Ed DeVivo Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 So after a lengthy absence of about 10 or so years, I decided to get back into model building.. Cleaned a nice corner in the garage, stocked up on supplies etc.. Very excited!! So.. going through my stash, I find the beautiful Aires Resin Cockpit for the Academy 1/48 SU-27... I remember making this purchase several years ago and never got around to the build. As I was inspecting each piece, admiring its detail, I noticed something. As I held the cockpit tub close, I had some difficulty focusing on the dials, etc. which would make painting exceptionally difficult. Now keep in mind, I am 47 yrs. old and its been over 10 yrs. since I completed a build and I am a bit older. Visually, I will say I am good. No other issues that would merit a trip to the eye Dr., however, what do some of you use for this? A magnifier? I see jewelers use this headpiece w/blue lenses... Any advice would help.. Have a great day... btw, probably going to do the Revell 1/48 F-15 OOB to start.. nice easy build! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 Optivisor with a #5 lens plate. Very high quality. Accessories as well as repair/replacement parts are readily available. Good magnification and focal length. I also have a #10 lens plate for very detailed work, but focal length is too limited for general use. Another useful doodad is a lamp with a daylight bulb. I got a Luxo desk lamp and put a 100W-equivalent daylight LED in it. Very nice! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ed DeVivo Posted October 14, 2017 Author Share Posted October 14, 2017 Hey thanks! I remember painting cockpits w/o the use of anything! My eyes actually started to hurt trying to focus on the knobs and dials.. Now I see the argument for 1/32.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joel_W Posted October 15, 2017 Share Posted October 15, 2017 Ed, I'll 2nd what dnl42 recommended, an Optivisor #5. I can't imagine modeling without mine. I did start off years ago with a #3, but a few years ago realized that I now needed more magnification. I'm also going to take his suggestion and get a #10 for the really close up detail work that I'm once again struggling with. Joel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sebastijan Posted October 16, 2017 Share Posted October 16, 2017 another happy user of Optivisor - I have a very good eyesight (40yrs old), but when I started my 1:700 USS Cole kit, the PE parts were just too tiny... it has since become an essential piece of equippment, especially for cockpit detailing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 LOVE my Optivisor. Remember, if the finished product looks good using the optivisor, it will look amazing with the naked eye. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Petrov27 Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Happy Optivisor user here - mostly just for rigging biplanes but has been handy for painting small details as well Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joel_W Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 Like I said, I'm about to buy a #7 so I'll have 3 through 7. Getting old truly sucks. But without my Optivisor, modeling would be just about impossible unless I was building 1/24 scale Joel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
goondman Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 Just bought a set of these. Very comfortable and LED light is very helpful/useful https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071VZ4X6P/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B071VZ4X6P&pd_rd_wg=YPXmY&pd_rd_r=TKCQTNFRJ9DV8138KNQM&pd_rd_w=VhuWj Quote Link to post Share on other sites
skyhawk174 Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 (edited) I too have an Optivisor with the X10 lens. I find I can leave them on and do my close up modelling. Very accustomed to having it on for long periods of time. I think my Optivisor came with a X3 lens but to me it was not enough. The only issue I am having now is the plastic nuts and bolts that hold the lens to the frame. Recently lost one bolt and cannot find it on my model room floor. Found the nut but no bolt. Will probably have to change them over to some small steel bolts. Edited November 12, 2017 by skyhawk174 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Robomog Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 Yep getting old truly sucks - My eyes are already shot but with a new prescription and a clip on magnifier similar to this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Super-Clip-on-Eye-Glass-Magnifier/dp/B0054G0H2Q/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1516969765&sr=8-5&keywords=clip+on+magnifiers+for+craft+work I can work comfortably My clip on's I inherited from my late father in law, they are 2.5 times magnification and allow me to stay with Gods own 1/72 scale, I can see why modellers move to larger scales Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 Hey, those clip-on magnifiers are cool! Hi, Ed, I started noticing the same symptoms round about that age. The lenses of the eyes become stiffer and lose their ability to focus. I think the eyeballs are becoming harder like hard-boiled eggs, lol. I do notice I need more light now to see well and can't read fine print anymore without having to squint or don my glasses. If you want to do a quick test of your vision just to see if a trip to the optometrist is warranted, try walking into a local Walgreens and reach for one of those 1.0+ reading glasses and try them out to see if fine print reads better. I do use a magnifying lamp for finer work. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichardL Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 Get an Optivisor, as others have suggested. Mine has been very useful for painting small details. I would highly recommend getting the Quasar LED Lighting System that mounts to the front of the OptiVisor. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
taneal1 Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 On 10/15/2017 at 3:05 PM, Joel_W said: Ed, I'll 2nd what dnl42 recommended, an Optivisor #5. "Donegan DA-5 Optimizer 2.5x magnifier." Is this the name brand product everyone is recommending? Also, does the "#5" stated in the posts refer to Diopters rather than a magnification number? Thanks for any thoughts. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 Donegan Optivisor is the brand. #5 refers to the lens plate part number. I don't know if there's any other meaning to the number. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
taneal1 Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 4 hours ago, dnl42 said: Donegan Optivisor is the brand. #5 refers to the lens plate part number. I don't know if there's any other meaning to the number. Thanks DNL! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scott Smith Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Just got my Optivisor with a #4 lens and the loupe on Saturday. Before that I was using a desk lamp with the magnifier. Problem was, I kept trying to blow off dust through the lens. I don't know how I went so long without one. Oh, and I discovered the 10" focal length is from your eye, not from the surface of the lens. So I'm holding my work about 4"-5" in front of the Optivisor. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chuck1945 Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 An inevitable result of aging is your eyes losing their ability to focus continuously from very close to infinity. I am near sighted and as result, can still focus on close objects. I generally model without my glasses. When I need magnification a pair of 1.5x reading glasses work. Personally I found the extreme;y shallow depth of field and close focus distance to be not practical for me when I tried an Optivisor. You may want to try 1x reading glasses generally available almost anywhere before going for an Optivisor. BTW, I am 3 months shy of 73 and model 1/72 exclusively :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
breadneck Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 I`d say these are worth a closer look. I have a pair myself and they are certainly very high quality and crystal clear. As you will note they are independently adjustable. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Eschenbach-Max-Detail-Magnifying-Loupe-Glasses/202236267411?hash=item2f16388b93:g:02YAAOSwTrFajelC If anything, the biggest downside to this design is that you will have to get close to your subject which makes finetuning your hand/finger movements a bit tricky or awkward as you (your brain) is used to working at an arms length from your two ageing image detectors. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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