Electronics and eyesight

[gmsmj]

Hey everyone,

Sorry if this has been answered. I had an eye injury a few years ago -- detached retina and a cataract (I was only 41 at the time!) -- and I'm really nearsighted. With the cataract surgery I have one eye that's close to normal now, and the other is still really nearsighted. I wear contacts for normal vision, and I've had to use reading glasses for reading and close up stuff . When I've put pedals together in the past, I have been able to use a magnifying glass and light with no problem, but as I've gotten older it's getting harder to see the small stuff. Does anyone have any recommendations for aids or strategies to help with seeing the components I'm soldering?

Thanks!

Matt

 

[Feral Feline]

Magnifying goggles
Magnifying camera/monitor

And whatever you use/do …
LOTSA LIGHT!

At work, will add links later (if nobody else does)

 

[peccary]

I use something like this.

My eyesight is pretty bad and I use them when populating and soldering. it saves me a lot of eye strain and headaches. I took the light off, though, as it made it too heavy (it's removable). Without the light it's comfortable enough to just keep on my head.

 

[Harry Klippton]

Like @peccary said, I use magnifiers with a light built in. Made everything way easier, although now I wanna move to higher magnification

 

[vigilante398]

And whatever you use/do …
LOTSA LIGHT!

Big +1 to this. I'm not super blind, but I do wear glasses and my eyes are getting progressively worse. Redoing the light in my basement to dump a ton of light onto the workbench made a big difference for my comfort.

 

[peccary]

Yeah, lots of light is key. I have a nice little lamp that I use. I'd suggest getting a small lamp or something rather than replying on one that comes on the visor.

 

[spi]

Sometimes I have to go outside into the sun to get enough light to read the part number on a component.

 

[owlexifry]

And whatever you use/do …
LOTSA LIGHT!

light is everything.

this is why i haven't bothered to ever upgrade from this cheapo (everything i have ever built has been done with this model iron)
the LEDs are a godsend.

40W Soldering Iron with LEDs | Jaycar Electronics

40W soldering iron with bright-white LEDs!

www.jaycar.com.au

 

[KR Sound]

I use something like this.

My eyesight is pretty bad and I use them when populating and soldering. it saves me a lot of eye strain and headaches. I took the light off, though, as it made it too heavy (it's removable). Without the light it's comfortable enough to just keep on my head.

I use those when working on watches. They work pretty good at smaller magnification.

 

[finebyfine]

My vision is still too good for glasses but has gotten worse over the past 5 years - just for context.

I know you said you use reading glasses to read but if you haven’t looked into the really strong ones they’ve been great for me. I have a handful of high power reading glasses on my bench from 4x to 8x. I use 4x for most general assembly and soldering and 8x when working with SMD. I prefer them to the visor styles just because my hair is a mess right now and the head bands can be annoying.

I’ve never seen anything higher than 3x at drugstores so I had no idea they went this strong until reading a similar forum thread.

And cosigning everyone saying lots of light. Cooler color temperature the better.

 

[Harry Klippton]

Oh yeah the headband magnifiers rip my hair out all the time. That part is wack

 

[BuddytheReow]

Those headbands interest me, but I wear glasses. Can I use it with my glasses on?

 

[Harry Klippton]

Those headbands interest me, but I wear glasses. Can I use it with my glasses on?

Yes you can. I'm either wearing glasses or safety glasses with them on always

 

[RetiredUnit1]

I've used these before, but oddly enough my eyesight has gotten better than it was 20 years ago when I was 47ish.....

 

[KR Sound]

I've used these before, but oddly enough my eyesight has gotten better than it was 20 years ago when I was 47ish.....

View attachment 38077

Lucky you! I have seamless trifocals and don’t need them for anything within 18”.

 

[RetiredUnit1]

Have not used these, but they look cool.... Jeweler's loop glasses....20x

 

[KR Sound]

Have not used these, but they look cool.... Jeweler's loop glasses....20x

View attachment 38078

A lot of times, those type of lenses and loupes need to be a few inches away from what you’re looking at.

 

[AgAuthority]

Normally use 1.5 readers, but bump up to 3 when working on boards and detail stuff

Another tip, i use either my phone or ipad camera to look at small part numbers and the like

Ag

 

[owlexifry]

I've used these before, but oddly enough my eyesight has gotten better than it was 20 years ago when I was 47ish.....

View attachment 38077

haha i have that exact lens-lamp thingy on the far right - works a treat!

 

[kristopher]

I use a jewellers loupe. I got it from a friend years ago to look at the tri-combs on cannabis I tried growing. I hold it against my cheek, and bring the component towards my eye. Unlike a magnifying glass, where its held away from you.
I work under an average desk lamp. Then use my phone flashlight for the moments I use the loupe to identify small part codes.
But using the loupe, and soldering at the same time isn't safe. Obviously.
Taking photos and enlarging them works well too.
The Magnifying Glass/Lamp combo looks ideal for actively soldering. Good luck.