Post your coin viewing tool...

InternetJunky · April 24, 2011 11:54PM

Along with a picture (if possible) of its capabilities. Personally I use a Bausch & Lomb 5x to 20x Folding Pocket Magnifier.

Linky

What do you use for viewing your coins? Dino-Lite, Bausch & Lomb,....etc?

llafoe · April 24, 2011 11:56PM

InternetJunky · April 25, 2011 12:00AM

Verrrryyy funny llafoe

What did you use to take that picture? Or was it a google search?

llafoe · April 25, 2011 12:01AM

<< Verrrryyy funny llafoe

What did you use to take that picture? Or was it a google search? >>

Everything I do is a google search... I have NO original material!

InternetJunky · April 25, 2011 12:10AM

Niiiccee

My main goal is just to see what members here use, and what works the best. I'm on strike 2 of making a mistake purchase to view coins for RPMS & DD's, etc. The first was the loupe pictured, which doesn't magnify enough to view really close. The second was buying an old Dino-Lite model which you couldn't turn the lights off, so the coins just reflected the light making it near impossible to get good images and made almost every coin look like it had machine doubling, some form of actual doubling, or some RPM due to the shadows from too much light (which obviously isn't possible). I ended up breaking the lights out of frustration but now, well, it's too dark

MrHalfDime · April 25, 2011 12:14AM

In addition to various loupes, such as the Zeiss 3x6 and the Hastings Triplet, I use the Bausch & Lomb Stereo Zoom 4 microscope, which is invaluable in die marriage and die state attribution, especially for the little half dimes.

llafoe · April 25, 2011 12:17AM

This is THE tool... great at home and even better if you carry your notepad with you to coin shows/shops...

Lighthouse USB Digital Microscope, 20x - 200x magnigication, 2.0 megapixel

OzzyAndy · April 25, 2011 12:18AM

Linky
Does me fine however I only really use it to look at small mintmarks. Havn't had a problem with quality and for $2.28 delivered is hard to go wrong.

mingot · April 25, 2011 12:24AM

I use one of these and a 10x B&L hastings triplet.

cheezhed · April 25, 2011 12:25AM

BelOMO 10x Triplet Loupe Magnifier

Unsurpassed quality for the price.

llafoe · April 25, 2011 12:26AM

<< BelOMO 10x Triplet Loupe Magnifier

Unsurpassed quality for the price.

>>

... and it comes in handy if you want to view severed fingers!

epcjimi1 · April 25, 2011 12:41AM

Hands free Optiview w/loupe guarantees nerd status when viewing my coins at home or at a show.

cmerlo1 · April 25, 2011 1:01AM

Eschenbach 12x

CoinCoins · April 25, 2011 1:11AM

<< This is THE tool... great at home and even better if you carry your notepad with you to coin shows/shops...

Lighthouse USB Digital Microscope, 20x - 200x magnigication, 2.0 megapixel

>>

ahhhhhh... look at that... i've gotta get one

AND it takes pics...... i'm getting one today

thanks

messydesk · April 25, 2011 1:15AM

If the Leuchtturm-branded DinoLite makes stamps look like Krugerrands, I don't think it would be the best thing to buy.

InternetJunky · April 25, 2011 1:17AM

<< If the Leuchtturm-branded DinoLite makes stamps look like Krugerrands, I don't think it would be the best thing to buy. >>

LanLord · April 25, 2011 1:40AM

Anyone know if this thing has drivers for a MacBook Air? Or an iPad?

<< This is THE tool... great at home and even better if you carry your notepad with you to coin shows/shops...

Lighthouse USB Digital Microscope, 20x - 200x magnigication, 2.0 megapixel

>>

llafoe · April 25, 2011 1:45AM

<< If the Leuchtturm-branded DinoLite makes stamps look like Krugerrands, I don't think it would be the best thing to buy. >>

It has the Midas touch!

keyman64 · April 25, 2011 2:20AM

<< This is THE tool... great at home and even better if you carry your notepad with you to coin shows/shops...

Lighthouse USB Digital Microscope, 20x - 200x magnigication, 2.0 megapixel
>>

Larry, can you show a large jpeg of a mint mark that you have shot with that thing? I know you have posted stuff before in other threads, just can't remember which ones though.

DIMEMAN · April 25, 2011 2:29AM

I carry 2 "tools" at shows. A 3X for general viewing and a 16X for variety checking.

keyman64 · April 25, 2011 2:37AM

I carry a 10x and 20x but sometimes the 20x just isn't enough for me. Might go buy a 30x so I don't have to kill my eyeballs looking at tiny varieties on tiny coins. My eyes get tired.

Sometimes my little friend has to hold my eyes open when they get tired.

InternetJunky · April 25, 2011 9:13AM

<< 

<< This is THE tool... great at home and even better if you carry your notepad with you to coin shows/shops...

Lighthouse USB Digital Microscope, 20x - 200x magnigication, 2.0 megapixel
>>

Larry, can you show a large jpeg of a mint mark that you have shot with that thing? I know you have posted stuff before in other threads, just can't remember which ones though. >>

Yea if you can that would be great. That particular piece is in my price range and am curious as to its capabilities.

keyman64 · April 25, 2011 9:16AM

<< 

<< 

<< This is THE tool... great at home and even better if you carry your notepad with you to coin shows/shops...

Lighthouse USB Digital Microscope, 20x - 200x magnigication, 2.0 megapixel
>>

Larry, can you show a large jpeg of a mint mark that you have shot with that thing? I know you have posted stuff before in other threads, just can't remember which ones though. >>

Yea if you can that would be great. That particular piece is in my price range and am curious as to its capabilities. >>

Larry told me he does not have one but said that others here do and have posted images from it...gotta do a search for the word Lighthouse maybe to mind it. I will do it later and see what I can find here from old posts.

llafoe · April 25, 2011 9:21AM

Stefanie posted some images in this thread...

