Visors/Lights for MRR work?

[RobertInOntario]

I was at my eye doctor's this morning and he suggested that I should obtain a set of visors (or goggles?), with a lamp, for my close-up model train work. I now need reading glasses and my doctor said that even the best reading glasses (or the equivalent) won't be enough to help me with my modeling work.

I also need glasses for distance. FYI, I use contact lenses now, i.e. I use contacts that work both for distance as well as for reading -- that's how much "contact lens technology" has advanced in recent years! But he still recommended using these visors/lamps as well.

I've certainly seen people using these visors/lamp gadgets at model train shows, working on their models or constructing buildings, etc. My eye doctor said you could buy these at Wal-Mart but I just thought I'd ask here if there are better places for purchasing these? Also, about how much do they cost?

Thanks,
Rob

[MountainMan]

as you get older, you lose the ability to focus your near vision, leading to bifocals and all that other stuff.

There are many such devices available at hobby shops and train shops, as well as from companies marketing hobby tools and equipment. you should be able to use something off-the-shelf unless you have special or complex vision requirements.

I know how you feel - N-scalers can't get by without them, and many a "large scale convert" has become one because he can no longer see well enough in smaller scales.

The "Golden Years" really suck...

[RobertInOntario]

as you get older, you lose the ability to focus your near vision, leading to bifocals and all that other stuff.
There are many such devices available at hobby shops and train shops, as well as from companies marketing hobby tools and equipment. you should be able to use something off-the-shelf unless you have special or complex vision requirements.
I know how you feel - N-scalers can't get by without them, and many a "large scale convert" has become one because he can no longer see well enough in smaller scales.
The "Golden Years" really suck...

Thanks! I might just try my LHS options then. I think these could really be helpful when working with fine detail, etc. It's funny, I never really considered these until my eye doctor suddenly suggested them!

My eyes for close-up work aren't too bad yet, I only need +1.5 or +2.0 for reading. I didn't start needing reading glasses until I was 47 or so (now definitely need them at 51).

Another option, which often works for me, is to simply remove my glasses/contacts and just zoom in using only my eyes. I'm basically near-sited, so I can zoom in up-close, i.e. holding objects a mere 3-4" away from my eyes!

Rob

[MasonJar]

Rob,

The LHS is probably one of the more expensive places to get a set. I got mine at Active Electronics in Ottawa for about $8. If you have an Active, or Busy Bee tools or Princess Auto, you'll probably find a better deal there.

Andrew

[P5se Camelback]

I am the poster child for myopia, having worn glasses since I was 18 months old ... please ... no Coke bottle jokes!

I have worn bi-focals now for better than 15 years. I use an Optivisor with a #5 optical plate screwed to the front of it and a sinbgle "high intensity" Tensor-type work lamp. For really small, really close work, I look just over the top of my glasses , straight through the Optivisor and just move in closer. I've built stuff like the Scale Structures Limited "Vertical Steam Engine," which is maybe 3/4" tall with ten or twelve parts, and painted it ... as an optical aid, the thing is a God-send ... oh ... can I still say that?

Sure, I used to get ribbed by my former wife (and now by my grown up daughter) about how I look with it flipped up on my head ... so what! I could say something about the way they ... well ... I could, but I won't ... because I'm too nice a guy to say something like that! I just smile and suck it up.

I would highly recommend the Original Optivisor and one or two "high intensity" lamps ... you should be fine!

[RobertInOntario]

Rob,
The LHS is probably one of the more expensive places to get a set. I got mine at Active Electronics in Ottawa for about $8. If you have an Active, or Busy Bee tools or Princess Auto, you'll probably find a better deal there.
Andrew

Thanks, Andrew. I wondered about that. I have seen a couple Princess Auto stores around here and we also have an electronics store called Sayal in North York -- maybe I should try them.

Cheers,
Rob

[RobertInOntario]

I am the poster child for myopia, having worn glasses since I was 18 months old ... please ... no Coke bottle jokes!
I have worn bi-focals now for better than 15 years. I use an Optivisor with a #5 optical plate screwed to the front of it and a sinbgle "high intensity" Tensor-type work lamp. For really small, really close work, I look just over the top of my glasses , straight through the Optivisor and just move in closer. I've built stuff like the Scale Structures Limited "Vertical Steam Engine," which is maybe 3/4" tall with ten or twelve parts, and painted it ... as an optical aid, the thing is a God-send ... oh ... can I still say that?
Sure, I used to get ribbed by my former wife (and now by my grown up daughter) about how I look with it flipped up on my head ... so what! I could say something about the way they ... well ... I could, but I won't ... because I'm too nice a guy to say something like that! I just smile and suck it up.
I would highly recommend the Original Optivisor and one or two "high intensity" lamps ... you should be fine!

Thanks ... all of this sounds good and stuff I can relate to. I'll consider the Original Optivisor then.

I told my wife about this earlier today, i.e. that my eye doctor recommended my getting a visor to help with my MRR work. She told me that it was fine for me to get one as long as I only used it in the basement (and didn't let anyone else see me) !

Rob

[P5se Camelback]

... I told my wife about this earlier today, i.e. that my eye doctor recommended my getting a visor to help with my MRR work. She told me that it was fine for me to get one as long as I only used it in the basement (and didn't let anyone else see me) !
Rob

See! I told you! It's universal with women! My former wife, my daughter, your wife ... I've never had a guy say one word about it!

