Loupe Advice Please!

[Pandora II]

I currently have a x10 triplet Belomo and an all-in-one polariscope/darkfield loupe.

I LOVE the Belomo, but I''d like to get a loupe with integrated LED light. I got to play with my tutor''s last weekend and it was very useful for looking at inclusions in stones in less than ideal lighting conditions (colour is my thing rather than diamonds).

However, optically it wasn''t as good as my Belomo.

I''ve done some research and Belomo don''t appear to make one with an LED.

Is there an optically comparable LED loupe out there that anyone recommends.

Or, if you don''t recommend them can you say why...

Would I be better sticking with mine and buying a separate light source (needs to be vey lightweight and easy to use).

Thanks.

 

[gwendolyn]

I don''t know the answer to any of your questions, but I''m bumping this thread up because

1) you''re fabulous
2) I''m curious to know the answers too

 

[oldminer]

Currently the best optics are not yet found in the gimmicky, but useful LED enhanced loupes that are being offered. Trade members are not going to use loupes like these for diamond grading because they make a lot of reflections and desk lampos are generally convenient for loupe work in most offices.

For field work and possibly for colored gems, the lighted loupes make a good deal of sense. I have toyed around with them, but have not found any that I just had to have. I think the trade might like to have a high quality 10x luope which had a long wave UV led that one could illuminate a diamond with built in UV eye protection. Being able to really examine the clarity of a diamond and immediately make a quick assessment of UV reaction would be a welcome tool in any buying and trading environment. I suppose one could combine a LWUV LED and a white light LED in one package to give a very useful field and buying tool. When I see such a package: Fine optics, LWUV LED, UV Eye protection, and White LED all a folding, small loupe configuration, I am a customer.

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 5/11/2008 7:46:50 AM
Author: oldminer
Currently the best optics are not yet found in the gimmicky, but useful LED enhanced loupes that are being offered. Trade members are not going to use loupes like these for diamond grading because they make a lot of reflections and desk lampos are generally convenient for loupe work in most offices.

For field work and possibly for colored gems, the lighted loupes make a good deal of sense. I have toyed around with them, but have not found any that I just had to have. I think the trade might like to have a high quality 10x luope which had a long wave UV led that one could illuminate a diamond with built in UV eye protection. Being able to really examine the clarity of a diamond and immediately make a quick assessment of UV reaction would be a welcome tool in any buying and trading environment. I suppose one could combine a LWUV LED and a white light LED in one package to give a very useful field and buying tool. When I see such a package: Fine optics, LWUV LED, UV Eye protection, and White LED all a folding, small loupe configuration, I am a customer.

Thanks!

You have got the conundrum in one.

I''m only interested in coloured stones, so it''s for that and field work really - which is why it might make sense. However if I can get a suitable light source that would work in the same way I''d rather stick with mine. I was amazed at the difference when I finally got one with decent optics.

I emailed the guy at The Loupe Shop in the UK. He was helpful and said he didn''t recommend them as the buttons stop working after a while. He said to have a look at a Bausch & Lomb - they make a load of things for opticians.

I was looking at these: http://www.bausch.com/en_US/consumer/visioncare/product/magnifiers/lenscope_mag.aspx

Do you think they would work if you could stick a chelsea filter in as one of the lenses?

I totally agree on the package - that would be amazing. Any loupe manufacturers out there listening, you''ve got 2 customers already!

Just out of interest is there a LWUV/SWUV combo out there that is completely portable?

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 5/11/2008 6:09:32 AM
Author: gwendolyn
I don''t know the answer to any of your questions, but I''m bumping this thread up because

1) you''re fabulous
2) I''m curious to know the answers too

Aww, thanks honey!

 

[whatmeworry]

Just out of interest is there a LWUV/SWUV combo out there that is completely portable?

Raytech makes one that runs on 4 AA batteries. I know there are other manufactures too but the name escapes me at the moment.

 

[surfgirl]

Pandora, I''ve found in looking for "the perfect loupe", that one needs to really check them out in person. I looked at a Nikon that I would have thought had great opticals with a Zeiss lens, but for my eye I didn''t care for it. I''ve got a couple of loupes but none that I really love. I suppose all I''m saying is, in my experience, just because someone else recommends a loupe doesn''t mean your particular eye will like that type. For me it''s a "gotta try it in person" sort of thing...Maybe a weekend trip to Antwerp is needed...

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 5/11/2008 2:03:32 PM
Author: surfgirl
Pandora, I've found in looking for 'the perfect loupe', that one needs to really check them out in person. I looked at a Nikon that I would have thought had great opticals with a Zeiss lens, but for my eye I didn't care for it. I've got a couple of loupes but none that I really love. I suppose all I'm saying is, in my experience, just because someone else recommends a loupe doesn't mean your particular eye will like that type. For me it's a 'gotta try it in person' sort of thing...Maybe a weekend trip to Antwerp is needed...

I have my perfect loupe - I have been through loads before finding this one - but it doesn't have the LED lighting, and all those that do aren't as good as mine optically.

Belomo uses Zeiss lenses as well (they have a collaboration deal)- the factory really makes optical sights for things like grenade launchers (oh, and tractor carburetors...). I did find something on their website 'with illumination' but it turned out to be something for a tank!

I love the weight, the casing feels 'right' (and is black) and the optics are fantastic - all without having to spend crazy prices. I always have it on me as I don't like using the ones that have lying around in shops.

I'm just weighing up whether I want 2 loupes or whether someone out there knew how I can have my cake and eat it!


Weekend trip to Antwerp would be fun, although Euro is not fun right now. I also have no excuse as London has much of what you can get there...

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 5/11/2008 1:58:54 PM
Author: whatmeworry

Just out of interest is there a LWUV/SWUV combo out there that is completely portable?

Raytech makes one that runs on 4 AA batteries. I know there are other manufactures too but the name escapes me at the moment.

Thanks - will check it out.