InternetJunky · April 25, 2011 9:28AM

<< Stefanie posted some images in this thread... >>

She has a Dino-Lite, not the Lighthouse brand that is in the link in this thread.

llafoe · April 25, 2011 9:29AM

<< 

<< Stefanie posted some images in this thread... >>

She has a Dino-Lite, not the Lighthouse brand that is in the link in this thread. >>

I think the Lighthouse model is manufactured by Dino-lite?

LotsoLuck · April 25, 2011 9:30AM

InternetJunky · April 25, 2011 9:32AM

<< 

<< 

<< Stefanie posted some images in this thread... >>

She has a Dino-Lite, not the Lighthouse brand that is in the link in this thread. >>

I think the Lighthouse model is manufactured by Dino-lite? >>

If that was the case I don't see it listed on the Dino-Lite website but it is listed on http://www.lighthouse.us/epages/lighthouse.sf/en_US/?ObjectPath=/Shops/leuchtturm_us/Products/DM1

thisnamztaken · April 25, 2011 9:46AM

llafoe · April 25, 2011 9:54AM

<<

>>

We're talking about coins, not geocaching!

Staircoins · April 25, 2011 10:10AM

Can be a bit cumbersome to carry to shows, but I find that the extra effort is warranted.

MikeInFL · April 25, 2011 10:21AM

crazyhounddog · April 25, 2011 10:32AM

<<

>>

You beat me to the punch. In a way I'm glad as the flash would have hurt a bit...

The true be told, I like my camera as the best tool of all. And that's the way it is....Joe

llafoe · April 25, 2011 10:38AM

<<

>>

Is someone trying to overcompensate for something...

bsshog40 · April 25, 2011 10:47AM

coinsarefun · April 25, 2011 11:00AM

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< Stefanie posted some images in this thread... >>

She has a Dino-Lite, not the Lighthouse brand that is in the link in this thread. >>

I think the Lighthouse model is manufactured by Dino-lite? >>

If that was the case I don't see it listed on the Dino-Lite website but it is listed on http://www.lighthouse.us/epages/lighthouse.sf/en_US/?ObjectPath=/Shops/leuchtturm_us/Products/DM1 >>

I think that the other company came out after the Dino-Lite broke into the coin biz.
Both may have been around but I never saw Lighthouse before.
I think Dino-Lite is an Asian company whereas the Lighthouse appears to be European.

IMO I think either are fine. the technicals are very similar.
But neither are good for imaging the entire coin, a camera will always be the best.
I use it for VAM's and mint marks and other small detailed things.

I also must say that my Dino-Lite that I have had now for a few years has worked very well and they
update the software often, giving you more control of the unit.

ArizonaJack · April 25, 2011 11:45AM

My lanyard had both a 10X and a 20X B&L Hastings Triplet

canadanz · April 25, 2011 11:50AM

thisnamztaken · April 25, 2011 1:18PM

<< 
We're talking about coins, not geocaching!

>>

Hey Larsen, I've never even heard of geocaching before. After watching a couple of you tube videos about it I still don't know much about it!

I don't think I'd open up any of those germ-infested, geocached containers, that they showed lying out in the boonies though, unless they'd promised that there would be a $10.00 gold piece inside. Even then, I'd probably take Chumlee along to open it first.

AuroraBorealis · April 25, 2011 1:37PM

I use just a plain old hand held magnifying glass...Then after the initial blinding and my eyes get used to the luster

i graduate to my 12X that i used to use for 35mm neg. film...

I know i know! One of these days i would love one of those cool digital scopes...Thanks for posting that one llafoe...

AB

derryb · April 25, 2011 1:48PM

Rob85635 · April 25, 2011 1:49PM

Does anyone know of a good usb microscope that has a focal length that allows taking a complete picture of a morgan but also allows 30x or more close ups for varieties?

rmpsrpms · April 26, 2011 2:26PM

Bausch & Lomb ST-2 with 15X ultra widefield eyepieces. Unmatched setup for variety attributions.

razzle · April 27, 2011 7:17AM

This is what I prefer to use. Made by the Optikon company of Germany. I bought them at a yard sale about 5 years ago, no info about power available. It's a little cumbersome because I have to switch to regular eyeglasses intermittently but the images are much superior to my 10X ATCO loupe.

This is all I can find on the internet:

<< Vintage OPTIKON Germany Telescope Surgical Glasses Sold For: or Sign In to see Price Data. Sold Date:08/07/2008 Channel

nline Auction Source: eBay Category:Tools Vintage OPTIKON Germany Telescope Magnify Surgical Glasses From a local estate, is a pair of vintage/antique telescoping or magnifying glasses, possibly used for surgery, in their original fitted case. I have no idea exactly what they were used for, but certainly an interesting item! Unfortunately, the earpieces have been broken off - otherwise they seem to be in good condition. The lenses are intact and move/turn freely. Nose pieces are also intact. T is also some paint chipping on the eyepieces. The box is dark blue and interior is deep blue velvet in very nice condition. Marked Optikon, Hamburg, Made in Germany FM. Mendelson >>

I would love to hear from someone who might know more about them.

CoinCoins · May 1, 2011 12:44AM

<< 

<< This is THE tool... great at home and even better if you carry your notepad with you to coin shows/shops...

Lighthouse USB Digital Microscope, 20x - 200x magnigication, 2.0 megapixel

>>

ahhhhhh... look at that... i've gotta get one

AND it takes pics...... i'm getting one today

thanks >>

i got it on friday....... i think i'm in love

thanks for the tip

DEFINITELY worth the $150

Post your coin viewing tool...

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