DH uses a clip-on, flip-up magnifying lens like this when we attend shows like the American Craft Council Show in the Spring. It's just enough magnification to allow him to look at items more closely. |
There are a lot of varieties of magnification augmentation available to people, taking vision one step farther (or closer, in this case) than just standard bi-focal glasses. Let's start out with the easiest one. When we attend craft shows and places where we want a detailed look, DH often will stick a set of flip down magnifiers into his pocket. These are handy little aids, just that small addition that can mean so much. They are subtle too, perfect for public venues.
I own two of these and keep one for home and the other for the shop. A lot of times, this is all of the magnification I need to look carefully at a repair or examine a setting. |
One step up from this are flip up headband assists such as the Optivisor. This features an adjustable headband that offers several different snap-in lenses offering different focal lengths. For years this was my choice when working at the jewelry bench, and I still have one at home and another at my bench at the shop for times when I need to quickly look at something with greater magnification. My main choice these days, however, is ...
... my CraftOptics Telescopes. They are the most expensive option, but absolute best choice. Wearing these I look a bit like some bug-eyed alien, but they are the most wonderful, and one of the most essential tools in my arsenal. I was unable to wear them for the past few years because their basic lense is my personal eyeglass prescription and my prescription was very out of date. But when I got my updated eye exam earlier this year, I set out to update all of my glasses, and the final pair to get updated were my CraftOptics.
I got my updated set back late last week and started wearing them again on Tuesday. What a RELIEF! I can see again. It cuts my time on a project down to a reasonable length because I'm not wasting time looking for the holes in the beads or the thread path. My friend Lisa Pavelka had talked me into adding the "Dream Beam" light to my Telescopes a few years ago and it was a great decision. Now I can see properly and light falls right where I need it.
Tools are essential. Good hammers for carpenters, great socket sets for car mechanics, and for people like myself who revel in making things from extremely small and shiny components, good quality vision augmenters. CraftOptics Telescope glasses aren't inexpensive, but they are worth every penny. Now I can be happy creating my art and doing repairs for my customers once again. Yeah - they're worth every cent. Have a great Thursday as we swing into another heat wave. Stay hydrated and body aware. I'll be back tomorrow.
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