Headband magnifier – blessed relief!

[jaCK HobsonParticipant @jackhobson50760]

I have two optivisors (can't beat them) and one clone. The clone comes with 4 glass lenses all for £20. I use these for mucky conditions. Main difference is not the optical quality but the comfort of the headband.

[OuBallieParticipant @ouballie]

jaCK Hobson,

Details of the clone please.

Geoff (OuBallie) – Back in business I hope from too long a layoff.

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

I have changed the the loupe to the "other side" s my left eye is my dominant one.

[Andy StopfordParticipant @andystopford50521]

Posted by OuBallie on 10/02/2023 17:43:26:

jaCK Hobson,

Details of the clone please.

Geoff (OuBallie) – Back in business I hope from too long a layoff.

Geoff, have a look on ebay with "optivisor" as the search term, loads of them come up in the £15 – £20 bracket; they all appear the same and none of them have been anywhere near Donegan Optical, but, as Jack says, they're OK, probably not very durable and could do with a bit of extra padding, but fine if you're not wearing the thing all day.

[OuBallieParticipant @ouballie]

Thanks Andy.

Geoff – Late in response due to toothache!

[jaCK HobsonParticipant @jackhobson50760]

magnifier headband on Amazon also gets some options. Mine was a present from my amazon wish list… so probably this:

[Chris MateParticipant @chrismate31303]

I have optivisor nr 3&4 and one day dog got something in eye, at vet I decided to mention to him about these optivisors, I went home got them, he used it was so impressed they borrowed it for two days to confirm and ordered for them new ones to use. THe glasses are very good and made to use with your own glasses on.
The only drawback is safety glasses with it, but I am sure one can add a face shield modified one or ther way if need be.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Just posting a link to this short video, because it conveniently describes the numbering system for the OptiVisor lenses.

https://youtu.be/y-P4L2rjKHg

The information is also available elsewhere, of course.

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 25/02/2023 21:09:27

[Kiwi BlokeParticipant @kiwibloke62605]

Does anyone remember the 'Versator' (Mk III), made and supplied by Mason & Gauntlett Ltd, of Norwich? IIRC, advertised in ME in the '60s, onwards, until…? Prismatic, glass lenses, substantially, if rather crudely, made. I really must get around to replacing the forehead pad and the headband for my set. I have no idea how it may compare with the current Optivisors. Anyone got any comments?

I'm currently using a cheap, oriental Optivisor clone and various 'Ready Readers', in various strengths – a skinflint's solution, and perhaps optically rather limited.

Edited By Kiwi Bloke on 26/02/2023 09:36:53

[Robin GrahamParticipant @robingraham42208]

I've been struggling too. I do have a headband magnifier, one of those with flip-down acrylic lenses, not one of the very cheap things (I think it cost ~£30) but it's not great. In particular I've been having problems soldering components to strip board. Because my eyes are 'unbalanced' I have problems with depth perception.

Partly on the basis of the glowing recommendations here I've splashed out on a genuine Optivisor. Night and day! Best for me is that I can use them with my varifocal prescription specs looking through the 'distance' part of the lenses. That seems to have eliminated the depth perception problem. I couldn't use the cheaper set with my specs on – physically possible, but harder to focus. No idea why there is this difference, perhaps someone who understands optics can explain!

Posted by jaCK Hobson on 10/02/2023 12:55:30:

I have two optivisors (can't beat them) and one clone. The clone comes with 4 glass lenses all for £20. I use these for mucky conditions. Main difference is not the optical quality but the comfort of the headband.

Are the lenses supplied with the clones physically compatible with the Optivisor headset jaCK? I bought the x2.5 Optivisor, which is good for what I'm doing, but if I want other magnifications it would make sense to buy a clone with all the lenses provided that they are optically equivalent and physically compatible.

On other points, the headband on my one looks like PU 'leather', so perhaps will go mushy with time, but on the positive side it looks like Donegan have got the message about studs on the lens holder becoming loose – now secured with screws and nuts

Robin.

 

Edited By Robin Graham on 19/03/2023 23:58:34

[jaCK HobsonParticipant @jackhobson50760]

Posted by Robin Graham on 19/03/2023 23:54:27:

 

Are the lenses supplied with the clones physically compatible with the Optivisor headset jaCK? I bought the x2.5 Optivisor, which is good for what I'm doing, but if I want other magnifications it would make sense to buy a clone with all the lenses provided that they are optically equivalent and physically compatible.

Edited By Robin Graham on 19/03/2023 23:58:34

Physically seem near enough. Holes on same distance apart.

