Donegan OSC OptiSIGHT Binocular Magnifying Visor, Blue

This visor is much better than the previous ones I have had. The others only went to 3.5X max (with two lenses in place), this offers 4x and 5x in addition to 3X. The image is sharp all the way out to the edges and there is NO chromatic aberration! Every other plastic lens visor I've used has had significant chromatic aberration (color fringing on high contrast edges). Both these make it so much easier to use and much less eye strain for me. The whole assembly is much lighter than the others I've used, as others have mentioned I forget I have it on. The plastic strap on the back works very well. It takes some experimenting to find the right setting, then it just works, the previous one I had would slowly get looser and start falling off. This very simple design just works. Once I figured out how to do it the lens changing is fast and easy. But I have settled in the 4X lens as the one I use most of the time. Good enough magnification for most tasks and reasonable working distance. The open frame design turns out to be a big plus over the closed design of the others. I can glance past the edge and see the surrounding area to pick up tools etc. All in all a wonderful purchase, I'm very glad I tried this one.

The optiSIGHT visor is very lightweight and comfortable to wear. I usually forget that I have it on! The pivot for the lens carrier is excellent: it can be tightened to hold the lens at a specific level, or provide just enough tension to move it up and down as needed. This model has plastic lenses, not glass like the more expensive models. I had concerns about the optical quality and durability, but I am happy to be wrong! The optics are clear, and should a lens ever be scratched, they are only around $5 to replace (not $25 like for glass). It comes with 3 powers: 1.75X at 14" distance, 2X at 10" distance, and 2.5X at 8" distance. Another lens is sold separately, the OptiSIGHT LE7 lensplate, which is 2X at a 6" viewing distance. I thought that I would want more magnification, that 2.5X wouldn't be enough, but so far I am very pleased with this purchase. I can wear it while working for hours without headaches or eye strain. And my craftsmanship has improved!

The all plastic construction and reduced material makes it lighter, easier to wear in hot weather, offers minimal obstruction to your regular and peripheral vision and overall lower cost compared to Donegan's flagship OptiVisor Donegan OptiVisor Headband Magnifier 2 1/2X Magnification . Its simply made, which means little can go wrong, easy to clean, easy to adjust visor or headband tensions and the lenses are very easy to interchange and mount. I have no trouble wearing this item on my head for hours on end, unlike the OptiVisor which is worn like a crown and thumbscrewed for comfortable tightness on your skull, you can wear the OptiSight in different positions you find secure and comfortable as it slips on like eyeglasses. I wear it propped like sunglasses atop your head, and pull the lens way down to allow me to see straight ahead easily. Other times where I shift between magnified vision and my unassisted eyes, I wear it like eyeglasses, with the headband resting nearer to the back of my ears. The headband strap is optional for smaller heads or if you like the headband tight, I don't use it. A reason for choosing Donegan over similar looking competition is their reputation for good optics. While glass for optics is preferred, plastic can be as good and weighs less, if _made_ properly. Lenses have to be free of subtle aberrations to prevent eye fatigue or worse, headaches, and it may not be noticeable until you work for hours with cheaper lenses that look OK by initial inspection. If you buy a cheapo magnifier, you'll have to find how good the lenses or the headband construction is by buying it and working with it for hours. For buying an item sight unseen, the Donegan is a better bet because of consistent quality in both lenses and visors across all their models. Lighter acrylic lenses mean a lighter visor, and like eyeglasses, can be worn for longer durations. Donegan uses the beefier Optivisor for its glass lenses with loupe attachment options, or acrylic lenses in the OptiVisor LX, both at higher cost. Optisight ships with 3 lenses, allowing users to optimize magnification for various types of work. Optivisor and LX ship with one choice of lens. As magnification increases, the distance between the lens and the working object decreases, as expected. However, properly made visors must have the same distance between the lens and your eyes; some cheaper models don't and it makes their interchangable lenses blurry and useless. For those who care, Donegan states all its visors are designed and made in USA. One drawback is a stowage pouch for the extra lenses. Without one, its easy to lose them.

These are great for occasional use when you need hands-free magnification. The plastic frame and lenses feel fragile, but they are lightweight and seem to be holding up well with occasional use. Replacement and different powered lenses are available and are easy to switch out. The plastic lenses scratch easily, so handle and store them with care and they should last for a long time. These magnifiers are a great alternative to the more expensive, metal and glass models.

I use the visor for detail work with soldering parts onto circuit boards. You know the "usual" visors, they fit like a halo around your whole head. you have to tighten it like a vise to keep it there. AND if you have bangs and pull your hair back when wearing, then you have the hassle of getting that halo arranged around your hair and it quite a hassle, and then if you need to see "normally", then you are pushing the visor up on your head and the whole hair arrangement thing starts over. This visor solves all that. It is very lightweight and stays where you put it. You wear it like a head band, for lack of a better description, and the magnifiers rotate down or up easily. This way, it has absolutely nothing to do with your hair and is very comfortable. I have been wishing for something like this for quite some time and I am very pleased with my purchase.