Gabbi Posted August 25, 2015 Author Share Posted August 25, 2015 Wow, thanks EVERYONE for further suggestions and insight. I'll definitely get one. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorpio616 Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 (edited) Yeah, they really help. And one thing that makes them much mmore wearable is to take some paper towel and wrap the contact area for the forehead. Edited August 25, 2015 by scorpio616 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arc 724 Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 I actually don't use mine that much anymore. I paint with out it and only use it for eyes, but I'm getting to the point I don't use it for that either. Mostly just for spot checking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suden Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Qwyksilver's suggestion might still be an option. I wear glasses and I also use a pair of cheap drugstore reading glasses. I actually wear the reading glasses over my prescription ones when I paint. It only has an effective visual range of about 8"-12" (20-30 cm), but within that range it works quite well. I bought a cheap visor and didn't like it, so rather than spend more to try a more expensive visor I took a mini into the drugstore and actually tried on the glasses there while looking at it and found a pair that worked for me. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loim Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 I have a cheapo that works ok. I can do fine just by taking my glasses off though, since I'm near sighted. I'd like to try MagEyes. They look very lightweight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg of Coot Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 (edited) I've used jeweller's visors while painting for over twenty years now, and I don't know how I could have managed without one. I've got two at present - one with adjustable magnification, one without - and have found that the ones with built in lights are pretty useless, as they don't improve illumination much and eat batteries like nobody's business. I've also found that the ultra-cheapo visors tend to distort your vision - so spending the money on a decent one is worth your while. The Egg Edited August 26, 2015 by Egg of Coot 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kheprera Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 (edited) Thanks for replies. Unfortunately the SE MH1047L Illuminated Multi-Power LED Head Magnifier seems available only from USA, and I live in Italy, so shipping and eventual custom charges can be high. But I've found a very similar one (to the point I think is a rebranded one) on ebay from UK. Maybe I'll give it a try. I already wear glasses, so the ones from pharmacy aren't an option :) Says you! I wear two pairs of glasses at the same time when painting minis. Sandra Garrity wears two while sculpting. I will also use a magnifying light if I have to. I also suffer from a lot of headaches. The visors don't work for me. Edited August 26, 2015 by Kheprera 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K2h2m3 Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 I use a visor and I commonly use 2.5x magnification. I also find the lighted ones to be useless but to be fair I have extremely good lighting. If I had to get a new one I would go with Optivisor. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artists Wren Posted August 26, 2015 Artists Share Posted August 26, 2015 I recommend buying a real brand OptiVisor, particularly if you have to buy online without the opportunity to try it first. I have used one comfortably for 10 years or so. I wear glasses, and now bifocals, and the transition was fine. If they're available where you are, you might consider the MagEyes style visor instead. It's lighter and cooler to wear. It also works better with how bifocals work if you think you will need those eventually. With MagEyes you are looking down towards your work, with the OptiVisor style, you're looking up a bit, and then down under the visor to see your desk and palette. Bifocals place the close up lens to the bottom of your glasses lens, so MagEyes and bifocals work more naturally together. However, a caveat! I started with OptiVisor, and haven't been able to adjust over to the MagEyes. I think a lot of that is being too used to the OptiVisor to adjust. I do think the MagEyes have a smaller focal point. What I mean is, there's a sweet spot of what distance to hold the figure from the MagEyes that is smaller than the sweet spot distance for OptiVisor style lenses. So you need to get over the habit of trying to move things closer to see them better if you use MagEyes. (I have several different lens plates for the MagEyes, so I don't think it's an issue of the magnification being different than what I can achieve with my OptiVisor.) I have a knock-off brand visor, as well. I cannot use it without getting headaches and my vision going weird. So far I have yet to find someone else who can successfully use it, or I'd give it away in a heartbeat. So although it was cheaper than my OptiVisor, it was wasted money since I can't use it. :->I started with a lamp that had a magnifier attached. I do not recommend magnifiers of this type. The magnifier can interfere with you getting the brush where you want it, and the magnification isn't as good or as comfortable as a visor.That was my experience, at any rate! 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranky Dog Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 I started with a lamp that had a magnifier attached. I do not recommend magnifiers of this type. The magnifier can interfere with you getting the brush where you want it, and the magnification isn't as good or as comfortable as a visor.That was my experience, at any rate! I had the same thing and arrived at the same conclusion. It magnifies, yes. But under a limited window and little room for brush movement. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruizu1990 Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 (edited) I have a Tamiya visor. It was expensive but worth it for me. It came with three levels of magnification and the lenses are high quality. It's also comfortable to wear and doesn't get sweaty. They don't make my eyes feel funny. I tried cheap reading glasses but didn't like them. Edited August 26, 2015 by Ruizu1990 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willmontgomery Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 It also works better with how bifocals work if you think you will need those eventually. My advice is... people should pretty much think that they will need multi-focals eventually. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinh Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 I use an Optivisor with my bifocals and I find the focal distant of it allows me to use my brushes comfortably. I did use a magnifier/light on an extension arm but the focal distance was so close I kept hitting the lamp/glass lens all the time and then bouncing the point of the brush all over the mini... very frustrating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastman Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 I will agree with a number of earlier posters and recommend the real Optivisor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hex Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 (edited) I've been looking at magnifying desk lamps as well. Any reason why the headband is better than the lamp? Also, as a cheaper alternative, I recently picked up one of these and its not bad. Edited September 29, 2015 by ladystorm commerce link removed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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