Characteristic
Special head magnifiers are widely used both in science and medicine, for example, they are very often used by neurosurgeons and ophthalmologists, and in everyday life, all because they are very comfortable and functional. After all, there are situations when we need to consider some small details, and at the same time, our hands should be completely free. In such a situation, of course, an ordinary desktop magnifier with a mount can help, but often its magnification capabilities are not enough, and it is also not very convenient to transfer it from place to place every time. This is where binocular loupes come to our rescue.
Such a magnifier is a magnifying glass in a plastic case, most often lightweight, a device is attached to the head using a special strap and a retainer, often they are made with illumination. Also recently, magnifying glasses began to be replaced by plastic lenses, which are in no way inferior, and sometimes even surpass glass.
The general characteristics of binocular lenses include:
- the field of view is the area that the eye can see through a given lens;
- the working distance of the lens is the distance at which the lens is clearly focused;
- depth of field is the range of distance over which an object or image remains in sharp focus;
- the magnification factor is the number of times the image is enlarged.
Appointment
In order not to be disappointed in the purchase of such loupes, you should carefully determine the purpose in which you will use them, since different types of binocular loupes are suitable in different industries.
If you choose such a device and are going to use it in the field of medicine (for example, you are an ENT specialist, ophthalmologist, dentist, surgeon), then you should choose a device with a wide range of lenses of different characteristics.
If you work with small details, for example, soldering electronics, and you need such a magnifier in your work, then a device with one type of lens will suit you, so you can not spend extra money. A magnifying glass is perfect here as a mount. And you can choose the lighting yourself, it all depends on how it is more convenient for you.
For those people who are engaged in jewelry, restoration of paintings, decorative embroidery, it is better to choose a device with several types of lenses, with any type of attachment that is more convenient, well, and the option with LED-backlighting.
Advantages and disadvantages
The purpose of the magnifier is to visually enlarge the image. Through it, you can see small details that are not visible without visual magnification. Watchmakers and jewelers usually use forehead magnifiers for convenience. Head-mounted loops have many advantages.
- Freedom of hands. When attaching the magnifier to the forehead, hands are free and can perform various actions, which is necessary for the repair of any mechanisms.
- Durability. This type of optics is made of wear-resistant materials. The product is not afraid of mechanical damage.
- Light weight of the device. Does not cause discomfort during use.
- Small size.
- Ease of use. Holds securely, there is an eye mount.
If the product is illuminated, it provides:
- a good detailed overview, you can see the smallest elements;
- allows you to work in low light conditions.
The disadvantages of such optics may be low functionality and inconsistency with modern requirements, if the product is of a dubious brand and very low cost.
How to choose?
Head-mounted optical devices greatly facilitated the work of the craftsmen, freeing both hands for better performance of the assigned tasks. When choosing an optical device, you need to understand the technical characteristics.
- Magnification degree. A very significant parameter.
- Lens type. Monocular and binocular. And also another look is a triple lens magnifier with anti-glare coating. It has a good viewing angle and high magnification.
- Material. The lens can be made of glass or plastic, or plastic with aluminum with the addition of fiberglass particles. From what the lens is made of, its characteristics, such as strength and durability, depend.
- Optical power. The measurement value is diopters. This indicates the ability to refract light rays.
- Design features. You can choose a magnifier for the head, which is fixed on the temple of the glasses. Or one that is inserted directly into the eye socket. Backlit models are in great demand.
The main characteristics for choosing an optical device are its weight, the size of the structure and the distance from the object. They must be taken into account by the craftsmen in order for the product to serve longer.
When choosing, you should also pay attention to the brand name. At the moment, a large selection of optical products is presented on the market, each customer can choose a suitable device for themselves.
There are several manufacturers with fairly reasonable prices.
Swiss brand Horotec. This company manufactures optical devices. She has been engaged in this type of activity since 1946 and has managed to win the universal trust of craftsmen around the world. In addition to classic products, the brand manufactures threaded magnifiers, as well as plastic and aluminum types of rings, backlit forehead devices.
A headlamp (binocular) magnifier with illumination is presented in the video below.
Choice
Before choosing a type of binocular magnifier, it is worth considering all its advantages.
- Simplicity, convenience and ease of use.
- The ability to choose the option that will be useful to you in everyday life or in your work, since there are a lot of such varieties, there is a necessary item for everyone.
- Additional clarity of the desired image.
- A high-quality magnifier has a special coating that does not give glare, which means that the color rendition is excellent.
- Compactness of the device and low weight.
- Resistant to moisture and dust.
If you work in medicine and choose this magnifier, then you need to know the order of its selection.
- First, determine the optimal working distance, that is, the distance between your eyes and the object you are looking at in Table 1.
- Then, according to table 1, determine the required increase, depending on the specialty in which the work is carried out.
- And at the end, decide on the type of the most head binocular magnifier that you need (type of attachment, illumination and the number of lenses in the set).
If you need such a magnifier for other work, then you need to choose the magnification factor of the lenses in a certain way.
- A magnification of 2.5 is the most common in use, as it has a large depth of field and a wide coverage of the field of view.
- The 3.5 magnification is used in very fine work, where a large depth of field and a wide field of view are not required. Usually these are works with very small details.
- The multiplicity 3.0 is something in between the first and second options. There is a very good magnification here and an average depth of field and an average field of view.
Thus, we can conclude that a binocular loupe is a very convenient device both in professional activities and in some domestic conditions. This device has a number of advantages compared to other types of magnifying devices, the main thing is to choose it correctly according to the above tips.
Below is a video review of the illuminated binocular loupe.