I am going to be in Charleston for a couple of days. I was wondering
if anyone could recommend a place where I can try out some binocular
loupes, or glasses. I sort of first want to try out a set before I
buy
some.
Thanks,
Hans
http://www.meevis.com
http://hansmeevis.blogspot.com
Hans,
We are birders and we bought our binoculars from Audubon in MA. My
husband chose Zeiss binoculars. Charleston has an active Audubon
group and it is likely that they know where to buy binoculars for
birding and they are no different that binoculars for other needs.
The Charleston Audubon &
Natural History Society
P.O. Box 504
Charleston, South Carolina 29402
http://www.CharlestonAudubon.org
President - Paul Nolan 843.953.7076
A biologist on faculty at the Citadel, Paul brings a passion for
birding as well as an academic perspective and scientific knowledge
to the group.
Charleston Audubon or the President Paul Nolan will be able to
suggest where to buy binoculars.
Good luck. Mary A
We are birders and we bought our binoculars from Audubon in MA. My husband chose Zeiss binoculars. Charleston has an active Audubon group and it is likely that they know where to buy binoculars for birding and they are no different that binoculars for other needs.
Except that bird watching binoculars magnify things at a distance.
I’m pretty sure what Hans is looking for are the things that sort of
look like a pair of eyeglasses, except with tiny telescopes for each
eye, intended for use at normal hand working distances. These are
the sorts of things surgeons, or some dentists, use, not for
birdwatching. Zeiss, last I checked, would let you test drive their
binocular glasses. If you like them, keep them and pay the invoice.
If not, return them. Check the Zeiss web site. The offer was made
there, last I checked. And I would not be surprised if normal
jewelry tools suppliers who sell such, including Frei and Borel or
Rio, wouldn’t also be quite willing to accept a return if you order
them and then don’t like them. Ask first.
Peter Rowe
Hello Hans,
I purchased my binoculars from Designs for Vision. They are a little
pricey, but I use mine every day I’m at the bench, plus the customer
service is wonderful. They sent a rep out so I could try on some
glasses. The focal length of the samples were way too long, but they
measured the distance that was most useful for me and measured the
distance between my pupils to make sure the binoculars fit perfectly
(which they do). In addition, I had my middle distance vision
measured and had that prescription put into the frame lenses. So when
I look up from the binoculars, everything in the middle range of my
vision, the bench, polishing lathe, solder block, etc. is perfectly
in focus. This is great if you have middle vision problems, which as
we age everyone gets.
If DfV doesn’t have a rep in your area, maybe you can make an
appointment for a rep to see you while you’re in Charleston. I have
the 4.5x standard field lenses on the black anodized aluminum
frames. I avoided the expanded field lenses as they are a little too
heavy for extended wear, but they are worth trying on just to see
what they can do for you. The company normally sells to doctors and
dentists, so they may call you Dr. Meevis when they have you on the
phone, plus the web site is obviously geared toward the health care
professional. All in all, this is one of the best investments I’ve
ever made, and far exceeds any other binocular glasses I ever used or
seen, and I tried a lot of them.
Larry
Cary, NC
I think it’s the Zeiss medical binocular glasses you’re talking
about, designed for micro-surgery. There are three or more focal
ranges - 30cm, 40cm and 45cm, so it is important to be able to test
drive. The first pair I tried had a focal length of 45cm, and I
couldn’t work with them at all -
felt as though I was trying to work with my arms outstretched. The
30cm on the other hand - ah, bless Zeiss. They are worth every penny
to my aging eyes.
I found mine through the Zeiss medical division who have a
representative here in Perth, West Australia - probably not much
different elsewhere in the world.
Hans, if it is you that is looking for them - yes, I know they are
expensive. But they are wonderful - they are light, have a good wide
focal area, good depth of field, you can look around the side of
them if you need a tool that’s not within the focal range, my eyes
don’t tire as much. I have my own prescription lenses in the
spectacles to which the binoculars are fixed, so when I don’t need
the binoculars for a while, I just angle them up out of the way.
Jane Walker
This question was addressed extensively no so long ago by some of
the best minds that contribute to Orchid.
I’m talking about people like Jim Binnion; I don’t include myself in
that group.
The good binoculars are pricey and the experiences vary. Go to the
archives for the full discussion. It may be worth your while.
KPK