The optics are not as good – mainly the angle of the lens. Optivisors are angled appropriatley for the focus distance; not so noticeable on the cheapos and takes a moment to adjust. I use them in harsher conditions e.g. workshop for saw sharpening. They do seem to be glass. The come with 4 extra plastic studs… but I prefer bolts.

try this – simple torch upgrade! https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08345PTNL?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

 

Edited By jaCK Hobson on 20/03/2023 09:09:32

[Taf_PembsParticipant @taf_pembs]

I bought a Fanccii head magnifier like this one a good while ago, loads of adjustment, decent light on it, can easily see round it when needed and comes with 5 different lenses.

I love it but then I haven't tried an optivisor

Fanccii magnifier

I don't know how I managed without it but then I've been lucky with eye sight until very recently and now struggle close up.. age ay, it doesn't come on its own!

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

Hi Kiwi Bloke yes I have a set of those, got them from a RAF Tech about 30 years ago. Mine are bakelite and the headband is now replaced with a Halcyon goggles headband, the fore head piece is not covered the bakelite goes straight to your forehead. I do now use an Optivisor and it's difficult to tell the difference in optical quality it's just that the comfort is better with the Optivisor. I do occasionally walk past the building where they were made as I am a Norfolk Boy.

[Robin GrahamParticipant @robingraham42208]

Posted by jaCK Hobson on 20/03/2023 09:08:32:

Posted by Robin Graham on 19/03/2023 23:54:27:

Are the lenses supplied with the clones physically compatible with the Optivisor headset jaCK? I bought the x2.5 Optivisor, which is good for what I'm doing, but if I want other magnifications it would make sense to buy a clone with all the lenses provided that they are optically equivalent and physically compatible.

Edited By Robin Graham on 19/03/2023 23:58:34

Physically seem near enough. Holes on same distance apart.

The optics are not as good – mainly the angle of the lens. Optivisors are angled appropriatley for the focus distance; not so noticeable on the cheapos and takes a moment to adjust. I use them in harsher conditions e.g. workshop for saw sharpening. They do seem to be glass. The come with 4 extra plastic studs… but I prefer bolts.

try this – simple torch upgrade! https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08345PTNL?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Edited By jaCK Hobson on 20/03/2023 09:09:32

Thanks – sounds like the clones are worth a punt. Your comment about the angling of the lenses makes sense of some negative reviews about the clones I've read on Amazon.

Torch looks good – the Donegan offering (advertised as xenon – presumably not xenon arc!) seems overpriced for what it does. Thanks for the link.

Robin.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Robin Graham on 20/03/2023 23:30:05:

[…]

Torch looks good – the Donegan offering (advertised as xenon – presumably not xenon arc!) seems overpriced for what it does. Thanks for the link.

Robin.

.

Xenon is added to slightly improve the classic Tungsten-Halogen cycle of ‘torch bulbs’

MichaelG.

.

Ref. __ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halogen_lamp

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 21/03/2023 06:28:34

[Robin GrahamParticipant @robingraham42208]

To pick this up again I bought the Donegan with the #5 (x2.5) lens plate and it is certainly a leap up from the cheapos I've had in the past – optical quality rather than comfort of wearing, which doesn't concern me too much. When I decided that would like an additional lens plate or two (~£45 each) I thought it was worth buying a clone (£20 inc. 4 lens plates) from Amazon just for the lenses – I could always send back if no good. I went for this.

Comparing the 2.5x clone lenses with the Donegans in the Donegan headset I could detect little difference – perhaps a tad longer for my eyes to adapt to form an image uninterrupted by a central bar with the clone lenses. Using the clone headset I couldn't form an uninterrupted image with either the Donegan or clone lens plates. The clone lenses all performed well in the Donegan headset but less well in the clone headset. The difference between the headsets:

 

The (genuine) Optivisor positions the lens plate about 2cm closer to the eyes than the clone. That seems to be the only material difference.

Upshot is that I shall be keeping the clone set if only for the lenses and it seems straightforward to modify the clone headset. I don't understand why, given that the the magnifier is an obvious copy of the original Optivisor, they have deviated in this detail.

Robin.

 

Edited By Robin Graham on 08/07/2023 23:21:24

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Robin Graham on 08/07/2023 23:19:26:

[…]

Comparing the 2.5x clone lenses with the Donegans in the Donegan headset I could detect little difference – perhaps a tad longer for my eyes to adapt to form an image uninterrupted by a central bar with the clone lenses. Using the clone headset I couldn't form an uninterrupted image with either the Donegan or clone lens plates. The clone lenses all performed well in the Donegan headset but less well in the clone headset.

