Thread: Loupe's and microscopes

Hello,

I bought a 10x triplet jewellers loupe which has come in handy. I am thinking though that I would like to get something a little bit more powerful. I bought, a while ago, loupe's that claimed to be 30x but comparing them to my 10x I think they have about the same magnification.

I would like to know if its worth getting more powerful magnification. I would also like to know what others have, how much it cost and where you got it from.

Because I'm a professional tattooer and needed loupes and microscopes for checking tattooing needle points I already had a Bausch & Lomb 45x stereo microscope. Bought it used years ago. I've got various B&L loupes in 7, 14 and 20 power. These are top of the line 'Hastings Triplets'.

After I started honing I bought this 30x eye loupe from Widget Supply here. Good loupe for the $ AFAIC. Some guys like those Radio Shack variable power hand held illuminated (LED) microscopes that go up to 100x or so. I didn't like the one I got at all with the inverted image and difficulty focusing. One thing I know for sure, the lower the power I use the better my honing looks.

I started honing using a radioshack microscope that I bought for 10.00$ on amazon.com. It helped me a lot because it taught me how an edge looks compared to how it feels when things are set "right".

Since then my batteries died about a year ago and I haven't used it since...

to some they are like training wheels?


Others can't live without them.

May want to wait till I order this one in the next couple weeks. Veho - Shop Items

Saw one demonstrated at a sharpening gathering that was very very similar (the ProScope, I believe)


Just don't buy this one: https://www.schooloutfitters.com/cat...ts_id/PRO26392

I did, at less than half that price, and after much modification and frustration it simply isn't worth it. When the blade is between the lens and light source it is a loosing battle.

I've tried, and have, the Radio Shack microscope. For $13 it's good. But leave a lot to be desired. May be all you want though, and is worth a try.

Originally Posted by Soilarch

May want to wait till I order this one in the next couple weeks. Veho - Shop Items

Saw one demonstrated at a sharpening gathering that was very very similar (the ProScope, I believe)

Friend of mine sent a ProScope to me to try. If I had a microsoft system it might have worked out but I run Linux and the only program that would run with it was Skype. The images weren't good at all. Sent it back to my friend. I haven't tried any of the other similar systems. Good concept though if you can get the quality images.

I picked up one of these

for 2.99, you can't really go wrong it works quite well. You do have to wait 2-3 weeks for shipping! as with all chinese gadget sites..

I hate teeny, tiny objectives. My loupes have to have at least 30ml diam. lenses.
8-10 x is plenty for me.

Originally Posted by Undream

I picked up one of these

for 2.99, you can't really go wrong it works quite well. You do have to wait 2-3 weeks for shipping! as with all chinese gadget sites..

That looks like the one I bought. There was no way that it was 30X it magnifed about the same as my 10X. Have you compared this to others?

I have the Veho and love it.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Because I'm a professional tattooer and needed loupes and microscopes for checking tattooing needle points I already had a Bausch & Lomb 45x stereo microscope. Bought it used years ago. I've got various B&L loupes in 7, 14 and 20 power. These are top of the line 'Hastings Triplets'.

After I started honing I bought this 30x eye loupe from Widget Supply here. Good loupe for the $ AFAIC. Some guys like those Radio Shack variable power hand held illuminated (LED) microscopes that go up to 100x or so. I didn't like the one I got at all with the inverted image and difficulty focusing. One thing I know for sure, the lower the power I use the better my honing looks.

A question then. Can you see the scratches on the bevel with the microscope like you can with a loupe? I was also reading a review on amazon about someone who had bought a 30x triplet and they were saying that because you had to get so lose to an object with it that there was no light left to illuminate the surface. Do you find that at all?