Viewing aids for tying

[nidd]

After fly-fishing for 20+ years I'm now progressing to fly-tying (don't like to rush into things oop 'ere in Yorkshire).

I'm finding that I need some magnifying aid and would wecome advice on what's best. Lots seem to be on the market some with illumination some not. Does it matter that I already need to wear varifocal glasses?

All advice welcome - a free spare magnifyer even more welcome!

Regards

Nidd

[Oldfart]

PM on it's way

[breezey]

Originally Posted by nidd

After fly-fishing for 20+ years I'm now progressing to fly-tying (don't like to rush into things oop 'ere in Yorkshire).

I'm finding that I need some magnifying aid and would wecome advice on what's best. Lots seem to be on the market some with illumination some not. Does it matter that I already need to wear varifocal glasses?

All advice welcome - a free spare magnifyer even more welcome!

Regards

Nidd

try this out Nidd these are quite good
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...MAGNIFYING.htm

[stevekale]

I'd still say the best thing is a set of powerful reading glasses that you can look over the top of. Given you varifocal glasses today that may mean a bit of extra swapping of glasses but your current glasses merely normalise your short (and long vision) when what you likely need is a bit of magnification. I bought the one shown here:

http://www.anglers-lodge.co.uk/produ..._MAGNIFICATION

but have largely abandoned using it in favour of some cheap reading glasses (even though I don't need glasses to read).

[weight_forward]

They had the same lamps as the ones in Argos on sale at Hobbycraft a few weeks ago, they were £20 (reduced from £30). The light is good, nice and even, but I really don't like the magnifying glass - the focal area seems really small and it makes your tying thread looks like tow rope!

[sonnaghan]

Maplins have a super light which surrounds a magnifying glass. It gives out great light and the glass make tying a pleasure. It's an anglepoise so you can put it anywhere. Cost is about £30 and you can get replacement bulbs.
Good luck

these are great for putting on a cap and flipping down for tying on flys at dusk, then double up for fly tying at home.....with your hat on!!
Look a bit dorky in the add but build quality is robust and optics, superb. Worth the effort and extra cost.
http://www.mageyes.com/hateyes.htm

[Bob G]

I used this for a few years:
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/se...ype/any/page/1 (second one down)

Have also tried the head band thingy with interchangeable lenses:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HEAD-MAGNIFIER...d=p3286.c0.m14

I have now gone back to an anglepoise lamp with a daylight bulb & raised the vice height so that the jaws are almost chin level.

[Cap'n Fishy]

Aye, age doesn't come itself. I had perfect eyesight through teens, 20s, 30... hit 40 and had to start using 'readers'. Nowadays, I'm on varifocals 24/7 - and they still won't cope with fly tying. That's not a problem though, as all I need is a pair of 4x cheapo 'readers' from Asda/Boots or whoever is doing them. Couple them to a good angle-poise lamp shining over your shoulder, and a decent neutral background card behind the fly.

Don't look up suddenly and expect to see what just happened on the telly, though

Col