++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 21:44:53 -0700 From: "Ron D' Eau Claire" Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Magnifying Glasses ? George, WA5UIH asked: Anyone have any opinions on some of these headband > magnifiers like Mag Eyes or Optivisor. I really need some > magnification when I am soldering. I do wear reading glasses. Would > other types of magnifiers be better, such style, etc. I have used an Optivisor for over ten years, both professionally and in my Ham building. I've also tried various magnifying lamps, Jeweler's loupes, etc., and while they all work, the Optivisor is by far the best device IMHO. You get magnified binocular vision and, yes, there is room for eyeglasses 'under' the Optivisor. I use #4 lenses and then I can put my 'reading glasses' on under them for really powerful close work, or take them off and have a medium level of magnification about twice as strong as my normal reading lenses. The only drawback to the Optivisor is that they are very comfortable and easy to flip up when not in use. That can be a drawback in situations such as when I'd forget I had them on my head and flipped up and walk out of the lab for cup of coffee. The looks on the young women's faces was anything but... er.... "inspiring"... not to mention the male guffaws... Ron AC7AC K2 # 1289 +++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 1 Sep 2001 00:16:26 -0500 From: "Andy Anderson" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Magnifying Glasses ? I own the Optivisor, and could not build without them -- not to mention tying flies (flyfishing). I have found that some of the capacitor printing is so small, these old eyes need two magnifiers: The Optivisor + the Giraffe Light/Magnifier. I am very satisfied with them, as they have an easily adjustable, padded headband. Andy W5VCJ +++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 1 Sep 2001 06:39:29 -0400 From: kb1dxc at discovernet.net (kb1dxc) Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Magnifying Glasses ? Hello George, I also required magnification to solder my K2(s/n 02097). I was fortunate that my xyl purchased a real neat magnifier for me as a b/d present. It is about 2.5 inches diameter on a goose neck. The base is a pretty good size quite heavy piece of metal. I was able to adjust this just about any way I like it. If I am not mistaken this magnifier was in the $20.00 to $25.00 price range. Many folks mentioned these lighted magnifiers that have the flourescent tube but thier magnification is quite low and the price is quite high. I am pleased with the type that I have. Good luck, Mike, KB1DXC +++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 01 Sep 2001 07:50:30 -0500 From: Tom Hammond =?iso-8859-1?Q?N=D8SS?= Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Magnifying Glasses ? George: I would not build ANYTHING WITHOUT my Optivisor. I have one with a x2.5 or x3 magnification. Puts your nose pretty close to your work, but I can see everything! NOTHING ELSE EVEN COMES CLOSE! Tom Hammond N0SS ++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 1 Sep 2001 13:40:04 -0700 From: "Ron D' Eau Claire" Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Magnifying Glasses ? Bruce wrote: I'm building my K2 and I wish I > could find an optivsor here in Saskatchewan... ;-( They can be ordered on-line. I have seen many sources such as http://www.casker.com/. I'd be surprised if there weren't a few based in Canada as well. Ron AC7AC K2 #1289 +++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2001 00:49:13 -0400 From: "ZOOM" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Magnifying Glasses- one more time Hi All; This may be of interest to everyone and I'm happy to share my findings: When I built my SMK-1 I found wearing a visor helped allot in getting the small smt items correctly aligned. There was one drawback for me however! After looking through the visor for a while I started to get a headache and had to rest my eyes before starting again. So necessity being the mother of invention I came up with an idea that would eliminate sore eyes and neck when soldering or doing any type of intricate work. I made a stand and mounted a old style video camera to it. You know the kind where you would carry the VCR with you. Well I was hoping by just mounting it would be enough but I soon noticed that I could not zoom in close because I would lose focus. I also couldn't use the macro function because in order to get real close, the camera would almost touch the board leaving no room to work. Then I remembered a story about the Hubble telescope and the problems they had with getting it to focus and how they corrected it by adding corrective lenses to it. So off to the hardware store I went and bought some 4" magnifying glasses. I then turned on the camera and zoomed in close. The picture was real fuzzy! Next I took the magnifying lens and moved it in and out of the cameras light of sight and low and behold a perfect picture on my monitor magnified to about 20X. I now only solder this way. I no longer do I have to be bent over looking at the board with visors on. No more neck pain or headaches. I can sit perfectly straight and looking into the monitor and align and solder with ease. It's like doing surgery! You can use a modern camcoder for this as well but you will still need a corrective lens. You're better off getting an old used camera though! No need burning your good camera