Who has owned BOTH Eschenbach and Zeiss loupes and which one do you prefer and why?

MajorDuty · June 25, 2008 3:12AM

To compliment the many threads current and past I thought I'd ask this question as there are plenty of people who prefer this brand or that brand but I wonder how many have tried various loupes and what they have settled upon and why. Specifically, the the two in the title.

RWB · June 25, 2008 3:18AM

Old Zeiss (dates from the early 1960s when humans designed optics).

RYK · June 25, 2008 3:19AM

Good question! I would also like to know the answer. (I own the Zeiss)

lcoopie · June 25, 2008 3:21AM

I have both
they say the eschenbach is better

the zeiss is less costly

each one is 100x better than my normal vision for close objects

even the much cheaper B&L plastic 5x is very good

hope this helps

ricko · June 25, 2008 3:25AM

My evaluation is the Zeiss over the Eschenbach.... I have used both. The Zeiss/Eschenbach clarity is equal.. however, the Zeiss gives a larger, distortion free field of view. Cheers, RickO

MikeInFL · June 25, 2008 3:39AM

I don't think you'll be unhappy with either. The Zeiss has a slightly larger field of view. The Eschenbach is a bit easier to handle and has a handy hole to attach a chain and wear around your neck (although you can do the same with the Zeiss you need to be a bit more creative). Of the two, I prefer the Eschenbach, and have since sold the Zeiss.

charley · June 25, 2008 3:45AM

Zeiss. It has the added benefit of being easier to pronounce, without sounding like a secret bavarian curse. Respectfully, John Curlis

jdillane · June 25, 2008 5:23AM

I have an Eschenbach. It is nice but has an odor, something akin to motor oil. The odor has dissipated somewhat over the past 3 yrs but I am reminded of it each time I use the loupe.

A wider field would be nice....gotta try a Zeiss one of these days....

Edited to add: It's a 3x-6x-9x

291fifth · June 25, 2008 5:55AM

It's hard to beat the 5x Eschenbach for grading. Mine was purchased from Superior back in the early 1990's. Superior has since changed ownership and I don't know if they sell them anymore.

Cameonut · June 25, 2008 7:45AM

I have owned the Zeiss D36 and the Eschenbach Acromat 3 + 6 for years.

I cannot distinguish a difference in the optics in normal use - both have excellent field of view and are very sharp. They make finding hairlines on proofs a snap. Both sit on my desk and I use them everyday.

As far as which one I would buy if I could only have one. I would buy the Eschenbach for two reasons. 1) it has an easy way to attach a lanyard so you won't lose your investment at shows and 2) it just feels better in my fingers.

Both are outstanding loupes. I put my old Coddingtons and Hastings triplets away and don't miss them one bit.

oreville · June 25, 2008 7:51AM

Eschenbach.

The Zeiss is quite good too but I seem to like the way the Eschenbach handles better.

Quite odd, the odor on the Eschenbach! I thought I was the only one that noticed it when I first bought it 10 years ago! LOL.

mrearlygold · June 25, 2008 8:03AM

Eschenbach . The Illuminated ones are great great.

No. 9835-FL ( the larger one, is 5X )

No. 9835SPL ( the smaller one is 10X )

291fifth · June 25, 2008 8:04AM

The 5x Eschenbach has an all metal frame and protective cover. There is no odor. Are some other models made of plastic?

jdimmick · June 25, 2008 8:10AM

I hav e owned both but prefer and kept the eschenbach. For many years I was too cheap to spend the 130 bucks to get one, and when I got sereious, I finally broke down an bought one at an ANA show a few years back, and it was the best $ ever spent.

jim

quickwing · June 25, 2008 8:25AM

My "new" friend in Pensacola sells the Eschenbach for a very good price. Shameless plug for Bob I know, but he would appreciate any new account.

All American Coin & Jewelry Home Page (with the Eschenbach featured)

PerryHall · June 25, 2008 8:35AM

Northern Nevada Coin (brokencc.com) sells the Zeiss for a good price if you're interested in this model.

mrearlygold · June 25, 2008 8:43AM

Since we're plugging for sales I'll shamelessly plug my Wifes business Rare Coin Books on the page that lists some of the magnifiers

ESCHENBACH AT RARECOINBOOKS.COM

JRocco · June 25, 2008 8:48AM

Have both. I like and use the Eschenbach 3+6=9 Achromat more.

BECOKA · June 25, 2008 8:57AM

Never tried either, I'm happy with my $5 no name version I got at some coin show.

ArizonaJack · June 25, 2008 1:46PM

Never tried either. Happy with my B&L hastings set. Now how do they compare to the B&L's for 3X the $$$ ???

Cameonut · June 25, 2008 8:25PM

<< <i>Now how do they compare to the B&L's for 3X the $$$ ??? >>

For me there was no comparison. The day I bought the Zeiss (I bought the Eschenbach a year or so later) the B&L's went in the drawer and have never been used since. Are they worth 3x the money? I think it depends on how much you use a loupe. I look at lots of coins at shows and the top notch loupes help me do that by giving a clear wide field of view so I can scan coins quickly. If you only use a loupe occasionally, then about anything will work.

I view the expense of a loupe as an investment in a top quality tool. The tool enables me to enjoy the hobby more and avoid overpaying for some raw coins because I can see the defects much quicker.

Who has owned BOTH Eschenbach and Zeiss loupes and which one do you prefer and why?

Comments

Leave a Comment