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Help for my aging eyes.
- Thread starter ScrapMetal
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2011
- Messages
- 2,082
I became interested in these in an effort to get a longer focal length than my 3x "readers". I have found myself in need of getting a better view of the piece I'm working on but not wanting, or not able, to get my face within a few inches of the end mill (especially when cutting up to a line - DRO not hooked up yet), likewise when turning on the lathe, or even taking measurements in awkward spots. I don't know if these will solve these issues for me but they looked worth a try.
-Ron
-Ron
Based on the picture and the other descriptions, I knew what to expect. I did let them know about the inconsistency via eBay's feedback.
I'd still like to hear your review, Ron.
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2011
- Messages
- 2,082
It took three and a half weeks to get here. I'm not complaining. The shipping was very reasonable, especially when you figure it came from the opposite side of the world. 
Here is what it looks like (in and out) of the box:
As expected, I received the whole shebang. Optics, LED light, battery pack, and charger. It also comes with a couple of extra "clips" that I'm not real sure how they are used, a cloth to wipe the lenses, and a small screw driver to adjust the tension on the binocular mount.
I charged up the pack and tested out the light. I was surprised just how much light, concentrated on an area 4" in diameter at the focal length of the binocs. The ON/OFF control for the light also functions as a dimmer so it can be set to whatever is appropriate at the time. The light is on a 6' cord so the battery pack could be placed in any shirt or pants pocket. Looks like a winner so far.
The glasses themselves are the same quality as the plastic sunglasses/reading glasses that you can pick up anywhere but they do have a comfortable, large rubber nose piece. I figure that the nose piece is a "must" in order so that the added weight from the binocs/spot light doesn't tear up the bridge of your nose. I was expecting this quality level, considering the price, so I don't consider that a drawback. I do need to point out though that there is an inherent drawback to these glasses and that is they are NOT safety glasses or safety rated in any way as they were never intended to stop more than tooth swarf and spittle. A little more on this point later.
The mounting bracket and tubes for the optics are plastic as well but it appears that the lenses are glass. The is a knob on the top to change the width to match your eyes. It took me a minute or two of fooling around with it to get them set properly (it went much faster after I took the lense caps off). Once adjusted I found that the optics are fairly good. The focal length is roughly 14" or so and the image is well magnified. I'm pretty sure the 3.5x is accurate. As I stated before, this extended focal length is what I was looking for. I too often find myself leaning over the mill with my head cocked to try and see how close I'm getting to the scribed line as I'm turning the crank or have my hand on the power feed. I'm expecting these to allow me to keep my face another 8" or so away from the action. I expect they will also have applications where I'm am doing setups on both the lathe and mill. Time will tell.
I haven't had a chance to use them yet but at this point I'm pretty happy with my purchase especially given the price that I paid. Here is the original listing that I bought from on ebay: Black Dental Surgical Binocular Loupes The only difference that I see from the picture is that there are no knurled knobs on the tops of each loupe. The do pivot slightly on the back screw instead. If you look on ebay these things are listed all over the place, in different colors, different packages, etc. so while I am happy with the one I selected I'm sure there are many others that are just as good. I'm pretty sure they all come from the same factory.
Now, as to them not being safety rated. Once I see how well they work in my routines I'll consider a couple of options. Either trying to find some certified lenses that will fit, or can be modified to fit, in the frames (unlikely but hey, it's worth a try) or to see if the binocs can be mounted to a pair of normal safety glasses. I don't think it would be too difficult to make a small adapter for them. Another "mod" that I will consider is to "reverse engineer" the whole binoc assembly (less the lenses) and make it out of aluminum. Again, seems like it would be relatively simple to fabricate although the list of projects I need to get done first is so long it will be a while before that is even considered.
If you have any questions just let me know. I'll post more about my impressions of using them once I'm in the shop and getting them dirty.
-Ron
Here is what it looks like (in and out) of the box:
As expected, I received the whole shebang. Optics, LED light, battery pack, and charger. It also comes with a couple of extra "clips" that I'm not real sure how they are used, a cloth to wipe the lenses, and a small screw driver to adjust the tension on the binocular mount.
I charged up the pack and tested out the light. I was surprised just how much light, concentrated on an area 4" in diameter at the focal length of the binocs. The ON/OFF control for the light also functions as a dimmer so it can be set to whatever is appropriate at the time. The light is on a 6' cord so the battery pack could be placed in any shirt or pants pocket. Looks like a winner so far.
The glasses themselves are the same quality as the plastic sunglasses/reading glasses that you can pick up anywhere but they do have a comfortable, large rubber nose piece. I figure that the nose piece is a "must" in order so that the added weight from the binocs/spot light doesn't tear up the bridge of your nose. I was expecting this quality level, considering the price, so I don't consider that a drawback. I do need to point out though that there is an inherent drawback to these glasses and that is they are NOT safety glasses or safety rated in any way as they were never intended to stop more than tooth swarf and spittle.
A little more on this point later.The mounting bracket and tubes for the optics are plastic as well but it appears that the lenses are glass. The is a knob on the top to change the width to match your eyes. It took me a minute or two of fooling around with it to get them set properly (it went much faster after I took the lense caps off
). Once adjusted I found that the optics are fairly good. The focal length is roughly 14" or so and the image is well magnified. I'm pretty sure the 3.5x is accurate. As I stated before, this extended focal length is what I was looking for. I too often find myself leaning over the mill with my head cocked to try and see how close I'm getting to the scribed line as I'm turning the crank or have my hand on the power feed. I'm expecting these to allow me to keep my face another 8" or so away from the action. I expect they will also have applications where I'm am doing setups on both the lathe and mill. Time will tell.I haven't had a chance to use them yet but at this point I'm pretty happy with my purchase especially given the price that I paid. Here is the original listing that I bought from on ebay: Black Dental Surgical Binocular Loupes The only difference that I see from the picture is that there are no knurled knobs on the tops of each loupe. The do pivot slightly on the back screw instead. If you look on ebay these things are listed all over the place, in different colors, different packages, etc. so while I am happy with the one I selected I'm sure there are many others that are just as good. I'm pretty sure they all come from the same factory.
Now, as to them not being safety rated. Once I see how well they work in my routines I'll consider a couple of options. Either trying to find some certified lenses that will fit, or can be modified to fit, in the frames (unlikely but hey, it's worth a try) or to see if the binocs can be mounted to a pair of normal safety glasses. I don't think it would be too difficult to make a small adapter for them. Another "mod" that I will consider is to "reverse engineer" the whole binoc assembly (less the lenses) and make it out of aluminum. Again, seems like it would be relatively simple to fabricate although the list of projects I need to get done first is so long it will be a while before that is even considered.
If you have any questions just let me know. I'll post more about my impressions of using them once I'm in the shop and getting them dirty.
-Ron
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2011
- Messages
- 4,142
I do not find that my 4X reading glasses get me unduly close to my lathe. I don't usually wear them at the milling machine. My regular glasses have 2 3/4 magnification. But,as mentioned,I have implanted lenses in my eyes which I fully recommend. Medicare will pay for the single focus ones. New lenses do not take care of everything that can add to bad vision,but they sure help with getting rid of cataracts. And,you don't even know the operation is being performed,I promise!! I was nervous about it,but I was "consciously sedated" and when the doctor said "we're done",I was very surprised.
The lenses on my glasses are polycarbonate. Maybe if yours are glass, the whole assembly is more rigid. Do they provide reliable binocular vision?
The plastic clip in the middle front of your first picture looks similar to the piece used in mine to flip up the loupes. Mine mounts around the adjustment screw on the loupe crossbar.
The plastic clip in the middle front of your first picture looks similar to the piece used in mine to flip up the loupes. Mine mounts around the adjustment screw on the loupe crossbar.
I've found reader type safety glasses. I ordered mine from McMaster-Carr, but a quick google search shows many more suppliers, including Amazon. My work environment and requirements had me switching between safety and regular reading glasses or compromising on one or the other, but now I don't have to. They're great...and it provides me with a backup when I'm at my desk and can't find my regular reading glasses.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#safety-glasses-magnifiers/=qc2kb9
http://www.mcmaster.com/#safety-glasses-magnifiers/=qc2kb9
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2011
- Messages
- 2,082
I can't say for certain that the binocular lenses are glass but when I tap them with the tip of a screwdriver I hear a "tink" instead of a "clunk". If polymer they are certainly "optical grade" as I ge excellent image quality through them. I would expect the major details of mine to be the same as yours but here are some close-ups of the mount and nose piece:
I too have bifocal safety glasses (3M brand I believe) but as I've mentioned before, the focal length (for me anyway) is a bit too short for comfort. When I do manual milling without DRO (no, I haven't found the time to install mine yet
) I have to get my face way too close to the action as I'm approaching my scribed lines. Thinking about it, I could mount a large magnifier to the mill, drill press, lathe, etc. but these seemed like a cheaper, more portable solution to try first.-Ron
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2016
- Messages
- 12
Old topic but I just bought some Dental Loupes on Amazon myself and I'm very pleased with the long focal length. I got the ones with the flip up/down and it's perfect with an exceptionally powerful bright LED light. Sure beats Jeweler Loupes and you can look at things close without catching your head in the spindle. Seriously worth it