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. 

[inkstainedruth]

Resurrecting this thread....

Recently I got the battery on my loupe replaced at the local Batteries Plus, but now the thing isn't working (it's the style with the foldout holder but I have no idea what the brand is).  Wondering if the light fixture part has died (I've probably had it for a decade or more at this point -- ran across it in the bookstore at the University of Pittsburgh, when the main floor was under renovations and they mostly were running things in the lower level on the back side of the building.  When not in use, I've been keeping it and the little gadget to pull the batteries in the original case.  The only markings are on the holder part:

 

ILLUMINATED LOUPE

(LED LIGHT)

12X 18MM

 

with nothing on or in the box itself (I've checked).

I spent way more time than I should have earlier today with some derp on Target's website in their chat window, because when I tried to find a replacement locally, that store came up on the results on Google -- only they don't actually have them *in store* -- they're online only.  Ditto for Walmart.  Harbor Freight only has the style that clip onto your glasses (which sounds like a bad plan).  Places like Home Depot and Lowes have the headband style ones which won't do me any good.  Rockler's?  Their website was COMPLETELY useless -- wooden dowels, glue, brass hinges (no -- I'm not kidding -- THAT's the stuff they showed me in the search "results"... ).  Tried a couple of local photography stores' websites and they only seem to have the ones that you think of in movies where someone is appraising gemstones and such (the kind you sort of hold up to your eye) -- if at ALL....

Any suggestions for either a good place to buy one in person (particularly in the greater Pittsburgh area) or at least get a replacement for the (tiny) LED light?  I meant to run up to Batteries Plus earlier today, but between the useless derp on Target's chat window and just the way this week has been going in general, I just got too depressed and overwhelmed to even leave the house....   And of course I'm now thinking back to something I read a few years ago where someone quoted Nathan Tardiff having said something like "Why don't you just use a magnifying glass?" (which would be FINE if I was just looking at stuff at HOME -- but if I'm at an estate sale or antiques shop, I want to have something that's more ergonomic and easier to carry around...).

Now of course wondering if I should be going to someplace like a coin or stamp collector's shop, which I hadn't thought of till just now....  Assuming there are places like that around here.  Or a place that sells beads and beading supplies (I've just sent off email to one local bead store I've shopped at in the past, but of course it's now midnight around here...).  

But any and all suggestions would be welcome.  I'd MUCH rather be able to buy on in person so I can see what I'm looking at and not have to deal with shipping and such.  

Thanks in advance....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

[MHBru]

@inkstainedruth  I use an iPhone app called Magnify (but there are several other similar apps). It uses the light, has various magnification levels, and most usefully takes a pic of the magnified image.  I confident that there are similar items for Android, too.  I use that app all the time and it was free.

[inkstainedruth]

Well the advantage to the loupe I currently have (at least before it stopped working) is that it's more compact and easier to hold when I'm doing something like looking at a nib than my phone is.

I had really planned to go back to the place I've gotten batteries for it in the past, but Friday the 13th decided to come early (its excuse being "Well, it's Friday SOMEWHERE...." and I ended up spending nearly 5 hours in an ER in the next county and then having to drive my husband (while it was snowing) to a DIFFERENT hospital.  And of course by the time I dropped him off at the second hospital it was too late to go to the local Batteries Plus and I JUST squeaked in under the wire to get to the pharmacy counter a few blocks away from me to pick up a prescription refill for one of the medications my allergist put me on before the pharmacy section shut down for the night.  

As it turns out that the issues he was having Thursday morning were NOT as bad as originally feared and so I get to drive back to the second hospital (which is actually a bit closer time wise but not as conveniently located to collect him) in the morning.  Which will be in a few hours at this point.... 

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[OCArt]

@inkstainedruthI've been using this $20 lighted loupe from Amazon for a couple of years and really like it.

 

[inkstainedruth]

Well the style of it is very similar to mine (I meant to go to the Batteries Plus store near me to see if the issue with mine is just I've somehow screwed up the battery, after discovering it on my chair  -- that explains why I was having trouble with the cover for where the battery goes in, and am SERIOUSLY hoping that I haven't stripped the threading inside the battery chamber in the process.... )  But I hadn't seen one with that UV ring light before.  Does the UV light bother you at all?   And does it actually help?  Or is it more of a "dog-and-pony-show" dazzle-dazzle?

I'm also a bit concerned by the fact that it's a 3rd party vendor and not DIRECTLY from Amazon (and even then, one time a few years ago I spent several HOURS on the phone with someone from their Customer Support center, going "WHERE ARE MY CDS?  I live DIAGONALLY ACROSS THE RIVER from where their Pgh distribution center is!" because that time they just sent out some guy in his own vehicle -- NOT in an Amazon truck or van and he apparently ALSO didn't have any sort of GPS system in his car EITHER....  Supposedly the guy couldn't find our street (let alone our house) because he was either at the FAR end of where the street I live on is, or was on a different street (but with the same name) the next town over the opposite direction....  And that was just a couple of music CDs -- not some moderately-priced to super-expensive LE pen with an exotic nib....

And of course, as if I didn't have enough on my plate already (my husband spent last night in the hospital, after the place he originally went to didn't have the "specialist" on staff and he spent most of yesterday in the first place's ER, only for me to get called back to the ER section when a bed in their sister facility DID open up.  But I then had to drive home in a snow squall, and was in such bad shape I ended up being on the Book of Faces for too much of last night, arguing with stupee people over politics).

THEN I spent something like an HOUR on the phone with some guy with a heavy accent who also talked too fast, when I was trying to make hotel reservations for the B/W show next month.  The chain's website was NOT sending me the "is this really you?" secret code stuff when I found out that I DID in fact was a "rewards program" member but was trying to reset the password (neither of which worked even though I was pretty convinced that ONE of them should have....)  And then had to bring stuff up to my husband's hospital room for him to decipher his illegible handwriting so some checks could get sent out to the correct addresses for a couple of businesses that he will be buying supplies/renting equipment from -- including a trailer that is a refrigerated unit -- for his sideline business next month....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth