Magnifying Glass Recommendation

[Kent Adams]

Does anyone know where I can buy a high quality, non plastic, magnifying glass? Locally, all I can find are these cheaply made, plastic ground magnifying "glass" which I've found less than useful and a waste of money for me. These should be renamed magnifying plastic because they are not made out of glass.

I wear glasses so I'd like to have one where I'm not having to take off my glasses. Do they even make quality magnifying glasses anymore? I went to Carolina Biological's website and didn't see one and that was the one place I thought would have them. Any help would be appreciated.

[Dan Hintz]

Try Anchor Optics... owned by Edmund Scientific, it's like the outlet mall for a quality optics shop.
http://www.anchoroptics.com/pages/ca...Magnifiers.cfm

You should be able to find some decent quality magnifiers there...

[John Ziebron]

Kent, try checking out stores and websites that sell products for the visually impaired. They generally carry products that are higher grade and I'm sure you'll find real glass magnifiers there.

[Bruce Page]

Are you looking for hand held or head mount like the Optivisor?

[Kent Adams]

Bruce, strictly handheld.

[Shawn Pixley]

As Dan suggested, try the scientific types. I have a glass magnifier that I got back when I did science. If you don't need a 3-4" diameter glass, try a jewelor's loupe.

[Randy Rose]

Both McMaster Carr & Grainger offer models with glass optics.
Some have built in measuring scales

[Matt Marsh]

IMG_0238.jpg

I know some would say this is a cop-out, but I find the magnifier Apps available for smart phones very good, and very convenient.

[Kev Williams]

I have many magnifying glasses around here. The older ones are quite nice. And oddly enough, the cheap 5-pack of plastic loupes from Harbor Freight are not that bad-

But I have 2 lighted clamp-lamps with glass magnifying lenses, plus a newer glass handheld, and all 3 of them suck. Lots of waves and distortion...

Just sayin...

If ordering online, to play it safe you might go for a brand name, like Bausch & Lomb.

[Kent Adams]

I have many magnifying glasses around here. The older ones are quite nice. And oddly enough, the cheap 5-pack of plastic loupes from Harbor Freight are not that bad-

But I have 2 lighted clamp-lamps with glass magnifying lenses, plus a newer glass handheld, and all 3 of them suck. Lots of waves and distortion...

Just sayin...


If ordering online, to play it safe you might go for a brand name, like Bausch & Lomb.

This is what I'm finding. The new stuff I've bought is real bad compared to the older glass I remember having when I grew up.

[Stan Calow]

jewelers and stamp collectors have the kind that attach to your glasses and flip down.


(oops missed the 5th post)

[Randy Rose]

jewelers and stamp collectors have the kind that attach to your glasses and flip down.

Please see post #5