Any recommendations for a great lighted loupe?

[pen tom]

I have been using a very nice lighted loupe for years. It is a Acculux brand. I bought it at a pen show from the Pentooling people. I'm not sure of the magnification. Maybe 20X, maybe more.

It is rechargeable and I love it. But it does not seem to get as bright as it used to get and I'm looking for a new one. I can't find this model anywhere, including the pentooling web site.

I see many on Amazon and some look very nice.

I was wondering if anyone can recommend any. 

[Penguincollector]

 I use a 10 and 30x one from Amazon that has a few different light settings and an integrated stand. It’s become very popular at pen club meetings.

Kibtoy magniying glass

[Paul-in-SF]

My main one is a small 10x made by Carton with one LED, which I got from Goulet, here: https://www.gouletpens.com/collections/everything-else/products/carton-10x-loupe. I think other folks may sell it too.

 

My other one is a 30X-60X, each with its own led, that doesn't display a maker name, and which I can't remember where I got it.  It's quite small, it swivels out from a metal casing, and the whole thing fits in a molded plastic case. It might have been from Pentooling a long time ago because it's similar in format to a 10x that I bought from him at a show because I forgot to bring mine. This 30x-60x loupe is rarely needed, 10x is almost always enough to see what I need to see. 

 

@Penguincollector I do like that one, but these days space is at a premium for me, so I guess I'll be sticking with my small ones. 

[BigJess]

17 hours ago, Penguincollector said:

 I use a 10 and 30x one from Amazon that has a few different light settings and an integrated stand. It’s become very popular at pen club meetings.

Kibtoy magniying glass

I like the hands-free nature of this for nib work. Thanks for sharing. 

[Penguincollector]

2 hours ago, BigJess said:

I like the hands-free nature of this for nib work. Thanks for sharing. 

  Anytime! For really close up work, I like the monocle on the headband type as well. I don’t have a particular recommendation, as mine are super cheap and I plan to upgrade, but the higher powered lens is easier to use than the one on the handheld loupe. 

[Penguincollector]

20 hours ago, Paul-in-SF said:

 

 

@Penguincollector I do like that one, but these days space is at a premium for me, so I guess I'll be sticking with my small ones. 

  I get the space issue, my house is rather small and my hobbies are numerous. 

[MHBru]

I use an iphone app called Magnifying Glass.  1,2,5,10x options and uses the phones flashlight. It also snaps a pic if needed.    I use it all the time for all kinds of stuff.  Best option in my book.

[Paul-in-SF]

42 minutes ago, MHBru said:

I use an iphone app called Magnifying Glass.

What a good idea. I checked and there are a bunch of these for Android as well, so I downloaded one and it seems to work pretty well. It gives a good view even without the camera's light. Although I'm not sure where it's putting the photos, they don't seem to be in the gallery. 

[PithyProlix]

On 2/22/2024 at 2:40 AM, Penguincollector said:

For really close up work, I like the monocle on the headband type as well. I don’t have a particular recommendation, as mine are super cheap and I plan to upgrade, but the higher powered lens is easier to use than the one on the handheld loupe. 

 

I got one - I think from AliExpress - with two monocles. Not on a headband but on an eyeglasses-type frame. One of the lights quickly broke and the plastic lenses are awful. Avoid, I think. But I do eventually want to get a 'hands-free' type one, though not necessarily lighted.

 

Another thing - I just got two cheap "triplet" type, unlighted loupes, with glass lenses. one 10x - 17mm, the other 20x - 21mm. I paid less than $2 USD equivalent for each. They actually work pretty good, most especially given the price. BUT, they are actually the same magnification. I Googled around and this is a common thing: loupes that are labelled 20x are not actually 20x. Pen repairfolk and jewelers commonly recommend 10x anyway, so it is probably OK to stick with that level of magnification. 

[PithyProlix]

On 2/21/2024 at 5:56 AM, Penguincollector said:

 I use a 10 and 30x one from Amazon that has a few different light settings and an integrated stand. It’s become very popular at pen club meetings.

Kibtoy magniying glass

 

How does the lens quality compare to the common glass-lens triplet-type loupes, please? I can get the same one here (different branding) for about $6.50 USD equivalent and I'm thinking serious about getting it.

[Penguincollector]

4 hours ago, PithyProlix said:

 

How does the lens quality compare to the common glass-lens triplet-type loupes, please? I can get the same one here (different branding) for about $6.50 USD equivalent and I'm thinking serious about getting it.

  I don’t really know. Before this, I used a magnifying glass my dad gave me, which is older than I am and is now too scratched up to use, then the magnifier on my phone. @fireant might know, as she bought the same one. 
 

  My headband one also has an eyeglass frame, but the lenses don’t feel very secure on my face in them, so I don’t use it. The lights all work and the lenses are glass, but it all seems too heavy for the included frame. I think if I upgrade, I will have to do my research and find a well made set.

[MHBru]

@Paul-in-SF Technically, the button in my app says "freeze" and "unfreeze" and the image isn't saved anywhere unless I hit a second button that says "save". If I use the save button it ends up w my photos.

[Runnin_Ute]

I have two different apps on my phone (Android). The one that gets the most use is just called Magnifier. Mine is version 1.3.6.5 by App2U.

 

The other is from Roca Software -I don't like it as well. "Magnifying Glass" is it's name. 

 

One or both have both Free and "Pro" paid versions. I just use the Free one. It is more than adequate for my needs.

[XYZZY]

On 2/20/2024 at 3:40 PM, Paul-in-SF said:

My main one is a small 10x made by Carton with one LED, which I got from Goulet, here: https://www.gouletpens.com/collections/everything-else/products/carton-10x-loupe. I think other folks may sell it too.

 

My other one is a 30X-60X, each with its own led, that doesn't display a maker name, and which I can't remember where I got it.  It's quite small, it swivels out from a metal casing, and the whole thing fits in a molded plastic case. It might have been from Pentooling a long time ago because it's similar in format to a 10x that I bought from him at a show because I forgot to bring mine. This 30x-60x loupe is rarely needed, 10x is almost always enough to see what I need to see. 

 

@Penguincollector I do like that one, but these days space is at a premium for me, so I guess I'll be sticking with my small ones. 

I have a Carton loupe similar to the one sold by Goulet and I am pleased with it.  But it's 15X and has a nice clear plastic shield to keep the lens separated from the object and at proper focus.  When looking at a nib I can hold the pen against the loupe's shield to help steady and position it--hands down the best feature and I would look for that again if I ever need to replace this one.  It was recommended by Brian Grey of Edison Pens for just that reason.

 

https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/home/office/magnifiers/51092-15-power-lighted-loupe?item=99K1041

 

That's the only place I know of that carries the specific model.  I had never ordered anything from them before, but Brian mentioned the shop as the place to get it.

 

Similar to every handheld lighted loupe that I have seen, the light shines straight down onto what you're viewing.  For examining a nib I almost always prefer the light to come in from the side: if it's daytime and I'm near a window I'll use it with the light off.  Less light and I'll switch the light on.

 

[Paul-in-SF]

I love that feature! Thanks, I have bookmarked that page.