Any old geezers using an Optivisor?

[rp]

I'm nearsighted and wear eyeglass, I'm now old enough that I need reading glasses too so I have now bifocals. They are a bit annoying for super close work, since I'm nearsighted I can still see super close up, so I stick my head in the amp and either look over the top of my glasses or just take them off. And I have to take them off for each connection since I need to carefully check for a nice clean solder joint. It's all a PITA, and in 40 years of wearing glasses I've only damaged them when I wasn't wearing them. Setting them down on the bench with sharp things and a hot iron is just asking for expensive trouble.

Anyone in the same boat using an Optivisor? If so, how do you find it working out? Anything I need to know if I buy one? Which one is best for working on amps? What magnification? Is the LED attachment really useful? Heavier?

Does it work ok with bifocals too?

Thanks

[David Root]

I have had one for several years, every now and then I try to use it but it's clumsy with or without your glasses on too, and I always end up taking my glasses (TRIfocals, one-upped ya in oldfarthood) off so I can really see what's what.

One of these days I'll likely poke myself in the face with a hot iron doing that, but not so far.

[sliberty]

I use it once in a while too, but it is hard to focus my eyes through it. I also end up taking my glasses off (progressives), and just bringing the stuff closer to my face so I can see. It sucks to get old, but the alternative is even worse.

[Structo]

I'm in the same boat rp.

I can read and see fine up close without glasses. Past about ten feet I'm blind as a bat.

I wanted to do the Lasik thing but I would still have to wear readers.

Some day they will probably be able to do some kind of laser surgery at a young age and be able to correct the vision for near and far.

I bought a cheap magnifier visor and it works OK but I think you have to spend some bucks for a good one.

[Gibsonman63]

I bought one of those big ass magnifying glasses with the circular florescent bulbs on the articulating arm things last weekend. I haven't had a chance to use it much yet, but so far so good. Light and magnification is a good thing.

$16 at an estate sale in my neighborhood.

...but I would wear the optivisor, just to see the expression on my wife's face. I have one of those LED lights on a headband and it never fails to get a reaction from her. I don't think many of us here are worried about the latest fashion trends while we are working.

[Bob-I]

Some day they will probably be able to do some kind of laser surgery at a young age and be able to correct the vision for near and far.

Actually they do it now. They adjust one eye for distance and one for closeup. It's called Monovision and I wear contacts to do this because I don't qualify for Lasik.

On the workbench I use a round magnifier with light. It works well but sometimes when you move it it just won't stop shaking and drives me nutz.

[Aurora]

I use the Optivizor on a regular basis, - been using it for close to 10 years, since I started doing SMD circuits. Nowadays it's by far my most important tool. I think mine is marked 2.3 diopters.
Admittedly, it takes a while to get used to, and since I also need reading glasses, it takes some fixing and balancing to use both - balancing the glasses on my nose tip - you can't see through both.....

I just won't be able to do my job without - and I did get used to wearing it.
Except for my younger colleagues making jokes about my funnyhat, I see no problems.... and they've been assured that at least some of them will eventually end up just like me !

[Structo]

Some day they will probably be able to do some kind of laser surgery at a young age and be able to correct the vision for near and far.

Actually they do it now. They adjust one eye for distance and one for closeup. It's called Monovision and I wear contacts to do this because I don't qualify for Lasik.

On the workbench I use a round magnifier with light. It works well but sometimes when you move it it just won't stop shaking and drives me nutz.

Yeah, I tried that with contacts. I couldn't get used to it.

[rp]

I use the Optivizor on a regular basis, - been using it for close to 10 years, since I started doing SMD circuits. Nowadays it's by far my most important tool. I think mine is marked 2.3 diopters.
Admittedly, it takes a while to get used to, and since I also need reading glasses, it takes some fixing and balancing to use both - balancing the glasses on my nose tip - you can't see through both.....

I just won't be able to do my job without - and I did get used to wearing it.
Except for my younger colleagues making jokes about my funnyhat, I see no problems.... and they've been assured that at least some of them will eventually end up just like me !

That's I wanted to hear. There is hope yet. I worked for a few days in a architectural model shop wiring up some lights and controls and most people there, and everyone my age, wore these all day, especially painting the little figures. Didn't occur to me at the time to borrow one and try it out. About $40 + ship for the one with the glass lenses so I might finally do it. Now do I buy the OT for my Harvard or this first?

I've debating the Lazik for 10 years. Kinda scary to me, and I really don't want to loose the super close up vision I still have. As for bifocal contact - not too good for me. I'm not sure there will ever be laser solution, as it's the focusing muscles in old eyes that give out, not a lens issue. Maybe some proathlete steroids to pump up the old eye muscles!

Thanks all

[JamesHealey]

Ah being 26 with 20/20 vision. Take it for granted.

[rp]

I'm bumping this back up as I'm going to buy one before I move to Italy, everything is much cheaper here. Anyone know that the best diopter is for amp work? I'm not really sure what distance I work at but I guess 8-10" away? Aurora uses 2.3 diopters. Anyone else?

[husky]

I'm bumping this back up as I'm going to buy one before I move to Italy, everything is much cheaper here. Anyone know that the best diopter is for amp work? I'm not really sure what distance I work at but I guess 8-10" away? Aurora uses 2.3 diopters. Anyone else?

The best ones are dentist glass but cost $200 or so.
For the optivison I have 4x 7x and 10x
4x or 7x is good for most work but the dentist glasses are next on my list. 10x is good for inspecting solder. My vision is great except for reading.
I'm thinking these would be real nice, you choose your working depth and I think they have a better depth of field.
http://www.care-optics.com/products.asp ... pid=&id=41

[Structo]

Funny!
I had a dentist that wore something similar.

Man it was weird looking!

I had bought a cheap visor with plastic lenses and ended up breaking the flip up lenses after a short while so buying one of high quality is the smart thing to do.

I can still see up close good with no glasses on.

[Teleguy61]

I use a 7X with glass lens that I got at the electronics supply house
near me.
Takes some getting used to but definitely a plus.
It was around $20 or so.

[Reeltarded]

I use one for cutting pearl, but that requires focus on a single point for minutes at a time. I find when I have to move too much it's more annoying than blindness.