Going to buy a loupe, what's the best one?

[104peterb]

Hi All,

I'm going to buy a new loupe for inspecting vintage watches a little more closely.
Is there a good brand I should get? How strong do you think it should be, or is that down to how good your vision is. Feel free if you think I'm taking this way too far

Cheers and happy Christmas!

[cajuntiger]

If cost isn't a concern, check out Loupe System:
http://www.loupesystem.com

Its the best Loupe Ive ever used.

[104peterb]

Wow, those do look good. Thanks, you've certainly answered my question on which is the best. Looking to spend a bit less though to be honest. Any other cheaper, well established brands?

Cheers

[nsumner]

Originally Posted by cajuntiger

If cost isn't a concern, check out Loupe System:
http://www.loupesystem.com

Its the best Loupe Ive ever used.

Just bought one too, it's amazing. Well worth the price

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by cajuntiger

If cost isn't a concern, check out Loupe System:
http://www.loupesystem.com

Its the best Loupe Ive ever used.

Originally Posted by nsumner

Just bought one too, it's amazing. Well worth the price

I'm interested. Do you guys recommend the 3X or the 6X?

[cajuntiger]

I have the Model 01 (6x)...its perfect.

[nsumner]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

I'm interested. Do you guys recommend the 3X or the 6X?

6x for me too

[mdw3]

Schneider 10x triplet diamond loupe. 4x is for amateurs, you can't see anything serious, and all other 10x loupes have significant edge distortion and chromatic aberration. I carry one everywhere I travel, anytime I might look at a watch, and I have used the same one for 10 years. It is the standard of the gemology industry. Buy one, you won't regret it.

Michael

[garymm]

I think the one I just got is what you need. It is the Belomo 10x Triplet. Triplet means it has a three element viewing lens. You can google it and you will see two models I got the one with a slightly larger viewing field but you may want the other one. Same price. The important thing about the triplet is that it is color corrected. The others are not.

[jolimont]

10x is for amateurs
Try one of these
Can see fungal growth on dialsImageUploadedByTapatalk1419579188.815139.jpg

[warpath]

http://instagram.com/p/we_RAVrG5d/
You just need this one for the Pirate look! Nothing beats that.

[artschool]

Originally Posted by jolimont

10x is for amateurs
Try one of these
Can see fungal growth on dials

you need to upgrade. i dont even have to carry mine in my pocket, i just adjust the geosynchronous orbit.

[Brushpup]

For the price point you cant beat these Lite Loupes. Built in white and UV LEDs...very handy and you can spend more for less loupe. Excellent for gemstones too, and I think if you look, they have diffrent magnification levels. They are Triplet loupes as well.

These are excellent: http://www.amazon.com/Lite-Loupe-Sty...rds=Lite+Loupe

[104peterb]

Thanks all!

[fattoro]

Zeiss D40 for me.

[linesiders]

I read somewhere (maybe here?) that heavily magnifying things and reflecting LED l9ight is very bad for the eyes. FYI.

Any optometrists here to confirm or deny?

[drainaps]

I use cheap CHN ones regularly. I always carry one in my case. Best are those with both white and UV leds. Helps a lot in checking Lume and overall dial state. No big loss. I'd buy a cheap one first and then walk your way up if you feel you need more. A x30 does the trick nicely for me.

[CDNWatchNut]

Originally Posted by garymm

I think the one I just got is what you need. It is the Belomo 10x Triplet. Triplet means it has a three element viewing lens. You can google it and you will see two models I got the one with a slightly larger viewing field but you may want the other one. Same price. The important thing about the triplet is that it is color corrected. The others are not.

+1 on Belomo. Very good quality optics, and reasonably priced.

[sturgeon123456]

Originally Posted by mdw3

Schneider 10x triplet diamond loupe. 4x is for amateurs, you can't see anything serious, and all other 10x loupes have significant edge distortion and chromatic aberration. I carry one everywhere I travel, anytime I might look at a watch, and I have used the same one for 10 years. It is the standard of the gemology industry. Buy one, you won't regret it.

Michael

This is the correct loupe and answer.

Anything under 10x is pointless.

The Schneider costs more than the other loupes everyone is raving about...but those do not provide enough magnification to properly evaluate things.

[dexvd]

Does anyone use glasses style loupes, my girlfriend is a dental hygienist and uses a pair from these guys http://www.exam-vision.com/our-products/loupes.php I see they only go up to 5.8x but I would think it would be easier to use although perhaps more of a hassle to carry around something that is just like a pair of glasses.