out. Besides I paid $5 for the camera I'm using. For those who have trouble reading, this idea is great also for reading books, magazines or whatever. I think the machine they sell to help people read is over $2000. You can build this for as little as $5.00. Not only that you can connect it to your TV! If you have a big screen holy cow!! I would be happy to send pics of my solder monitor station and info to anyone interested. Perhaps an article for QST for broader ditribution!! Cheers, Robert VE3RPF - ----- Original Message ----- From: "George Winship" To: "elecraft k2" Sent: Sunday, September 09, 2001 11:53 PM Subject: [Elecraft] Magnifying Glasses- one more time > Hi all, > > Got my Optivisor Friday but did not get a chance to try them until > tonight. They make a world of difference. Found that if I wear my > reading glasses on the tip of my nose with the Optivisor just above > them, that I can read my instruction manual with my reading glasses > and then look up a bit and see the circuit board with the Optivisor. > Much less fatigue. Tnx agn to all who sent suggestions. > > > BTW, no association with Optivisor. > > 73, > George, WA5UIH > K2-2217 ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2001 14:39:23 -0400 From: "ZOOM" Subject: [Elecraft] Pics of my monitor magnifier Here are the pics of my Monitor magnifier. The monitor pic is hard to take on a camera due to the flyback and refresh rates. I assure you the end result is an absolutely clear, huge and bright image. This pic does not do it justice but you get the idea. A small desk lamp should be used to illuminate the area if there is not adequate lighting. http://valveman.tripod.ca/monitor.jpg http://valveman.tripod.ca/soldersetup.jpg Cheers, Robert VE3RPF +++++++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 27 Jan 2002 09:19:51 -0600 To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net From: Tom Hammond =?iso-8859-1?Q?N=D8SS?= Cc: neil at aade.com Subject: [Elecraft] Head-mounted magnifiers WOW! I just visited the AADE (Almost All Digital Electronics) web site http://www.aade.com/#magnifier and they are offering a GREAT price, $11.50 + shpg, for a multi-magnification head-mounted magnifier which should just the ticket for Elecraft builders. The only possible drawback might be the somewhat narrow headband. Otherwise, the levels of magnification should be great. Note that, with the highest level of magnification, the focal point will seem to nearly have your nose ON your wirk, but there are times when this is not a bad thing, esp. when you're searching for that elusive solder short. Though I don't personally advocate the use of LIGHTED (head-mounted) magnifiers,which are battery-powered, I know that some folks swear by them. This product also offers individually switched lights which are integral to the magnifier assembly. However, they do not have to be used in order to use the magnifier. Although there are available should you decide to use them. For comparison, most head-mounted magnifiers with these features usually sell for 2X this price. Just thought I'd pass this info on. 73 - Tom Hammond N0SS PS While you're there, check out some of the MANY other 'attractions' Neil (owner of AADE) has available.... some really neat 'stuff' there, to be usre. ++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2002 12:12:31 -0400 From: "ZOOM" To: , "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [124871] Re: Magnification for Soldering I use an old commadore monitor and an old videoecamera. Total cost was about $20. The camera mounts abaove where I'm soldering and I watch what I'm doing in the monitor. No need to squint of hunch over. I can get over X45 magnification. Regards, Robert VE3RPF ----- Original Message ----- From: "George Reeves" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2002 11:54 AM Subject: Magnification for Soldering > I've come to the point that I have to admit my eyes are not as sharp as > they were when I was 40...so what do you use for kitbuilding so that you > can see what you are doing? > > I was looking initially for a lighted, magnifying headset...but now I'm > looking at a headset called Mageyes...it's not lighted but can be worn > with regular glasses. > > What are your experiences with this? What magnification do you use? Is > 2X sufficient for kitbuilding or have you had to buy an accessory lens? > > If you've used something other than Mageyes and like it, what is it and > where can I purchase it? > > Thanks for the info. > > George WA4TNU +++++++++++++++ From: "Bob Tellefsen" To: "ZOOM" , "Norman W Osborne VE3CJE" , Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Optivisor Date: Fri, 16 Aug 2002 10:01:39 -0700 Sounds like my dentist. Interesting to see a tooth about the size of a half loaf of bread. Sure can see the details. 73, Bob N6WG -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-admin at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-admin at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of ZOOM Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2002 7:28 PM To: Norman W Osborne VE3CJE; elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Optivisor Modified video camera with added lens to give 40+ magnification connected to a video monitor. No bending over to solder. I look straight into the monitor and solder. No fumes either. I spent about $20 to put this together. Scrounge around! Any TV with video in will work also. Cheers, Robert VE3RPF ++++++++++++++++++