Best optivisor?

[Bill Cross]

My optivisor broke and I would like to know what recommendations you jokers have for the better/best ones out there.

[thierry laurent]

I had a similar issue last year. There are many options (typically made in China) with various qualities but here's what I observed after having tested the ones of friends: what is good for your neighbor is possibly not good for you! So nothing may replace a physical test. I waited for a modelling exhibition and tested at least five different ones. The cheapest ones were not surprisingly 'not ok' for me but I finally got a mid-range price one that was -at least to my eyes- as good as the most expensive ones. If you have any opportunity to test some, take it! The choice also depends on the eyesight issue. Personally, I feel confortable working with basic magnifying/reading glasses for most modelling tasks. They are less cumbersome than the optivisor that I do not really need for most mundane tasks. Last, some include LED lights. Personally, to me, this is a gizmo. Indeed, you need to wear the additional weight of the battery whereas such lighting is not equivalent to what a good fixed LED lamp can offer.

[Bill Cross]

Thanks, Armorcon in CT is coming in two weeks, so I can see what's being sold by vendors there.

[Thunnus]

I use a Carson Magnivisor (CP-60).  Available at Amazon for $37.99.  It's comfortable, easy to adjust and I can wear it over my reading glasses.  Like Thierry, I consider the light a gimmick and took it off.  When I'm in the model room, it's pretty much on my head constantly as I find working under magnification a must.

 

 

 

 

 

[Bill Cross]

Thanks, I'll look into that one.