Hi all.
I used have perfect eyesight into my early 50s but its pretty crap now in my early 60s!
I find my reading glass just don’t do it for fine work (soldering, placing components and wires) and using hand held magnifying glass sometimes requires me to grow a third arm.
Interested to know what set up others have to cope with poor vision and fine work.
Cheers,
Mark.
Hi Mark,
For me I have a few things depending on the task at hand.
Getting good light is the number 1 thing (for me). So what ever setup I look at, it must supply a good amount of light.
For quick inspection, reading fine markings on parts etc, I have a small hand held “LED Flash Loupe” 10x. its 3AAA batteries last a very very long time, it was part of a tool kit I got over 20 years ago. Its handy as its portable and quick to use, but you need to get close to it and the thing you are looking at, so inspection only.
At the solder workbench, I like to have 120 - 150mm diameter glass so I don’t need to align it perfect and can see as much of what I am working on as I can. It has a full ring light around the edge to get good light around the subject and few shadows. This can be on a weighted base or fixed to the desk and is can swing it over the work when needed or out of the way when not needed/setting up. It is fully 3D positional (within reason). this is also very old and I cant see any markings as to the magnification.
For really fine inspection (e.g. when looking for faults) at my work bench, I have an AmScope Trinocular Stereo Zoom. I have a few different lenses for it depending on needs and it its on a boom to position over the works. It has a ring light around the lens with adjustable light (sometimes the is too much light so handy to adjust as needed). I also got the camera for it if I need to take a photo or share in a video chat.
the stereo vision is really good.
You get the digital microscopes and a screen, but with these you are not looking at your work. Some people don’t mind that, but for me, my hands want to work were my eyes are, so I prefer to be looking at what Im working on.
Finding the right zoom might be a bit tricky as to little zoom and its not providing much value, too much zoom and it will be hard to focus (shallow depth of field).
I would also recommend a good work support system to hold things in place.
Hi Mark
I think Michael has most everything covered.
There are many different styles of this sort of thing around. Core have a few but one is pretty expensive. I think most tool suppliers would have something.
I know Jaycar and Altronics have a selection and both have a pretty useful looking device that is not really expensive. Worth a look even if only for ideas.
Jaycar TH1989
Altronics T1463
Both of these vendors have other types and magnification strengths.
There are different types of board support systems around too, some are pretty expensive but look very good. I think this is a case of you get what you pay for in some respects.
Regarding your spectacles. I too required vision assistance a few years into working in the electronics industry. I first found trouble reading things like the value on a 3AG fuse or anything else with poor contrast. Like my Doctor suggested the street directory at night (pre SatNav days). I used reading glasses for a while but found them useless for work use due to the requirement to focus on things at greatly varying distances like from a few centimetres to a metre or so.
I found using Multifocal lenses much better and have been using these for many years now. These do not suit everybody and you have to get used to looking through the correct part of the lens which means moving your head instead of just your eyes. Might be worth investigating in your case though if you have not already done so.
Cheers Bob
Hi Mark,
A few years back i bought a light and magnifier, such as used for sewing, and have found this great when I am attempting to solder. Large enough lens to see through with both eyes at the same time, good LED light on my work, and it stays where it’s put.
Coincidentally I noticed Aldi had these “Magnified Task Lamp” recently, and still a few in stock at my local branch.
Thanks so much Gents.
Lots to think about!
I have seen a few people (woodworkers, skin cancer Dr) use this sort of thing over the years.
Thoughts?
I see Carson also do a Soldering Station Magnifier although not cheap!
Hi Mark
This is pretty similar to the ones I suggested from Jaycar and Altronics. Nothing of any merit in this type of thing is particularly “cheap” although the local offerings look a bit cheaper than that Carson one although the Carson device seems to be powered via a plug pack but I note no Aus power point adaptor only US, EU or UK.
The Jaycar is 4 X AA cells and the Altronics is USB A to C cable. Apparently no power pack, supply your own or computer.
A rechargeable one would what I would be looking at.
Cheers Bob
I have been using this device for many years and have found it pretty effective. Never used the battery powered light not very effective at illumination.
My eyesight started deteriorating in my 40’s, now in my late 60’s it is getting worse.
Cheers
Jim
Thanks Jim.
I found these on ebay a while back… and they work great. 5 different magnification lenses, easily swapped over… with a light. I couldn’t work without them! Cost me aboout $25.
Charging is quite rapid… and they last for ages on a charge.
Cheers,
T
Hi Mark and all,
Great discussion - I’ll use some of these links to update our range!
We’re in the process of getting some digital microscopes online (magnification between 100-180x), that can be connected to a HDMI monitor - good for SMD work.
And some lower magnification (yet to confirm the factor) units with inbuilt screens.
We have a couple of these in the office and are great: https://core-electronics.com.au/catalogsearch/result/?order=bestsellers&q=daylight
Liam
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