10x Jewelers Loupe - Best Value?

Big_Red

Big_Red

Joined
Feb 23, 2009
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I like using some magnification to really see what I'm doing while working on an edge.

First 'loupe' I purchased was at Radio Shack, a set of 3x6x9 or something, for less than $10, they were horrible, promptly returned.

Later I was at Office Depot and picked up a 4x illuminated rectangle magnifier for about $10. It does okay, but I need a bit more zoom.

Searching 10x loupe on web returns many options.

What do you guys find as the best 'value' for your jewelers loupe or other type of magnification for edges? I'd like to keep it well under $50, maybe half the price, but get a decent unit.

Any suggestions?

I'm eyeing a 'Celstron Handheld Bulb Illuminated Magnifier - 10x'... about $25
 
Check out Amazon.com. I got a 30x loupes there for $3.49 and it works very well. There's lots of other great similar deals.
 
I just picked up a couple of these for about $5 each, they are widely available. Just search 10x illuminated magnifier. I also bought a couple of the cheap 30x loupes - I would guess they are actually closer to 20x. The 10x illuminated magnifier is good enough to see a blade edge in very good detail + the light is a nice feature.
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I have a couple of bausch and lomb ones - 10x hastings triplets - I can't imagine better, well I can, but you really have to pay up then

If size isnt a worry Belomor (?) make chunkier ones with excellent optics and very affordable - haven't seen mine for a while - hence not certain of the manufacturers name
 
dealextreme.com used to sell some for 3 or 4 dollars that were decent. They aren't special, but easily worth a few bucks. This one here... :D
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My coworker has a 10x that looks like those generic ones on Amazon. Some of these claim to be triplet loupes, but they really only have a single lens. The 30x ones that are very cheap are straight up BSing about the magnification, from what I can tell. There's a customer picture on one of the Amazon ones showing the cheap 30x loupe versus a 10x, and the magnification is about the same, but the optics on the 30x appear to be worse.

I picked up a 10x and 20x Belomo off Ebay (same guy also sells them on Amazon) and the optics are much better. The 20x is a bit of a PITA to use, as you have to be REALLY close to the object to get it in focus.
 
I just did some research on this very subject last week. The BelOMO 10x is highly, highly recommended. I don't yet have one myself, but I have no doubt it will meet your expectations.
 
TurboScooter said:
My coworker has a 10x that looks like those generic ones on Amazon. Some of these claim to be triplet loupes, but they really only have a single lens. The 30x ones that are very cheap are straight up BSing about the magnification, from what I can tell. There's a customer picture on one of the Amazon ones showing the cheap 30x loupe versus a 10x, and the magnification is about the same, but the optics on the 30x appear to be worse.

I picked up a 10x and 20x Belomo off Ebay (same guy also sells them on Amazon) and the optics are much better. The 20x is a bit of a PITA to use, as you have to be REALLY close to the object to get it in focus.
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There's a member here that took some USB microscope pictures of his S30V edges at 25X using the same kind of stone as I, and the magnification and finish looked almost identical to my results when viewed with the 30X loupe I got.

However, I would tend to agree with you, because the optics do seem kind of odd at times. If you intend to get any high degree of magnification, the edges of the lens get pretty cloudy and only the very center is in very good focus. I haven't used any other 10x lenses to compare though.
 
My first hand lens was a B&L 10x Coddington, when I was a poor college student. Got a 10x and 14x Hastings Triplet when I could afford them. They work very well for what I was using them for, but I've read good things about the Belomo 10x Triplet, too. Google Belomo loupe for plenty more info.
 
I use an 8x Cannon loupe. It's sufficient magnification to see what you need to see, if you know what you are looking for. A higher magnification would certainly add some more detail but you limit your field of view and require a greater light source. Light is as important as your loupe. I use a 100W halogen to illuminate the blade.

I found two items that looked interesting the other day but would like some feedback before making a purchase.

http://haverhills.com/cgi-bin/store...738x723&session=4a8456d25ca2c7e9&L=eng&P=1070

http://haverhills.com/cgi-bin/store...77x6143&session=4a8456d25ca2c7e9&L=eng&P=1062
 
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