| Fonzie | 21 Aug 2015 5:51 p.m. PST |
I'm considering getting one of those but at almost 100 euro, shipping to Belgium and VAT included, I would like to know if it is any good before I spend that much on it. How comfortable is it to use (I'm wearing glasses), how good is the magnification etc… Anything that you can tell me will be very appreciated. Cheers
Fons |
| rct75001 | 21 Aug 2015 7:17 p.m. PST |
I've had one for 5+ years. Love it – but it took a little while to get used to. You can buy different magnification glass elements from ebay if you need to. I have not tried it with glasses on though/ |
| Bill McHarg | 21 Aug 2015 8:43 p.m. PST |
It let me get back to painting. I highly recommend it. I also recommend you look around for other sources. They run about $30 USD here in the US. That is 26.34 Euros. I can't believe that the postage from the US would be 70 Euros. |
| R Brown | 21 Aug 2015 11:59 p.m. PST |
You can see the Philippines from Belgium? |
| Fonzie | 22 Aug 2015 2:00 a.m. PST |
Lol.I'll be in Belgium for a visit in october so I'm having stuff sent there to save on postage. Plus it takes PhilPost months to get anything to me, if it doesn't go missing instead. So the consensus seems to be that an Optivisor is a worthwhile investment. I'll look around a bit but unfortunately ordering from the US is not a good idea due to the huge import taxes and VAT that are placed on it. Gotta love the European Union… Cheers, Fons |
| steamingdave47 | 22 Aug 2015 2:13 a.m. PST |
@Fonzie. I have one ( a genuine " made in the USA "one- lots of cheap imitations out there, so beware), but cannot get on with it. The focal depth is very short (it's the 2.5x model) so you have to hold models very close and I find it difficult to actually paint them so close to my face. It's going on EBay when I can be bothered. I asked my optician to make me a pair of prescription reading glasses (I normally wear varifocals, which are OK for routine painting) and I use these if I have some really fiddly bits to do. I paint mainly in smaller scales (15mm down to 6mm). I have thought about getting watchmaker's loupe for when I do need to paint really tiny detail. |
 x42brown  | 22 Aug 2015 4:38 a.m. PST |
I use link (a cheaper imitation). I find it works well. Having a number of lenses you can find the magnification to suit. It is also lighter which some find an advantage but the construction is not up to the standard of Optiviser (the lenses are plastic). I recommend getting one or the other. If I ever need to replace mine I think I would go for the Optimiser but I'm happy with the Rolsen. x42 |
| legatushedlius | 22 Aug 2015 5:09 a.m. PST |
I just use a pair of 3.5 magnification reading glasses. A fraction of the price and not so cumbersome. |
| Fonzie | 22 Aug 2015 5:10 a.m. PST |
@steamingdave47: I had painting glasses made too, can't paint without them anymore but they give me a headache after several hours of painting. I also have a very cheap knock-off of the Optivisor that I have been using for years to do detail work. I recently discovered that using my glasses combined with this magnifier works best and does not strain my eyes to the point that I get a headache. But the magnifier is very old and worn and needs to be replaced. I'm ok with a short focal depth, I am used to it. @x42brown: the Rolsen is very well priced but if I look at its reviews it's not very well made as you also suggested so I think I will go with the Optivisor. Growing older and having deteriorating eyesight due to diabetes has made painting figures a lot harder and I need all the help I can get to keep me painting. :-) I will probably order the 2.5x model of the Optivisor. Thanks very much for your help gentlemen! Fons |
| Jeff965 | 22 Aug 2015 6:23 a.m. PST |
I love mine, I've had it years now and never paint without it. In fact I have tried to paint without it but I find it impossible now so be warned, once you start using one it is difficult to go back lol. |
| jeffreyw3 | 22 Aug 2015 8:45 a.m. PST |
I have an Optivisor I picked up from Amazon for less than $30. USD Additional lenses weren't expensive either. I would have stopped painting without them, so good value for money. :) I find it much more convenient than the swing-arm magnifiers, although it does muss one's hair and provide unlimited mad scientist jokes for the wife and daughter. |
| wrgmr1 | 22 Aug 2015 9:00 a.m. PST |
I use cheap 3.0 reading glasses. |
| Fonzie | 22 Aug 2015 4:47 p.m. PST |
Thanks again. I have ordered the 2.5x Optivisor from Front Rank. Ones eyesight is too precious to risk so it's definitely worth the investment. Cheers
Fons |
| tomrommel1 | 24 Aug 2015 7:47 a.m. PST |
I have mine for about 6 years now and wear glasses under the visor works a treat |
's brother-in-law has been able to leave the hospital after his cancer operation.