Thread: I need an eye loupe, what power??

Am looking to get rid of my radio shack scope and get an eye loupe. What power should I get to see the bevel of the razor? Thanks

I use this... and I think several others use it as well

Lighted 30x

Widget Supply 25mm 30x Chrome Teardrop Jewelers Loupe, Illuminated

Depends on the quality of the loupe. 10x should be enough is it's a quality piece.

I have the same loupe. It's labeled 30X like above, but I suspect that the real power is about 10X. I also have an 80X stereomicroscope. I use the 10X loupe most often though.

I found a nice 30x \ 60X loupe with led illumination on ebay for $4

This is the loupe I use, good quality and works great.

BelOMO 10x Triplet Loupe Magnifier. 21mm (.85") NEW. BRAND. Jewelry Instrument | eBay

I bought a couple in decent quality, one 7X and the other 10X.
That is really all I need.
I have the 60X and 100X small microscopes found on ebay as well, but the quality on those are not quite up to snuff IMHO.

I use a 60x from widgetsupply.com
Whatever loupe you end up with, make sure it is "illuminated".
Lighting is very important.

Jerry

Nessmuck,

For eye loupes I have found the Belomo 10x & 15x to be excellent

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Most cheap loupes marked 30x are more like 4x. Magnification, in the world of loupes, is not constant amongst the lower-tier manufacturers.
B&L 10x gives a good working distance, with a decent aperture. I forget the actual numbers but I think the working distance is about an inch where the 15x is less than half of that. The aperture is comfortable to use also.
The Belamo loupes are also good, and have simiar specs if you're comparting triplet to triplet.
IMO _ illumintation on a loupe is a ridiculous consideration for this application. The lightsouce is too close to the working surface and it cannot splay the light evenly enough. LED is not a telling lightsource - natural or incandescent are best in most cases.
I have never had an issue catching light on the bevel using a 10x or 15x loupe.
But - some like bells and whistles, to each their own I suppose..
I have a 30x triplet that cost 5.00 (ebay) and it was made in China. It's useless to me. If I had no other loupe I would use it and I'd probably think it was 'good enough'. I've worked with loupes my entire life though - so my opinons are going to be, naturally, somewhat critical.