@LanceNewmanOCC said:
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an old but useful thread about optics.
i'm still hunting for a zeiss 3x6x9 under $100 and it ain't easy.
there are a couple others mentioned here with links i'd like to try as oppose to the $120+ 3x6x9 but i have not the access to anyone with the loupes i'd like to try mentioned here.
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I bought a gently used one on eBay for $70 a couple of years ago. They don't appear there often but it never hurt to use eBay's search notification feature that sends you an e-mail alert when one appears.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
B&L Dual lens 3x, 4x combined 7x. nice large lens /good eye relief. You can see a whole silver dollar in the individual lenses
3x to look thru show cases when dealer not at his table.
4x to look with when going thru boxes.
7x to get a closer look if I find something.
not manufactured anymore but can be found in some B&M shops still-
around $25.
Separate loupe 10X / Eschenbach 23mm or Belomo 10X for varieties.
B&L Dual lens 3x, 4x combined 7x. nice large lens /good eye relief. You can see a whole silver dollar in the individual lenses
3x to look thru show cases when dealer not at his table.
4x to look with when going thru boxes.
7x to get a closer look if I find something.
not manufactured anymore but can be found in some B&M shops still-
around $25.
AMEN. BEST DARN (and inexpensive) hand lens ever made! You can keep your $$$ trophy lens triplets made of real glass! It's who is behind the "hand lens" anyway. Am I right?
Unfortunately, the B&L original product is no longer made. Only knock-offs. They are still good. I don't think any originals are for sale anywhere. When I learned they were discontinued years ago, I bought almost two dozen from every place I could find that had any left in stock. Most came from earth science supply stores. Sorry, none for sale as they are for special students in my classes. They are so useful, I don't think even $100 could tempt me to sell one. $200, yes, I'm not stupid! Disclaimer: This is not a sales pitch, only a joke.
PS I use 7X all the time. If I need more, I have all the old B&L triplets in several different powers 7X to 20X.
Comments
I bought a gently used one on eBay for $70 a couple of years ago. They don't appear there often but it never hurt to use eBay's search notification feature that sends you an e-mail alert when one appears.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Keep hunting for the Zeiss 3x6x9.... Great loupe and covers all needs.... Cheers, RickO
The B&L 10X Hastings Triplet I just bought seems to work well for me. It's new, and kinda tight when you close and open it, but I like the optics.
I guess I can use it till it falls apart (previous comment).
Pete
B&L Dual lens 3x, 4x combined 7x. nice large lens /good eye relief. You can see a whole silver dollar in the individual lenses
3x to look thru show cases when dealer not at his table.
4x to look with when going thru boxes.
7x to get a closer look if I find something.
not manufactured anymore but can be found in some B&M shops still-
around $25.
Separate loupe 10X / Eschenbach 23mm or Belomo 10X for varieties.
B&L Dual lens 3x, 4x combined 7x. nice large lens /good eye relief. You can see a whole silver dollar in the individual lenses
3x to look thru show cases when dealer not at his table.
4x to look with when going thru boxes.
7x to get a closer look if I find something.
not manufactured anymore but can be found in some B&M shops still-
around $25.
AMEN. BEST DARN (and inexpensive) hand lens ever made! You can keep your $$$ trophy lens triplets made of real glass!
It's who is behind the "hand lens" anyway. Am I right?
Unfortunately, the B&L original product is no longer made. Only knock-offs. They are still good. I don't think any originals are for sale anywhere. When I learned they were discontinued years ago, I
bought almost two dozen from every place I could find that had any left in stock. Most came from earth science supply stores. Sorry, none for sale 
as they are for special students in my classes. They are so useful, I don't think even $100 could tempt me to sell one. $200, yes, I'm not stupid! Disclaimer: This is not a sales pitch, only a joke.
PS I use 7X all the time. If I need more, I have all the old B&L triplets in several different powers 7X to 20X.