Magnifiers

When choosing a Magnifier there are some very important considerations that should be taken into account. First, what do you intend to use the Magnifying glass for? If you intend to use it when studying the overall detail of a coin for grading purposes, it is best to use a lower power Magnifier that covers a larger area of view. A Magnifier of 2x to 5x would be sufficient for this type of work. For real close scrutinizing like checking Mint marks to be certain they are authentic or perhaps checking minuscule detail when looking for overdate's or varieties calls for a stronger power glass with a smaller field of view. A 10x or 20x Magnifier works well when doing extremely close-up observations.

Other important factors to be considered are if you intend to use the Magnifier on your desk or carried in your pocket when away from home. For the more advanced collector or the connoisseur there are also higher priced Magnifiers that have lenses that are far superior in quality than the lower priced inexpensive ones. So, when choosing a Magnifier it becomes a matter of preference as well as purpose.

A good rule of thumb to follow when choosing a magnifier is that the smaller the lens is in size the smaller the area of view you will have and the closer to the eye the magnifier must be held for focusing. Small lens Magnifiers are designed for very strong magnification. Whereas, Magnifiers with larger lenses like 1-1/2" or greater are generally designed to only magnify an object from about one and a half to possibly four times of its actual size. Larger lens Magnifiers are held about midway between the eye and the object to which you are focusing on.

We recommend that you have several different glasses to aid you in the wide range of all your magnification and hobby needs. Whatever your preference is in Magnifiers we’re sure we have a glass that will fit your own personal needs exactly!

Here are some definitions for some of the more commonly used words or terms which are used to describe a magnifier that may be extremely helpful to you when choosing your magnifier.

Achromatic Lens: A lens that will refract light without spectral color separation or distortion.

This color correcting and distortion free feature is only available on some of the more higher priced Magnifiers. Once you start using a magnifier with an achromatic lens you'll never want to go back to those lower priced magnifiers again!

Bifocal Segment: A magnifier with a bifocal segment will have two focal lengths and the bifocal segment will be of greater magnification power than the lens of the magnifier.

This is a traffic feature in a magnifier when added magnification is needed for closer examination. Magnifiers with a bifocal segment can be found in both the lower and midrange priced "reading type" Magnifiers.

Doublet Lens: Two lenses within the same magnifier to produce the rated magnification power of the magnifier.

The doublet lens feature can be found in the higher power Magnifiers in both the midrange as well as the higher priced Magnifiers.

Power: A measure of the magnification of an optical instrument, such as a magnifier, microscope or telescope. The power ratings are generally expressed with a number followed by an "x" such as, 2x, 4x, 10x etc. The higher the number before the "x" the greater the magnification properties of the magnifier will be.

Triplet Lens: Three lenses within the same magnifier to produce the rated magnification power of the magnifier.

The triplet lens feature can be found in some of the higher priced Magnifiers.