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 Replies: 21 / Views: 5,288 |
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Valued Member
United States
438 Posts |
As a geologist, I have always used a Bausch and Lomb 10x Triplet Loupe for looking at minerals in rocks, to help identify them. I do not have it at home right now, but am wondering what loupe everyone here prefers for their coins? This is the one I use http://www.ottofrei.com/store/produ...oductid=6980Anyone else use this model? Or can you post a link and a review of the one you use? Thanks! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19937 Posts |
The B&L is excellent. I use a cheap 10x one mostly for close-up work, it's an off-brand and it's "good enough". I hardly ever use it. I recommend only using a regular 4x or 8x magnifier for coins. Going any higher is only needed to checking varieties and such. High mag (or any mag for that matter) should NEVER be used to grade a coin.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
745 Posts |
I got a 'PEAK' 15x LUPE off ebay...LOVE IT & great for checking varieties, MRSP is about $80, but this guy was selling for $20 about 18 months ago. Has Japan Glass which is very good for optics. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
You cannot go wrong with that B&L loupe!  My favorite is the Peak 8X (upper right). Made for viewing slides, it's easiest on my eyes when flipped over. I bring the small Hamilton Bell 10X jeweler's loupe to shows; the large magnifier is for scanning groups of coins.  Edited by DVCollector
08/24/2011 9:51 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
745 Posts |
'PEAK' have BIG eye holes compared to those little glass holes on others
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
I have a 20x B&L loupe, with a tiny depth of field. Almost useless on coins, but the ants pants for exploring internal flaws in cut gemstones, for which emeralds are notorius. Rarely, I will use this for coins, looking for small surface imperfections on them.
I also have a cloth gauge with a triplet 10x, 25mm dia. lens. This is the ants pants for coins. Huge depth of field, and therefore very useful.
I am a bit short sighted. If I am just reviewing my albums, I wear 4 diopter (250mm focal length) glasses. In this case, they sit on the tip of my nose, and I look a bit Scrooge Mc Duck, (minus beak)!
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Valued Member
United States
417 Posts |
I use a 10x and 16x B & L
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
Here's my Two Cents. For general coin viewing the one you have now is very good,10x Hastings triplet.For viewing errors and varieties I recommend a 12x or 14x. I have tried the 15x and a few even higher and don't like them.I now use a 14x no brand doublet that I really like and it cost less then $10.I used a 10x Anco doublet for around 20 years and then my eyes got worse with age that's why I went to a 14x. John1  |
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Moderator
United States
188052 Posts |
For years the 2x lens on my B&L 2x/6x folding magnifier has been all I have needed. However, as I have gotten older, I find myself using the 6x lens a lot more. I agree with BadThad, high magnification is only if you are into varieties (I am not).
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
The B&L is excellent. I use a cheap 10x one mostly for close-up work, it's an off-brand and it's "good enough". Same with me. Although I have about 20 or more magnifiers of all varieties and sizes. Going to lots of flea markets I usually can pick up any for $1. If they magnify, I don't care about brand names. Probably ALL made in one factory somewhere anyway. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Buy the best that you can afford, getting cheap optics is a sure way to damage your eyesight over time.
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
Can't hardly beat a Hastings 10x triplet.
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Valued Member
United States
304 Posts |
Quote:
In this case, they sit on the tip of my nose, and I look a bit Scrooge Mc Duck, (minus beak)! You don't strap a plastic beak on and dive into your coins? |
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Valued Member
United States
337 Posts |
I want to revive this topic since it is over a year old. What does everyone use now to look at their coins closely? Is a 10x magnifier still the best/most common to use? I see some nice looking 30x on Amazon but it sounds like too much magnification may be too much for coin use. Thoughts, experiences, and suggestions are appreciated! |
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
I use a 30x one when roll searching pennies. Saves the eyes reading dates and mm
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Moderator
United States
188052 Posts |
I used to think that anything over a 5x was overkill for most collectors (10x if you are into varieties).
However, as I get older, I am having to rethink that position. For me, the extra magnification helps prevent eye fatigue.
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Replies: 21 / Views: 5,288 |
Posted 08/24/2011 9:00 pm
