I have used their optics for about 20 years.
They send a rep. to your office where they
take a series of measurements and manufacture
optics that are designed exclusively for you.
If you wear contacts or glasses, they build your
Rx into your lenses. Expect to pay about $1, 500.
Since they are built for you, if someone else wears
them, they might not get into focus. So keep in
mind that if you work with other electrologists,
you can’t share them.
Happy Purim!
Rochelle,
Mine are on their way! I went with Designs for Vision because of the recommendation of several colleagues. I will come back to give a full report.
I started out with the big circle/diopter lamp. Moved to prescription glasses with an interesting attachment. (Will have to photograph those to show here.) Went to little black binoculars, then to Zeiss binoculars. The new glasses will have the light attached with a battery pack in my pocket! I can’t wait!!!
I would have loved a pair of loupes like the ones Beate has, but due to budget constrictions I settled for those. The MedLite Prisma Loupes but with a 4.5 magnification and a preset 17" working distance.
They are not perfect and if you require prescription glasses you’ll have go to the local optician for adjustments. They also get fairly heavy after a while (though I suspect this is the curse of loupes in general), but they do allow me to use a size 4 or 5 needle.
Those look very good! That is a good price for those, too!
I would think that using a smaller size would be easier with better magnification.
I’m only an amateur, so a size 5 needle for me is “huge.” 
Orascoptic loops are SO expensive, and I am really wonder are they so good? For example, Orascoptic HiRes Plus 4.3X loupes on a sport frame are $1970
But loupedirect sell Feather Sporty Through The Lense
4.0x for $799. And one can choose Working Distance and PD (distance between pupils) as well. (http://www.loupedirect.com/fttl40.html)
I really wonder whether Orascoptic is so good to pay $ 1170 MORE for them?!
I received mine a few weeks ago, but the binoculars were enough off that they are making me a new pair. They seem to have great customer service. I ordered the light as well.
I have several colleagues who have them and love them.
Will let you know how it’s going when I get them back!
Sorry to resurrect this old thread but I had a question for James.
I am a beginning electrologist and I’m going to invest in a microscope from the outset. I am hoping you can clarify your comment about wanting the magnification of a opmi 1 in the framework of an opmi 99.
What does this mean in novice terms?
I am looking to buy a used microscope and I see several opmi 1, but i’ve heard elecrologists talk about the opmi 99 mostly.
We would rather one resurrect an old thread, than start a new one on the same topic.
What I mean is this:
Here is one of the standard opmi-99 set ups
Meanwhile, this is the opmi-1 set up:
the opmi-99 has the easier to move set up, but the opmi-1 has the higher magnification. You can’t take the opmi-1 head off and mount it on an opmi-99 arm, though, so you have to take choose between agility of motion and highest magnification.
The closest I have found is some new Opmi-Pico sets have the higher magnification in them, as if they were opmi-1 models.
Ok, that makes sense. Thanks so much! I found a listing for an opmi 99 (it had sold already, darn!), but the list of specs was daunting.
Which are the most important to me or are all opmi 99 made equal?
•Sharp Optical View
•Terrific Depth of Focus
•Compact Microscope Body
•Step Magnification
•Fine Focus Adjustment
•Inclined Coupling for Easy Maneuvering
•Straight Binocular
•Widefield Eyepieces
•Fine Adjustment for Head Rotation
•Interchangeable Objective Lens
•Smooth Mechanics
•Stable, Movable Base
•Long, Articulating Arm
•Adjustable Spring Tension Control
•Durable Friction & Locking Knobs
•Locking Spindles
•Internal Fiberoptic Cable
•Smooth, Precise Arm Movement
*Fiberoptic Illuminator
•Bright, White Illumination
•Durable Lightsource
•Strong, Coated Fiberoptic Cable
•Varying Shutter for Illumination Levels
•External Mount Provides Ease with Maintenance
•110V - 240V Electrical Input
I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT THE SEASONED PROS ARE HERE TO ANSWER US GREEN ONE!!! 
What would we do without you???
