Magnifying glasses are boundlessly convenient for anything from examining our coin collections to getting an up close and personal look at a do-it-yourself re-wiring project we’ve undertaken, but a problem often arises when holding the glass up with one hand limits our dexterity – imagine soldering wires one-handedly and you’ll get what we mean. Enter magnifying headsets – reminiscent of surgical headlights, these visors give us the magnified focus we need to see exactly what we’re doing when undertaking some intricate needlework or inspecting the anatomy of a busted electronic appliance, leaving both our hands completely free to work with in the process. Versatile in use and a must-have in your toolkit, whether you’re a hobbyist, a professional needing a high degree of precision in your work or experiencing visual impairment that a bit of hands-off magnification can help with, here are our picks for the best magnifying headbands.
Enter magnifying headsets – reminiscent of surgical headlights, these visors give us the magnified focus we need to see exactly what we’re doing when undertaking some intricate needlework or inspecting the anatomy of a busted electronic appliance, leaving both our hands completely free to work with in the process. Versatile in use and a must-have in your toolkit, whether you’re a hobbyist, a professional needing a high degree of precision in your work or experiencing visual impairment that a bit of hands-off magnification can help with, here are our picks for the best magnifying headbands.
KEN’S PICK
Donegan Optical DA-2 OptiVISOR Headband Magnifier
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[amazon link=”B0068OSIIS” title=”View on Amazon”]
Available in different magnification levels and focal lengths, including the standard magnification level of 1.5x and a focal length of about 20 inches, this unit has options available up to magnification level 3.5x and a focal length of 4 inches (sold separately). Lenses are mounted in an interchangeable plastic frame, so you can switch out lenses for different purposes depending on the level of magnification you need – e.g. 1.5x for reading and 3.5x for activities requiring a closer attention to detail, like coin grading.
This user-friendly magnifier can be worn over glasses comfortably, with a tip-back feature that lets you tilt it up over your forehead when you’re not using it. The high quality, prismatic glass lenses make for a highly durable and effective magnifier, with crisp and clear images and no likelihood of image distortion as you zoom in on elements and activities otherwise difficult or inefficient to perceive with the naked eye.
The headband is customizable, with a size adjustment knob to let you fit it snugly and comfortably around different head sizes and shapes, the padded leather and orthopaedic felt lining of the headband ensuring you don’t chafe your skin or hurt yourself when wearing the visor and letting you keep it on for prolonged periods of continuous use without experiencing any excessive discomfort. Weighing about 0.67 pounds, the visor is tough, durable and wear-resistant, likely to withstand many tough jobs with stoic ease. Though it does lack some features that would bump the unit up all the way to perfection – for instance an in-built headlight, and a readily-usable set of lenses included with the unit rather than separately sold – the rugged quality, effectiveness and above all longevity of this glass lensed visor is undeniable, as its immense popularity amongst users illustrates.
KEN’S BUDGET PICK
Glam Hobby h6902B Head Mount Magnifier
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[amazon link=”B01LMC9Y56″ title=”View on Amazon”]
If there’s one feature our top pick lost a point or two for, it would be the lack of inclusion of a light source, but our budget pick makes up for this by featuring two bright LED bulbs as a headlight to let you illuminate what you’re working on for maximum attention to detail and precision, the light angle adjustable to 45 degrees. Be it for watch repair, painting, coin grading, jewelry making or simple reading, the versatile range of lenses usable with this headset gives you magnification anywhere between 1x and 3.5x, the full set available in a storage case for you to keep them safely in when not in use. The scratch-resistant acrylic is distortion-free, a more lightweight replacement for glass but nonetheless a more durable and effective substitute for plastic. The magnifier – designed to be worn like glasses – has a comfortable frame and rubber nose-pads, though the frame arms can be switched out for a headband for a more stable and comfy fit if you’re going to have them on for some time, especially while working on something that’ll keep you from repeatedly fixing your glasses back on. Considering the mindbogglingly reasonable price, we’re getting quite the bang for our buck with this budget pick.
RUNNER-UP
Yoctosun Head Mount Magnifier
[amazon fields= “B01H8808H6″ value=”thumb” image_link=”none” image_size=”large”]
[amazon link=”B01H8808H6″ title=”View on Amazon”]
Another versatile unit with interchangeable lenses ranging from magnification between 1x and 3.5x, this set comes with a storage case included to safely keep them in when not in use. Like our previous entry, this magnifier can also be worn in the same manner as glasses, with a comfortable and lightweight frame, the arms replaceable with a headband for better security and long-term use. Fitted with a headlight made up of two LED bulbs, the unit is powered by three Triple-A batteries, with the angle of the light vertically adjustable so you can focus it directly where you need it as you work. Thanks to the acrylic lenses, the headset is lightweight and not cumbersome to have on for extended periods of time, especially when you need your hands free for activities requiring high degrees of precision, like miniature painting. It’s also portable and practical to carry, especially if you’re using it for work you undertake in different locations, like repair jobs.
RUNNER-UP
Carson Optical Pro Series MagniVisor
[amazon fields= “B007CDJKM2″ value=”thumb” image_link=”none” image_size=”large”]
[amazon link=”B007CDJKM2″ title=”View on Amazon”]
With a set of four acrylic lenses, ranging from magnification levels of 1.5x to 3x and coming with their own storage case and microfiber cleaning cloth, the LED headlight option of this unit also has the clever feature of being detachable, with a magnetized base letting it adhere to a metallic surface and illuminate the object or objects you’re working on more closely without requiring you to move your head in too close, handy if, for instance, there’s a safety hazard involved in too much proximity. While attached, the headlight, with three LED bulbs for optimal brightness, can be shifted about 30 degrees to either side, and 90 degrees up and down, powered by 3 Triple-A batteries.
Lighter thanks to the acrylic lenses, the unit is also ergonomically designed for wearing, with an adjustable headband customizable to different head sizes and shapes to secure the unit into place, and a quick release button to let you quickly and easily slip it off.
SOURCES
- Donegan Optical Company Inc.: http://www.doneganoptical.com/
- Yoctosun:
- Carson: http://carson.com/
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnifying_glass