set of Loupe's (amzn.to/3Ma4DpO) which clip onto a normal set of glasses. I must stress that I have not tried this particular set as I went for the ones you saw in the video. But they look very similar and may be worth looking at? Hope that helps
Do you use a magnifier of some kind when you are building / painting? How do you find it? Are there any other elements of model making you wish there was a better option for?