loupe recommendation

[steve B]

Yes, I have a few. I find the folding magnifiers to be a bit more useful than the more fixed funnel shaped loupes. I've never developed the skill the Swiss machinist I worked for had of holding the loupe in his eye like a monocle.

The two I use the most are a 10X folder that's a bit small. Good for a quick look in good light. And a larger 40X folder that had its own light. Both were very inexpensive from a supplies seller at an antique mall. I think the 40X was under $10, certainly no more than $20. It has a few shortcomings. The switch for the light has never really worked. And the screws for the hinge kept coming loose. I don't use the light much, and a bit of blue locktite kept the screws in place. The optics aren't spectacular, but very good for the price.

Steve B