I been using cheap over the counter bi-focal eyeglasses for sometime and a cheap optivisor with plastic lenses which feels like I'm straining to perve through a double laminated frosted glass shower screen that's all fogged up.
So I was hoping to get some feedback on which are considered to be good brands and good quality optivisors.
What features should I look for and what should I expect to pay for quality.
Thanks, Mark S.

Hi, I tried the visor route and spent money on an expensive one but just couldn't get on with it. What I did was visit my optician and explained that I wanted a pair of glasses to enable me to be able to paint figures. Lo and behold a week later I had such a pair,they are brilliant! Even though I look like Mr Magoo when wearing them. I can now even see to paint 28mm so I am really chuffed as I now have the same vision I had in my twenties! Like you I wear glasses vari -focals in my case. Hope this is of some use.

I have an OptiVisor, but didn't like it. Too fussy. I purchased a swing arm magnifying work lamp and prefer it to the OptiVisor.

Well Optivisor themselves are the obvious first thought but the problem seems to be that some people just can't get used to wearing them (think there's a prior thread here where a few members mention this).

If you go with Optivisor the #5 seems to be the commonest choice (magnification 2.5X); expect to pay the equivalent of around US$30-40.

FWIW my plastic-lensed one is crystal clear, couldn't ask for better on that front. My main issues are my eyes getting used to wearing it and that it gets in the way of the end of the brush.

Have to say this might be the best route overall, and glasses often aren't too expensive these days.

Einion

Hi Mark

As someone who has worn glasses for the best part of 40years I would say, go to an opticians first get the right glasses, then see how you do with the optivisor you have. Those eyes are the most precious thing, get that bit right and the optivisor will be OK

Dave

OptiVisor to the power of 7.....dun dun dunnnnnn! With flip down 2x magnifiers. I look like some sort of uber nerd with it on, but I won't paint without it, cause that's the way I roll!

Jay H.

And an image from several years ago to delight those interested........blah!

I bought a optivisor at a Opticion.
The best investment i ever did. It is a colored correct optivisor with glass lenses.
It coust me around € 35 ,- then.
Was worth every euro.

marc

I can't use an optivisor, it takes 10 times as much eye strain to look through a set then it does looking at the figure focusing. What I'll do once I really need a set I will get a pair of loupes designed for medical surgery. Essentially they are magnifiers inserted into like an Oakley frame, and are absolutely mind blowingly awesome. It is like your normal vision but bigger and crisper. The only down size is that they cost quite a bit, around $700-900 I think. But at the end of the day it will be worth it.

Thanks for all your responses,they've been very helpful.

Peter, you're idea of asking an optician for purpose prescribed glasses sounds like a good idea.

Jay, I'll check out the optivisor you recommend, it looks as though it would be not only good for painting but also scaring the children.

Enion, Dave and Marc, thanks for your input. I'm starting to think an overdue trip to my optician is the best way to deal with this.

Anders, those medical surgery glasses sound grat but way out of my budget unfortunately.

Thanks again.

I don't think it's the OptiVisor that's doing the scaring in my case - LOL!!!

Jay H.

I bought myself a pair of optivisors and an additional lens #10
Best thing I ever did as I can see right into the minute details

All I need to do now is find a new pair of hands