"visor-magnifying glasses" Topic

I've been thinking of getting one of those visor type magnifying glasses for painting. What should I be watching out for when shopping for them? Any recommended brand?

I went for the Optivisor with the DA3 and DA5 lenses – for 1.75 and 2.5 magnification respectively – on the advice of the kindly souls over on Frothers myself. I'm pretty happy with it, but it's certainly not the cheapest option.

Try getting a cheap pair of reading glasses. I find it works for me.

I got the cheapo visor from Maplins, and would heartily recommend it.

Not sure of brand but I went with the only one hobby lobby carried.

I also use 3x reading glasses, they work great. As long as you have a well lighted work area. Best part is they are cheap enough to try out – many dollar stores carry them.

3x Dollar Store reading glasses for painting here as well. I got the half lenses which make it easy to look over the top, something that is hard with a visor. Just remember the lenses are plastic and scratch pretty easily.

I've been thinking of these myself. Just started painting the very detailed Mexican troops from Blue Moon. Shako plates, pompons, piping…my eyes are not what they were years ago

Reading glasses from your local pharmacy are much cheaper and more comfortable than this visors.

I got the reading glasses also after using a visor for a couple years – just lighter and more comfortable on the head, cheaper, the only thing better with the visor was the light you could attach to the side, but if you have good lighting you can compensate for that.
My problem lately has been getting a stiff neck after a couple hours of painting – I try working on my posture but still no luck, I try holding the figure at eye level (elbows on the table) and still end up with headaches and a stiff neck. Any suggestions?

I use Walmart $2 USD reading glasses at about 2.75 strength. I always have enough light at my desk.

Clip-on x3 magnifiers to go over my own varifocals. Works fine for me and makes painting a lot easier. Get the flip up variety for a few quid extra.

I use an opti visor with reading glasses and plenty of lighting, marvellous my painting is the best it's ever been. Problem now is I cannot paint without the visor to any acceptable standard, its a bit like my eyes have got lazy because of the visor use. Age arghhhh !!

HJust bought optivisor , thought I would have a tough time but NO . Helps ALOT and I noticed an instant change in my painting . If you are serious get a good one

Since I am far sighted in one eye (with astigmatism) and near sited in the other, the reading glass method didn't work well for me. I bought an Optivisor which I can use with my prescription glasses and have had no regrets (except the tendency to paint detail you can't see without the Optivisor).

I'm with gamertom, almost identical situation. The Optivisor has improved painting (and sculpting) for me. I've yet to use the lights on it though, as I prefer halogen lamplight, which is always close by anyway.

Cheers, TC.

Found this on eBay:

auction

That seems to be the right one?

Yes, it is. Note that the LX-3 lens, despite the sellers description on Ebay, is 1.75 times magnification and is one of the lenses I use.