[BR60103]

Rob:
I have a bunch of things I use.
The original Opti-Visor is probably the most versatile. It can have changeable lenses and an extra magnifier. I saw that you can get a light that fastens around the lenses.
I have a set of flip-up magnifiers that clip on my glasses (MicroMart) These are a bit too heavy and tend to tip my glasses off. They don't clip to contacts.
Also a lamp with a magnifier in the shade. I don't use this much. And a little stand with a magnifying glass and 2 alligator clips.
Worst problem with magnifiers is that the more powerful they are, the closer you have to get to your work. You don't want to solder or use solvents if you have a long nose.
I can use the magnifiers only with my distance glasses -- they get weird with my readers.

I have tons of lights around my workbench and layout -- mostly the ones with long hinged arms. I also bought a bunch of OttLites -- that are supposed to be fully natural light. My wife likes one for doing needlepoint because she can distinguish thread colours. Ours were on sale a Costco; other stores stock them but at much higher prices.

A note for the near-sighted: ask your eye specialist or GP about the signs of detached retina; it's one of the things we are liable to. Particularly sudden odd textures in your vision and flashes of light that you can't explain.

[RobertInOntario]

Rob:
I have a bunch of things I use.
The original Opti-Visor is probably the most versatile. It can have changeable lenses and an extra magnifier. I saw that you can get a light that fastens around the lenses.
I have a set of flip-up magnifiers that clip on my glasses (MicroMart) These are a bit too heavy and tend to tip my glasses off. They don't clip to contacts.
Also a lamp with a magnifier in the shade. I don't use this much. And a little stand with a magnifying glass and 2 alligator clips.
Worst problem with magnifiers is that the more powerful they are, the closer you have to get to your work. You don't want to solder or use solvents if you have a long nose.
I can use the magnifiers only with my distance glasses -- they get weird with my readers.

I have tons of lights around my workbench and layout -- mostly the ones with long hinged arms. I also bought a bunch of OttLites -- that are supposed to be fully natural light. My wife likes one for doing needlepoint because she can distinguish thread colours. Ours were on sale a Costco; other stores stock them but at much higher prices.

A note for the near-sighted: ask your eye specialist or GP about the signs of detached retina; it's one of the things we are liable to. Particularly sudden odd textures in your vision and flashes of light that you can't explain.

Thanks for this info, David. I've seen you using one of these at train shows ... are you saying you can buy Opti-Visors from Costco? If so, that would be great as we have a membership, etc.

Re detached retinas: I think I should be OK as my eye doctor thoroughly checked my eyes today (I was there about 1.5 hours) and he even took some photographs of them using new technology. However, I occasionally see flashes of light or floaters.

Take care, Rob

[MountainMan]

as you get older, you lose the ability to focus your near vision, leading to bifocals and all that other stuff.
There are many such devices available at hobby shops and train shops, as well as from companies marketing hobby tools and equipment. you should be able to use something off-the-shelf unless you have special or complex vision requirements.
I know how you feel - N-scalers can't get by without them, and many a "large scale convert" has become one because he can no longer see well enough in smaller scales.
The "Golden Years" really suck...

Thanks! I might just try my LHS options then. I think these could really be helpful when working with fine detail, etc. It's funny, I never really considered these until my eye doctor suddenly suggested them!

My eyes for close-up work aren't too bad yet, I only need +1.5 or +2.0 for reading. I didn't start needing reading glasses until I was 47 or so (now definitely need them at 51).

Another option, which often works for me, is to simply remove my glasses/contacts and just zoom in using only my eyes. I'm basically near-sited, so I can zoom in up-close, i.e. holding objects a mere 3-4" away from my eyes!

Rob

That's what I used to be able to do, until after the surgeries. Looking back on it, it was kind of handy. My biggest problem now is working on electrical stuff like light fixtures on the ceiling, where neither glasses nor plain eyesight work well. I use those over-the-counter reading glasses for that.

Those vision visors often come with an extra swivel-down lens for real close-up work, so I have found them quite useful. Something else to try is an illuminated, hands-off magnifier. It comes with a large viewing lens and a built-in light source that allows you to use two hands and avoid wearing the magnifying visor.

[tetters]

Robert,

Another good place to look for stuff like visors is Sayal Electronics right here in Toronto on Victoria Park Avenue, just a couple blocks south of Steeles Ave.

http://www.sayal.com/

Then there is always Active Surplus on Queen Street, in the downtown core, just West of University Ave. If you reach the City TV John Street Building, you've gone too far West.

http://www.activesurplus.com/

Call ahead first though, just to make sure they have what you are looking for.

[RobertInOntario]

Robert,

Another good place to look for stuff like visors is Sayal Electronics right here in Toronto on Victoria Park Avenue, just a couple blocks south of Steeles Ave.

http://www.sayal.com/

Then there is always Active Surplus on Queen Street, in the downtown core, just West of University Ave. If you reach the City TV John Street Building, you've gone too far West.

http://www.activesurplus.com/

Call ahead first though, just to make sure they have what you are looking for.

Thanks, Tetters. I think Sayal is a good option for me as I occasionally drive right by it.

Rob

[BR60103]

Rob: I haven't seen OptiVisors at Costco, just the OttLites. But even this was a couple of years ago -- Costco isn't good for going back for things.

[RobertInOntario]

Rob: I haven't seen OptiVisors at Costco, just the OttLites. But even this was a couple of years ago -- Costco isn't good for going back for things.

Thanks, David. I'll check at Sayal first (and/or Princess Auto, etc.). I'll also see what my LHS's have although, as noted, they'll probably be much more expensive.