Seeing the Smaller Picture – Magnifiers Shoot-out

RE: Seeing the Smaller Picture – Magnifiers Shoot-out

shabaz — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 22:20:51 GMT

It's been a long time, but added another magnifier to the blog!

RE: Seeing the Smaller Picture – Magnifiers Shoot-out

shabaz — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 18:46:38 GMT

The OptiVISOR has solved most problems for me - I can comfortably solder tiny parts with it. However, I was still on the lookout for a small handheld magnifier for reading part numbers and general inspection, when the OptiVISOR is not convenient, and a microscope or other large optical instrument isn't handy.

I recently tried a Carson 11X MagniFlash and it was definitely not suitable for board inspection, because it needs to be held very close to the surface of the PCB, and connectors and other things would get in the way.

So, I returned it, and tried the 7X MagniFlash today (there is also a 9X version but it was out of stock). The 7X is much better; I can position it about an inch away from the board. Also, the depth of field is really good! I can read part markings on DIP package ICs in sockets, while at the same time reading the board silkscreen. Very surprised at that.

However, everything is not rosy, because although it is advertised as a magnifier, I can't get the stated performance (the manufacturer claims a flat image due to the lens asphericness) without using it as a loupe (i.e. positioning the eye close to the magnifier). It's very strange. If I use it as a magnifier with the eye 30 cm away or more, then I get a clear image, but not edge-to-edge by any stretch. I see a clear image in only the central 33% of the lens. The rest is distorted. However, if I use it as a loupe, then I get a clear edge-to-edge image as shown below. This was taken with my mobile phone, and I cannot keep everything aligned easily. The image looks better than this in real life, but the camera at least captures some of the edge-to-edge flatness and clarity to some degree. In real life, I can easily inspect each solder fillet on the 0.5 mm pitch QFN parts on the board.

Even using it at a distance, the 33% of flatness might be acceptable for some uses, because the lens is quite large anyway (1.5 inch diameter) compared to typical loupes.

There is a built-in LED which is important for me, because some loupes block out a lot of light. There's a second LED at the rear of the magnifier, for using as a torch! It produces a very focussed spot though - about 25 cm diameter if standing 2 metres away. I don't know how useful that is.

Because the magnifier can be held an inch away from the item being inspected, and the eye doesn't need to be that close (1.2 to 2 inches seems optimum if using it as a loupe) it doesn't block out as much light as typical loupes either, so using it without the LED switched on seems fine in normal indoor lighting too, which is great.

I do see the reflection of lights in the room in the lens, which is irritating, but it's not as extreme as some other magnifiers. Those reflections are less of an issue when your head is close to the magnifier.

The MagniFlash comes with a cloth draw-string bag.

In summary, it's not perfect, but has a fair amount going for it, at an OK-ish price (I think it's a bit overpriced, but everything is expensive nowadays - £32 in the UK). I'd rate it 7/10 : )

RE: Seeing the Smaller Picture – Magnifiers Shoot-out

mp2100 — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 16:24:22 GMT

Whoa, there's a Shabaz channel on youtube? I'm going there to subscribe now!

RE: Seeing the Smaller Picture – Magnifiers Shoot-out

beacon_dave — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 15:29:37 GMT

I have been after a new magnifier for a while and after reading this, I got hold of the Carson CrystalView 2.5x magnifier. First impressions are that its main 2.5x lens is quite impressive for the money.

As for other magnifiers, I use a Visible Dust 'Sensor loupe 7x' which is an older version of the 'Quaser Sensor Loupe 7x' as shown here:

visibledust.com/technology.php

I find the loupe a lot easier to use than the 5x spot feature of the Carson though e.g. when looking at the likes of 'small print' on ICs.

RE: Seeing the Smaller Picture – Magnifiers Shoot-out

rsjawale24 — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 08:35:47 GMT

I have about 5 units of coilcraft magnifiers. They are the only ones I'm using. I was planning to buy a USB microscope but not sure about it's picture quality.

RE: Seeing the Smaller Picture – Magnifiers Shoot-out

wolfgangfriedrich — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 00:24:55 GMT

My favourite magnifiers (besides the Mantis microscope at work) at clip-on lenses on my glasses. I saw at jeweler wearing them at our local farmers market.

They only do about 2.5x but that is sufficient to solder 0603 component comfortably, especially as they have about 30cm ( 12inches ) of focal length and a very wide and even optical field of view. That leaves enough space to operate the soldering stick. I have bi-focal lenses in my glasses and I place the extra lenses over the upper part of the glasses, so I can still read text like paper or computer screen through the reading part of the glasses. And they are light enough to not put a lot of weight on the frame and nose pads.

This is how they look like:

[View:/resized-image/__size/620x465/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-337d669f-7f27-479a-b9f5-c2c4c3511956/6253.contentimage_5F00_217135.png:620:465]

[View:/resized-image/__size/620x465/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-337d669f-7f27-479a-b9f5-c2c4c3511956/4174.contentimage_5F00_217136.png:620:465]

And a view of a board with(Left) and without (right) the lens. Small parts are 0603.

[View:/resized-image/__size/620x548/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-337d669f-7f27-479a-b9f5-c2c4c3511956/3010.contentimage_5F00_217137.png:620:548]

Good topic,

- W.

RE: Seeing the Smaller Picture – Magnifiers Shoot-out

genebren — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 16:37:28 GMT

Excellent comparison of magnifiers. I too have quite a collection of handheld magnifiers, but most them are less than useful. My go to magnifier, for taking a quick peak at electronics is the TRIPLET 10x/20x dual loupe magnifier. I have used this gem for years. Sure, I would like illumination, but for quick and simple clear image, this one is hard to beat.

[View:/resized-image/__size/276x267/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-337d669f-7f27-479a-b9f5-c2c4c3511956/2845.contentimage_5F00_217134.png:276:267]

For assembly work, I still prefer the versatility of my Nikon Stereo Zoom Microscope. I am intrigued with OptiVISOR head mount magnifier, but still leery based on past experience with a similar product with low quality flip up lenses.

Thanks for sharing!