I use a cheap Chinese copy using plastic lenses, that originally cost around ?8 GBP.
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It has a second drop down lens behind the first, to further increase the magnification, plus a single swivel monocular.
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It also had a pair of incandescent bulbs, either side of the headband, which I have swapped out for LED's powered by rechargeable cells, recovered from discarded disposable vapes, I often find littering the street.
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It works well enough for my purposes, as I still have to wear my prescription spectacles underneath, because they have corrective prism lenses.
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I also just acquired from AliExpress, a cheap <?20 GBP video microscope, with a desk mounted angle poise stand. This works really well when used close up, and can be connected to a PC for a larger display, or for taking videos and snapshots of items being viewed. The contrast isn't quite as good when the object being viewed is a few inches away, such as when soldering a PCB, but it's generally OK. The anglepoise stand is a great addition, as I can quickly swing the whole thing out of the way, when I don't need it.
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Here are some are typical listings.
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Updated version of my headband magnifier
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Some other styles
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4.3" digital microscope
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Anglepoise Stand
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All of these types of aids can be of considerable use, especially as we age. I tend to use SMD components most of the time, even when breadboarding circuits using "dead bug" or "Manhattan" style construction, and I don't really find it any more difficult than using much larger through hole components.
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Regards,
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Martin
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On Fri, Jan 3, 2025 at 09:46 PM, Mike M wrote:
The OptiVISOR is one solution:
