Blind Willi 😎: Magnifier light wanted

[rock soderstrom]

My eyes are getting worse and are clearly reaching their limits with small-scale work, now.

Therefore, I am looking for a magnifying lamp and wanted to ask you what you have in use.

What magnification or diopters would be right for soldering work (TTH & SMD) control of solder joints and other small-scale work.

Cool would be an extension arm that can be flexibly aligned.

What size would be advisable? Recommendable products? What are your experiences? What would it cost?

PS; are the products from the beauty industry any good for our work?

 

[abbey road d enfer]

I have tried several solutions. My favourite is that:
https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B06Y54XZ4N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1Before, I had that:
https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B07JM8ZTFQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1Seemed like a good idea, because the gooseneck is supposed to allow extra flexibility regarding position of the lamp. However it turns out that the gooseneck is so rigid the clamp can't sustain the effort.
One must screw the clamp to the table/bench.
I also had a wheeled lamp/magnifier, but it was a Fresnel lens. Terrible.
I find the x5 magnification adequate in most cases. If I need more I have several reading glasses to add.

 

[Brian Roth]

The units made by Luxo and clones are my favorites. Examples:

https://www.luxo-lighting.com/luxo-magnifiers
Luxo is expensive. Clones exist.

Bri

 

[pucho812]

I am lucky I am near sighted. However I use 2 things for this. One I have the magnifying lamp, it's a luxo knock off and has been rock solid since I purchased it. I also have a klein tools recharageable lamp that I wear on my head. it's like a miners light but is led and recharges via mini USB adaptor.
was so worth the 40 bucks it cost me. here is a link to what I am referring too.
head lamp

 

[Gold]

I’ve thought about getting a magnifying lamp a bunch of times but have never pulled the trigger. I think it’s because space is limited and i already have a lamp on an articulating arm that i don't want to give up. Two swinging arms might be too much.

i use a headband magnification visor like this. Headband Magnifier Visor with 2.5x and 8" Inch Focal Length Magnifier.com

You can get different magnifications and focal lengths. I’ve been happy using it.

 

[Bo Deadly]

Here's an idea: Find the lamp based on the bulb. You know those magnifier lamps have a circular florescent light bulb. So find out which bulb is the most popular and most obtainable in your area and then find out the lamps that use that bulb.

Although I've had one for many years and it has yet to burn out, I have knocked it with a tool by accident many times and it's a miracle that it didn't break and release mercury vapor into my face. But those circular lamps with a giant lens in the middle is a good way to go. I use it a lot and not just for E. The Luxo ones are definitely pro.

 

[Brian Roth]

The new Luxos use a string of LEDs for illumination. My ancient clone uses a 22 Watt, 8" diameter Circleline fluorescent.

Bri

 

[Bo Deadly]

My ancient clone uses a 22 Watt, 8" diameter Circleline fluorescent.

Same exact here. An 8" Circline "T9".

 

[rock soderstrom]

Thanks for all the responses and suggestions! I'm looking at all the linked products, there are many interesting solutions among them.

The Luxo products look very professional, a friend has something similar, a German brand with Zeiss glass and super stable mechanics. This means that the visual performance is high and the arm stays exactly where you want it with all the flexibility. No sagging.

Unfortunately the prices are also "super" and out of my budget at the moment.

I think abbey's suggestion is pretty cool. The question is, how good is the mechanical handling of this device?

Space on my table is actually an issue as well, so these goggle-like solutions definitely have their appeal. I'd have to try that out, how well does that work for me?

I'm not sure about the magnification factor yet. That seems to be a compromise between achievable magnification, distance and focal length/ DOF. The following link shows the problem, unfortunately only in German.

https://www.lupenleuchte.de/welche-vergroesserung/

 

[PermO]

A couple years ago I scored a industrial Sony object camera at an electronics market for 40 euros.

I also have the standard Velleman magnefying lamp, magnification is ok but I don't like the white light, it's too blue, it messes up all the colors.

 

[PermO]

Oh wow.. this thread made me remember I once saved a really nice lens from a Philips lab fixture that got trown out.
I just found it, nicely wrapped and decided to see if it fits my Velleman fixture.... Just perfect !

That makes a huge difference !

Anybody want a free Velleman lens ?

 

[Script]

The Chinese sell cheap "magnifying eye glasses" on eBay, some for jewellery work, others for needlework, some even with LEDs. I use something like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/174295703060?hash=item2894d55e14:g:YP4AAOSwmMBezON-

 

[BlindedByScience]

I picked up this one and have been very happy with it. LED's are nice and bright; easy to recommend for a reasonably priced unit.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K10XA1O?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[rock soderstrom]

Thanks guys for your suggestions and experiences! I think I will go for abbey's favorite or similiar.

 

[Whoops]

I use this one and it's great



https://www.servelec.pt/candeeiro-com-lupa-5-dioptrias-22w-branco-prok-lumi22w

 

[swpaskett]

So far as magnification is concerned, 10 diopter is too much. I have a headband mag with 10 diopter lenses and I have to get the work so close to my face I am afraid I'll poke the soldering iron up my nose. My other tool is an Ottlight with LED lighting that is not too harsh and 2x mag with a 5x insert.

 

[abbey road d enfer]

I use this one and it's great

View attachment 81572

https://www.servelec.pt/candeeiro-com-lupa-5-dioptrias-22w-branco-prok-lumi22w

I had two of those before and I put them out of use, because the joints eventually wear out and can't provide firm adjustment

 

[Whoops]

I had two of those before and I put them out of use, because the joints eventually wear out and can't provide firm adjustment

We use 2 of these for 7 years now. The sphere joint of the Light/magnified got loose 2 years ago, but I opened it up and there's a washer/spring inside that keeps pressure on the sphere I just had to readjust that, give it a bit of tension and the joint works well again

 

[abbey road d enfer]

We use 2 of these for 7 years now. The sphere joint of the Light/magnified got loose 2 years ago, but I opened it up and there's a washer/spring inside that keeps pressure on the sphere I just had to readjust that, give it a bit of tension and the joint works well again

Ah! Good. I'll have a look at mine and see if I can salvage them.

 

[Whoops]

If your system works the same way as mine, you have to open more the washer that puts tension on the sphere, overtime the washer hole becomes smaller you have to open it up. Try it out because these are really useful units