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Optical Fashions is proud to offer a variety of hand held magnifiers from
renowned optical manufacturer Eschenbach. Eschenbach has pioneered new
manufacturing techniques that allow their magnifiers to be light weight, have
larger visual fields, and color corrected optics... all with superior scratch
resistance and in a variety of shapes.
Eschenbach magnifiers can offer illuminated magnification for tasks such as
looking up phone numbers, or for the hobbyist needs. Eschenbach magnifiers will offer
you all the superior optics you want, at an affordable price.
All magnifiers are not the same. They vary based on their power, lens type, and
design purpose. Magnifiers can be optical or video-based. Optical magnifiers
include hand-held magnifiers, stand magnifiers, spectacles and telescopic
devices. Video magnifiers typically employ camcorder-like cameras. Some video
magnifiers are hand-held, while others may look like a computer, and still
others are head-mounted. Each type of magnifier is designed to offer different
benefits and distinct applications.
Power
The power of a magnifier can be measured several ways. The most
common, "times magnification" or "power", refers to how many times bigger an
object will appear when viewed through the device as compared to when viewed
with the naked eye. The "X" notation on many magnifiers gives the manufacturer's
representation as to the power provided by a given device.
Diopter
A "diopter" is another term that refers to the magnifying
power of a device. A diopter is a metric measurement of the lens power. This is
a unit of measure that your eye doctor uses when prescribing eyeglasses or
contact lenses. The power of hand-held, stand and magnifying spectacles can be
measured or represented in diopters or "times magnification". [While 'X' power
measurements vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, diopters do NOT
vary.]
Hand-held, stand and magnifying spectacles are available in power ranges from 1x
to 10x. Video magnifiers can provide from 5x to as much as 60x
magnification.
Be careful though! Stronger does not mean better! There is a "right" power for
each individual and the task they wish to accomplish. This is a process that
your Low Vision Specialist is uniquely qualified to determine.
Design types
Various magnifying device designs exist for different purposes. The most common
categories are as follows: |
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Hand Held Magnifiers
Designed for short-term spotting tasks of near objects such as reading menus,
price tags and pill bottles. These helpful devices are very portable, versatile
and economical, and are available with and without light sources. |
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Stand Magnifiers
Designed for extended viewing tasks of near objects such as reading books,
magazines or newspapers. Stand magnifiers rest directly on the object and are
available with and without illumination. |
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Magnifying Spectacles
Designed for hands-free viewing of near objects for an extended period of time,
such as reading, especially in bed.. |
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Telescopic Devices
Primarily designed to magnify distant objects. These devices can be hand-held
for short-term spotting, or worn as eyewear for extended periods of viewing such
as watching television. |
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Video Magnifiers
Provide the highest levels of magnification and help to enhance the contrast of
objects being viewed. These devices can be hand-held, headmounted, or in a desktop design. |
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Multiple designs exist to help low vision sufferers accomplish multiple types of tasks.
Low vision devices, and magnifiers in particular, can be thought of as tools that the low
vision individual keeps in their toolbox, just as a carpenter would. |
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