10x Optivisor

Jewelry Discussion
1

Was: Couple of questions about flush setting

I would love to have a hands-free 10x loupe. I cannot afford the
stereo microscope. RioGrande doesn't have an optivisor with a 10X
magnification (hands free). Would you need to buy this for me or
would it be easier for you for me to buy it directly? I searched
Yahoo but couldn't find a listing."

It seemed to me there was such an animal. Looking at it, it would
seem that opivizor and most others, with lens combinations, go up to
5x, maximum. This is all most suppliers carry, probably because of
low requests. (I seem to have far less trouble finding things than
many; maybe it’s just a knack for thinking up stupid questions to
type into the search engine.)

This place has Interchangeable or replacement lens plates for the
Optivisor in x3, 5, 7, or 10 strengths. I would bet they have, or
would get, one of those single eyepieces, or loop, an accessory for
this, that would give you 10x depending on the magnification (in
combo) of the main lens. http://www.sightconnection.com/oplepl.html

This is something anyone may wish to look at. Eyeglass Loupe 9X,
will fit any pair of glasses, such as safety glasses etc.
http://www.amlap.com/alw/magnifiers.html

I cannot afford the stereo microscope.

that just might not be as accurate as supposed. Although most cheep
solutions are just that, and can range from marginal to a waste of
money. (There are but a few exceptions.) However, although still not
inexpensive, you may want to look at this. On this page, just below
the picture there is a, “Testimonials and reviews.” Click on
International Gem Society, this will take you to a product review, at
the site. “Though you have to add a few accessories for gemological
study, this microscope is still highly recommended. I don’t know of
any other microscope that can equal its appearance, quality of optics
and ease of use for anywhere near this price.”

http://www.greatscopes.com/achi.htm

2 
This place has Interchangeable or replacement lens plates for the
Optivisor in x3, 5, 7, or 10 strengths. I would bet they have, or
would get, one of those single eyepieces, or loop, an accessory
for this, that would give you 10x depending on the magnification
(in combo) of the main lens.
http://www.sightconnection.com/oplepl.html

Don’t confuse diopter with magnification. They are related but are
not the same. The diopter strength of a lens is simply the reciprocal
of the focal length in meters; thus a 4 diopter lens has a focal
length of 250mm and a 10 diopter 100mm. There is a relationship
between the focal length and the magnification, but without going
into the maths: 3 diopter is about 1.75X, 5 diopter approx. 2.25X, 7
diopter approx. 2.7X, and 10 diopter approx. 3.5X. The 10x you quote
is actually 10 diopter, or about a magnification of about 3.5X.

Regards, Gary Wooding

3

If you don’t really need stereo vision, there is a swing down loupe
add-on for the Optivisor. I don’t remember who made it but I found
it at MicroMark.com. They also carry the LED lighting rim and both
can be attached at once.

Diane

4 
I would love to have a hands-free 10x loupe. I cannot afford the
stereo microscope.

I said that too.

But after a life changing experience, I decided to go ahead and
spend the money and get the GRS/Meiji Microscope with stand and with
all the bells and whistles, and a GraverMax with a handpiece & foot
peddle and bench block and PowerHone.
http://www.grstools.com/microscope.html#meiji

I’d say it was the best purchase of my career.

I still use OptiVisors (#7 & #10 with loupe) but that microscope and
stuff is the s_ _ t!

Doc