Which Magnifing Visor to buy

FWIW I have the high dollar Optivisor at work and at home. Then I bought a 5 dollar set at Harbor Freight. Thats the one I use all the time at home. The optics are fine and for that price you get three levels of magnification. A second lens for the Optivisor will set you back another 25 bucks. The lights are useless and heavy with the batteries so I removed them.

Pete

You're not alone Brandy,

Looking for a set myself, so I'm very interested in what is recommended. 

Alan

Brandy,

I've been using this one for the last two years. Terrific, indispensable and .....cheap. Check out the features......

http://www.ehobbytools.com/contents/en-us/p3956.html

Roger

Roger thanks for answering my post. I read and understand what you said. Some of the ones that I looked at on the net, that looked similar to the one you purchased, reviews said, that the head strap adjuster, as well as where the lenses mount is extremely fragile, and several broke. You/I wonder sometimes at the reviews on different products, both good and bad, if you know what I mean! I know for sure that what reviews I get from subjects or products on this forum, as well as anything that's sold you can, "Take it to the Bank", as it's all good info.

I'll see how many more guys post on here, then go with one, and thank you again Roger1..........................................Brandy!

Norton, Hate to hear that about the lights, as when working under a layout, you/I definitely need some lights. That way I'm not having the "Blind leading the miss informed", just the miss informed! ...............................Brandy!

Brandy,

I'm sure you'll have lots of other folks chiming in. You have to weigh features and expense vs your needs (exactly what you will be using it for). I've had zero problems with the size adjuster and although it has the convenience of coming with a bunch of alternate lenses, I find I pretty much keep one lens in there all the time. The LEDs aren't bad when the batteries are fresh (it's very easy to leave it on and be unaware of it....wearing down the batteries). So, I also got a VERY bright fluorescent desk lamp for my work areas. But once you get a magnifier, it's hard to work without it.

Roger

 I have an old optivisor that I use for very close work. The only problem I find with it is it's a bit too small for my glasses to fit inside comfortably in all positions. Generally I try to avoid using it and just keep the detailing to a size I can see without it.....DaveB

Another option for working under the layout is dedicated reading glasses set for the distance you need for that work and one of those miner type headlamps. That light will be considerably brighter than any light produced by a visor.

Pete

I have an Optivisor and something else that I either bought online or at Sears. I agree about the lighting on the Optivisor - it's awkward, inadequate and makes you feel like you are mining scale coal. I gave up on that feature and went over to a high power lamp on an extending arm. The lenses of the Optivisor can't be beat for clarity under intense light but you cannot move much if you want to keep it in focus. It's worth it for very detailed work or hunting for small screws that have got lost in the inner recesses of a chassis.