What have you used for magnification, and how did you like it, compared to the alternatives?
I’ve been a 3x circular lamp on a rolling stand person, like most electrologists under the sun, but I’m considering an upgrade to something more comfortable.
The proper description is a 3 Diopter magnifying lamp. That is NOT the same as a 3 times magnification lamp, or 3x. Diopter is not the same.
When I used a 3 Diopter, I was not satisfied until I found a 5 Diopter, and when I got that, I went searching for better, until I found a 9 Diopter, the 9 was better for vision, but had to be too close to the work area to be practical for some work.
After shelling out for all that, I got some loupes, and they were better, but did not have a light source mated to the system, and the focal distance required me to move my body into a position and hold it if I was going to see clearly. This caused much eye strain due to blurry vision and shaky body positions.
When I shelled out for a stereo microscope, I found better vision (first 20 x’s magnification, and now 40x’s mag) and the light source was mated to the vision equipment, so what ever you are looking at, the light moves with you, and finally, the arm holds the vision equipment at the correct focal distance, as long as the client doesn’t move around too much.
This leads to less eye strain, and can lead to better working posture if you get the working distance of the lens set well for your own personal needs.
We found that Dee can’t use my scope comfortably, because with a difference of about 7 inches in height, and my longer arm reach, she can’t get into a comfortable position to work at the focal distance that works for me.
This is why I love the Stereo Microscopes. Now if I could just get the magnification of a Zeiss Opmi 1 into the framework of a Zeiss Opmi-99, I would be deliriously happy.
Wow, 40x!! If I could just have something with 5x, I think, I would be happier. But my brief experiment with a 5x lamp showed that the focal distance was uncomfortably short for me to work in. (I believe that mag to power is a 1-to-4 ratio, so a 3x lamp is 12 diopter)
What kind of loupes did you use? TTL or flip-up, and what magnification? What I want is higher magnification, long focal distance, decent field of view, and a comfortable, ergonomic seating position… Is that too much to ask? 
I am strongly considering trying it out, but what you complain about with the loupes is exactly what I’m afraid of. Instead of moving the scope into a position, will I have to extend my neck into a position and hold it still for hours on end? 
Why was the vision blurry?
I normally keep my nose out of practioner discussions but I would like to add something here.
As you can imagine, in my buisness we live under microscopes 
To invest in a serious microscope you will find, like James did, you will send your checkbook for counseling, but done right it is worth it. Just realize if 40x seems unusable to you, don’t write it off…try another brand of scope. You can sit 2 40x scopes next to one another of different brands and they will look completely different to you.
One can do good work with a lot of different machines but I doubt many would argue the statement that Apilus is the best. One cannot make that same blanket statement about microscopes. Just because it is a Bausch or a Nikon dosen’t mean it’s right for you. The more you shop around the better off you will be. I have found that just because I think a microscope is great means absolutely nothing to the person next to me.
I should have prefaced that I don’t write anything off. I’m on the inquiring end of this discussion, as I don’t have experience with microscopes. I am looking into more convenient options than the standard 3x lamp, without, as you put it, “sending my checkbook for counseling”. Head loupes sound interesting, as they can provide higher magnification with sufficient field of view and working distance, but the question is about how practical they are for electrology…
What I’m saying is keep an open mind. One quarter of a degree in mounting angle in an eyepiece can mean heaven or hell after an 8 hour session. Find the magnification level that works for you then look at various brands and designs for comfort. It will be a “wow” moment when you discover the right combination.
I always keep an open mind, but my checkbook, at the moment, doesn’t let me experiment with really expensive scopes, especially, when what I already have does a good job.
What do you mean by “One quarter of a degree in mounting angle in an eyepiece”? What should I be looking for?
Simple…comfort. One little angle difference from one brand to another is neither bad nor good. Everybody can “see” through almost all equipment, spending 8 hours with it is another thing.
I wish, I could compare them side-by-side for multi-hour sessions, before I take the plunge…
Before taking your pocket book for counseling, look at some of the binocular-type glasses that are available through our suppliers.
These would be a great step-up from your current magnification. http://www.prestigeelec.com/cgi-bin/local-net/shopzone30.cgi/st_prod.html?p_prodid=777&p_catid=42&sid=7glBmg2jd9@P1on-49111600064.36 Yes - you will have to move around, but you will not have to touch the magnification to move with you, as they are glasses. I’ve used these for nearly 20 years, however, I’m ready to step-up myself.
You would need to add a light. I wouldn’t go with a free-standing light, but most carts have a place in which to add a light.
Sorry I have been too busy to get back and answer your question, but, “Yes, loupes and other head mounted solutions require you to position your head at the focal distance, and hold that position in place. When your body moves back or forth, the vision in the specs goes blurry.”
While I talk about the 40x’s magnification of the set I am using, that is only stating the max setting. It can be dialed back to lower settings.
I will also join Laurier in saying that it is nice if one can test drive these items, but one of the reasons we talk so much about equipment on here is because hands on presale handling of merchandise is one of the things we don’t get in this industry.
These list 2.3x magnification, which is less than my 3x lamp. Why do you find these better than the lamp? How big is the field of view? Have you been using this exact model for 20 years, or a similar one? Thanks
Thanks, James. I’m not up to a microscope like yours yet, but I would like to try some loupes. Is there a brand/kind that you found most helpful? I understand that TTL’s are custom-made, but I imagine that with adjustable loupes there is some kind of return policy, if I’m not happy.
yb, in my opinion Barbara’s suggestion of a set of microscopic head loupes is really a gret compromise between cheap loupes an microscopes. I for example did invest in a pair of loupes providing 6 fold magnification. Most important is that these are fully adapted to my eyes – and this is what makes 9 hours through the glasses possible at all.
Many of these loupes are available for different working distances. So You can chose the one that suits You better.
This investment was even more important than the investment in the platinum - it was a hard time learnig to work with it, but as soon as i did my results improved singificantly - less energy and the desire to work with the strongest needle sizes.
I am using it with external lamps and found that i needed two medical lamps which i luckily got very cheap.
Yes. I absolutely find them better than a large lens magnifying lamp. I started out with that, but was able to get some glasses in the early 80s. I used the black binoculars for about 5 years and for the last 15 years have used the Zeiss brand - they look exactly like the Obrira. I have a halogen light attached to my epilator cart. With the latter, I am able to work further away from the client.
The field of view is at least 2 square inches…maybe a little more. When the hairs become further apart, then I can look around the edge of the glasses for the next place to move to. No need to move the magnification, since they go with my face!!
To my colleagues: These are the magnifying visor I use to work in large areas. I’ve seen it now has a big discount, the price is much lower than what I paid last year (142 €). If anyone is interested, this is the time!
They do look like the price has dropped significantly (52 € last time I checked). I tried ordering them but they only ship throughout Spain 
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I bought the same pair as Josepha’s from this site last September.
http://www.theloupestore.co.uk/Surgical-Loupes/Dental-Loupes-3-0x-350mm---Clip-Ons.html
They don’t have them at the moment, but maybe check again in the future. I got them for 25 british pounds. And they ship internationally.
I still find I need to get very close to focus well, but that may be due to my prescription glasses which I wear underneath.
I had a few attempts at inserting using Josefa’s magnifying visor. I also wear prescription glasses and I was having a hard time focussing.
I’m not sure what to purchase as a beginner.
Hi
Anyone out there use Vision by Design glasses? Any feedback?