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Headset Magnifiers
Just curious how many do and don't use a Headset Magnifier for Tying flies?
I swear by mine.....i am suprized what difference they make as an end result in my accuracy from start to finish of each fly.
I Highly recommend em at all times.
Some Tyers tell me they cause headaches and some tyers feel uncompfortable for reasons and not to others.
I am uncompfortable with the Swing arm Lighted ones ....they seem to be in my way....so I stick with the headset.
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jeffro,
In the beginning of my fly tying I tried to use the "swing arm lighted ones" and, like you, found them to be constantly in my way and finally settled on the "Mageyes" headset type and they really do make a difference in the quality of the finished product. I also have the ones that fit on your glasses and they work well too. At the present time, I do not use any type of magnification when tying. This is due to my last eye exam and the eye doctor and I were discussing my addiction to fly tying and fishing. When I got my new glasses I noticed that I did not need the magnification when tying. I called my eye doctor and asked if they had done something different with my new glasses and they told me that they had "bumped" up the bi-focal on my glasses by a small percentage and told me that if that gave me any problems, to let them know. To this day, I have had no problems. I seldom use any addictional magnification, but, will sometimes when tying something very small.
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I've never used a magnifier, just haven't bothered to, did look at some of the desk top swivel styles but never picked one up.
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Don't use one with every size jig or fly I tie, but lots of times I will use mine. I also have one that attaches to my vise, but like you guys it just gets in the way so it's not being used. I prefer the head type for sure.
Skip
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I just buy cheap glasses with 1.5 to 1.75 in magnification.
Works fine for me, I haven't tried a Headset Magnifier so I don't know the difference.
Are they with lights?
My biggest problem now is lack of light.
Thorarinn
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I have a headset type. It had lights, I do not know how well they work, because I took them off. It also had a jewelers little round magnifier that would swing down to use.....which I also removed. Didn't need either. My tying light works just fine and there are 2 flip down magnifiers inside. The first flip down is all aIl I need to tie. But I highly recommend them. I have mis-placed them and miss them terribly. That's why I recommend them. It's like wearing glasses everyday and then can't find them. You KNOW you need them. I just put up a swing magnifier but haven't used it yet. My headstrap magnifiers work beautifully. Theys stay on your head at all times. They do not bother me. I can forget I have them on when walking around the house. But they work great when tying. What I really like is you are tying without them, you need them you just pull them down over the eyes and work away. You need something, you conviently move them up outta the way cause they swivel sorta, and find you bead, needle, whateverr....and to use them again just pull them back down. Always there and soooo easy to utilize. In MY opinion only.....by far the better way to go than glasses flip downs or the swing arm. Just my opinion but I thiink they are the best method to use.
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I have been using a quality headset magnifier for years. It is the same brand that I supplied my technicians doing electronics work and is the standard brand still frequently seen used by doctors and dentists for moderate magnification. The premium brand is Donegan Optical with whom I have no relaionship other than to know that their equipment is optically superior. For one thing they have a great variety of lens plate magnifications from which to choose AND their lenses are optically ground, not simple moulded plastic. They are the best.
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I cant tie anything without mine they're cheapees from a 70's rock polishing tumbling kit and are lite enough they dont bother me unless they pull a hair or get dusty......I found a pair that swivel up but are sorta heavey andseems like I got at harbour frieght for $3.00 but are handy.
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Hi Jeffro,
I got a headset magnifier from Orvis that sounds exactly like the one that Gemrod is describing. It was very unOrvis in price and ran me about $35. I use it regularly when plain reading glasses just don't give me the clarity that I need. Sometimes I don't need that extra magnification but it's nice to have it there when I need it. Being able to see my flies as they progress definitely helps me to tie better flies and to keep them more uniform. BTW Gem, I took the little round magnifier off too. 8T :)
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The one advantage my extreme nearsightedness gives me is the ability to see well up close without magnification, but I do need to get some safety glasses since I saw the video of the guy with the hook in his eye - yuck.