Focus on tools - Optivisor 

I have owned an Optivisor for at least fifteen years and find it invaluable for a number of tasks. I also use mine in conjunction with reading glasses to gain extra magnification an excellent combination. The Optivisor is worth every penny.

That second set you showed are identical to what I have and (I am also a reading glasses wearer) I don't need to to swap them, with the headband I can just wear them over my glasses when I need to. My only complaint, but this would be applicable to all magnifying headsets, is that I have very little depth of field in my vision when using them. But the magnifying lens flips up out of the way so that really solves that problem. Your comment about the lenses being a bit loose after a while is true but they really only drop out if I am clumsy when trying to adjust them. On a side note your Optivisor problem with the lens holder dropping down, could probably be solved by just fitting a fibre or rubber washer in there. I also find the light on mine very useful, no matter how much lighting I have, doing close work inevitably causes shadows from my hands just where I don't want it, which the light resolves nicely. Good review though.

Yes, there's not much on the bench I can do without them! I got a set with two lenses, where the front one flips out of the way - which seems to work well - and I use the light when painting figures. I'm that used to having them on I set out to the shop in them once! 🙄🤣🤣

I was lucky enough to lay my hands on an Optivisor with a 7X lens. It's been invaluable during my 1/350 Titanic build, considering the amount of aftermarket P.E. that needed to be bent up. It's lasted 10 years now and I couldn't be more pleased with it.

Much prefer my Optivisor over the various open frame types on the market. As you rightly state the lenses come loose and drop out easily and the led lights pack up in short order, also the clarity of the glass Optivisor lens I find superior to the plastic lenses in the other magnifiers. One area where the Optivisor looses out is the lack of peripheral vision compared to the open frame style. Overall though the Optivisor is in my opinion the superior product.

Jason, your Focus on Tools videos are always helpful. I have some magnifiers like the first pair you said you were using. I'll pay attention to how they where. Thanks for sharing your vdeo.

I have a very poor eyesight (that requires regular interventions in order to avoid getting fully blind), so there is a lot of things I simply can not do without using magnifying glasses (and lots, lots of light) including reading and, of course, scale models. I opted for a cheap no-name headset/bandeset that comes with two slots that lets one uses two lenses at the same time because all the single slots brands, even the more expensive ones, I tested were not sufficient for me to see anything. Using two lenses, I am forced to work up close, like real close to the model with barely any space to move the tool around, and I have a very shallow depth of field, but at least I am able to see what I am doing ;)

A good insight into to magnification ( no pun intended) . Personally I won't worry to much about the delivery person on 2 points . Probably seen worse and no doubt there schedule is probably manic ( 100 plus drops a day) to notice

I need to get me some of those!

great review my friend im looking out for some magnifiers so this video couldnt of come at a better time will be ordering a set now thanks for sharing

Thanks for a good review Jason. I guess I'll have to differ on this one. I don't wear reading glasses (yet)...and I've tried both the Optivisor style and the open frame type. I find I VERY MUCH need the ability to have my peripheral vision...so the enclosed Optivisor didn't work for me. I've never had an issue with my Open Frame style having the lenses fall out (just tested them and they are very tight still after almost a year)...but I don't change lenses often (just use the max mag lens and leave it in place). The light in mine very bright, charged via USB and adjusts to different angles (not hugely helpful...but have used it occasionally). The only issue I did have with the open frame style concerned the "ear pieces"...not that they tended to slide and fall off, but they broke very easy (guess I have a wide head)...so I went to the band (I still find it easy on/easy off...although I usually just flip the lens up during a modeling session). On this topic...we have one guy in the club who "stacks" several pair of glasses on his nose to do PE work...works for him but looks just as goofy as you can imagine. He's a good sport about it. Glad the Optivisor works for you.

Hi Jason, great Focus on Tools, yet again! I am extremely nearsighted, up close I see really well, but I cant see clearly more than a foot in front of my face. I bought a cheap knock-off of the Optivisor, but never use them. I am constantly taking my glasses off to see up close and back on to see the computer screen. I guess I should get some bifocals. Thanks for sharing, see you next time.

To be honest the Original Optivisor ones do have black plastic adjusting screws, not metal.

There seems to be quite a distance from your eyes to the lenses in those, does that effect your field of view? 👓 I use the vision aid ones that fit like glasses and have a light that's USB charged so its light weight not having a battery. I also wear mine 90% of the time. Nice review 👍

I hate to say it, but I am not so sure that is a genuine Optivisor... they have a leather padded cushion, black nylon thumbscrews and usually only come with one glass lens. That said, it doesn't really matter if they work for you. I had the second set you showed and, as a glasses wearer, hated them! The nose grip becomes very painful. I cant justify the price Optivisors cost so am thinking of buying a cheaper copy.

I think the ones you are showing are the off brand one as they don't have any branding on the flat plate behind the lenses, the should have the Optivisor and Donegan branding.

It's not original, it's a Chinese replica.