[…]

The (genuine) Optivisor positions the lens plate about 2cm closer to the eyes than the clone. That seems to be the only material difference.

[…]

.

Very interesting, Robin

Obviously I can only hypothesise, but I think what you are seeing is the subtlety of the Donegan lens design [and the clone’s lack thereof].

If I recall correctly, the Donegan lenses include some ‘wedge’ … this means that your gaze can remain relaxed, because the lenses are providing the convergence.

If the clone lenses are simpler [effectively parallel viewing] then your eyes need to actually converge … which involves muscular effort.

MichaelG.

[GmanParticipant @thomasgman46877]

I like these. They are lightweight and bright. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01H8808H6

[Robin GrahamParticipant @robingraham42208]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 09/07/2023 09:22:52:

Very interesting, Robin

Obviously I can only hypothesise, but I think what you are seeing is the subtlety of the Donegan lens design [and the clone’s lack thereof].

If I recall correctly, the Donegan lenses include some ‘wedge’ … this means that your gaze can remain relaxed, because the lenses are providing the convergence.

If the clone lenses are simpler [effectively parallel viewing] then your eyes need to actually converge … which involves muscular effort.

MichaelG.

Thanks for you reply Michael. The clone lenses are, according to the seller's description, 'prismatic' as are the Donegan lenses. I was surprised that it was easier to focus using them in the Donegan headset than in the clone headset which places the lenses about 2cm further from the eyes. I can understand that if the 'wedginess' is less well done than with the Donegans there might be an advantage in placing the lenses further away because you wouldn't have to go boss-eyed as much to focus – but why do they work better in the Donegan headset? Maybe it's my old eyes, which are hardly reliable test instruments.

Can you suggest any way of making simple objective measurements which would distinguish between the characteristics of the lenses? I have a laser pointer and a makeshift optical bench…

Robin.

[MacolmParticipant @macolm]

The convergence of plain lenses is simply a matter of offsetting the centres. They need to go further apart for the L and R images to converge. Unless the focal distance and the convergence roughly match, the brain is unhappy and you get eyestrain.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Macolm on 13/07/2023 22:18:59:

The convergence of plain lenses is simply a matter of offsetting the centres. …

.

Whilst that is certainly true in the case of minor adjustment of defective vision, and is also the method used in typical stereoscopes, I don’t think it’s a practical approach for the Optivisor, where the required convergence is much greater.

MichaelG.

.

Quote from Laramy-K : If you have a job that requires prism and there is enough power in the lens, it may be possible to create the prescribed prism by simply moving the lens off-center, rather than going through the trouble and expense of having the lab create it for you. Let's take a look at what is required and how you would calculate the necessary movement to fill a prescription for prism by decentration.

.

.

Warning … this video might be considered tediously long by some members

 

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 14/07/2023 07:25:09

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Just for convenient reference:

HS Walsh appears to be a good place to purchase Optivisor in the U.K.

**LINK** : https://www.hswalsh.com/manufacturers/donegan-optical

MichaelG.

 

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 21/07/2023 07:30:19

[Ramon WilsonParticipant @ramonwilson3]

Posted by Kiwi Bloke on 26/02/2023 09:32:28:

Does anyone remember the 'Versator' (Mk III), made and supplied by Mason & Gauntlett Ltd, of Norwich? IIRC, advertised in ME in the '60s, onwards, until…? Prismatic, glass lenses, substantially, if rather crudely, made. I really must get around to replacing the forehead pad and the headband for my set. I have no idea how it may compare with the current Optivisors. Anyone got any comments?

I'm currently using a cheap, oriental Optivisor clone and various 'Ready Readers', in various strengths – a skinflint's solution, and perhaps optically rather limited.

Edited By Kiwi Bloke on 26/02/2023 09:36:53

Hi Kiwi (and Bernard)

Yes I've had a pair since around the mid eighties possibly a little earlier. As you say, the advert for them ran for years in ME – "You can do it if you can see it" etc.

Still use them on a daily basis mainly in plastic modelling, in fact wearing them only yesterday on a new project. They are still as original but the glass is not quite as clear as it used to be – I would be lost without them and would buy another pair tomorrow if I could.

Something I have done for a long time now is use SpecSavers. I always get the free second pair they usually offer with a shorter focal length (half the normal) in the bi focal lens and use as my second pair specifically for modelling. Couple these with the Versator and I can see some pretty small detail

Like so many of us though my eyes are noticeably deteriorating as the years press on

Best -Tug

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