BelOMO 10x Triplet Loupe Folding Magnifier
by BelOMA
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List Price: Our Price: $34.50 You Save: $5.49 (14%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $31.99 (click here) Category: Office Product See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of BelOMO 10x Triplet Loupe Folding Magnifier
Customer Review: Comparison: BelOMO, Bausch & Lomb, Edmund Optics, and Edmund Scientifics
Summary: 5 Stars
I compared Hastings triplet 10X magnifiers, except where indicated. All of these magnifiers are very good; the sharpness and contrast distinctions are small and somewhat subjective. I used an Edmund Optics resolution card when comparing lenses.
BelOMO: sharpest and lowest contrast. Steel case large and angular; hard on pockets, and irksome on lanyard bumping against chest. Screws had been tightened sloppily, turning up sharp little ridges that probably would chew on pockets; maybe this was done by someone at American Geologist, not BelOMO. The lens cell appears to be plastic, maybe bakelite; perhaps not a problem.
Bausch & Lomb: good sharpness and intermediate contrast. Small, easy to carry. Case looks as thought it could be nickel-plated steel; the fairly rough ground surfaces do not look finished, although that may improve grip. Lens cell plastic. Each magnifier came with a very nice little neoprene-type drawstring bag. (I don't know if bags still are included.)
Edmund Optics: highest contrast. Case polished brass, and lens cell anodized aluminum. Lens and other parts made in Japan and assembled in USA, according to Edmund Optics tech support. Higher in price than BelOMO and Bausch & Lomb. Each Edmund Optics magnifier came with a plastic resolution card displaying fine parallel lines of decreasing sizes, comparable to an eye chart.
The Edmund Optics 7X version is quite large, although attractive; it looks almost like a coffee table item.
Edmund Scientifics: Actually a Bausch & Lomb magnifier in polystyrene box without bag. Both magnifiers and boxes showed microscopic signs of wear, making me wonder whether they were brand-new. Magnifiers did not match web site, which indicated that the cases were brass, and did not mention B&L. I used a magnet to confirm that the cases are steel.
For my own use, I would get either the BelOMO, because of sharpness and width of view; or the Bausch & Lomb, because of size, weight, and relatively rounded exterior. For gifts, I would get the Edmund Optics magnifiers, because they look nice, their brass cases should resist humidity, and they give high contrast, which I suspect is more noticeable to the casual user than is sharpness.
Customer Review: The Belomo 10X Triplet- Two Years Later...
Summary: 4 Stars
I use my Belomo loupe for nusmismatics, art and antiquities.
As others have said- shop for a better price. Unfortunately, the early days of $13 Belomo's are gone. Still, even at todays prices, there isn't a loupe at this price point that's anywhere in the same universe as the Belomo. Matter of fact, there are loupes that cost twice as much that are arguably inferior to the much cheaper Belomo.
I now use my Belomo loupe more than I do my (much more expensive) Nikon. Why? Simply put, in two years, I have yet to figure out what the Nikon does better than the Belomo. If the Nikon loupe does indeed do something better to justify its much higher price, it must be something done 'in theory' because in practice, the two are almost identical in terms of real world performance.
Improvements: The encasement construction isn't as robust as I'd like it to be. I actually wound up machining a new encasement hub out of solid aluminum for mine. Belomo could provide a solid encasement like mine for $3 or $4 added cost, which I'm sure would be greatly preferred and happily paid by the customers. If Belomo would do this, they would pretty much put all other Loupe makers out of business and cement their place as the best around... Also, the "crackle" paint finish isn't very durable over time.
Still, the Belomo loupe is one of those rare instances where you can lay a beat on 'the system' and actually get much more than you pay for. If you're searching for a loupe, your search just ended here. The ridiculously high optical quality you get in a Belomo loupe for a "flea market loupe" type price makes this a no-brainer.
Buy.
Customer Review: Excellent Loupe, a true must have for jewelry
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this loupe to replace a Bausch and Lomb Hastings triplet 10x loupe that I lost. Although this loupe cost $13 (compared to $45 for the B&L) I like this one better. It has a much larger viewing area and is just as clear.
By the way, I know it looks cheap and plastic in the picture, but it actually has a metal frame that has been powder coated. The manufacturer is located in a former Soviet Republic, Belarus. The plant was originally set up to produce optics for spy satellites, but now has diversified into everything optical. Although the companies name, BelOMO, unfortunately sounds like BLAMO, it actually stands for Belarusian Optical and Mechanical Association. Do a Google search on the company and you will be impressed.
By the way, I really think anyone who is thinking of purchasing jewelry should own a loupe. Buying jewelry without viewing it with a loupe is quite literally the same as buying it without looking at it. Diamonds are graded by what can be seen with a 10x color corrected triplet loupe (this item). Once you try it out, you will be amazed at what you can see.
As a final note, I bought this item through an Amazon seller called mgcgmh (I have no idea what that is supposed to stand for) and I was very pleased. I ordered it on Friday and my new loupe was in my mailbox on Monday. This is a $13 item, and it was refreshing to see a seller take the time to immediately ship it. I have lost track of the number of very expensive items I have ordered that took days to ship. I wish all sellers were this eager to please.
Customer Review: Better than expected!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this item for my wife whose hobby is jewelry and gem stones. I had researched and read reviews on various loupes (including this one) prior to purchasing. When I bought this loupe, I expected a very high quality, impressive item based on all the positive reviews. When I received the item; however, it was BETTER than I'd expected! This is the first loupe that we've owned so the only other loupes that I have to compare it with are the loupes they let you borrow at the jewlery stores to look at merchandise. This loupe is far better than any loupe I've ever used at a jewelry store. This loupe is not plastic--it's metal! In fact, I believe it's steel. It has a rough, baked finish on it which protects the metal from rust and damage and improves grip while holding the loupe. In the hand, it feels solid and has a bit of weight to it. The lenses are just amazing! The lenses were perfectly clean and just as crystal clear as could possibly be! Being non-adjustable at 10x, you adjust your focus by how close you hold the loupe to the object. When viewing a stone, the lense is completely clear with no distortion at all. For the price, I'm astounded at how nice this loupe is. It is made in Belarus and the accompanying instruction sheet is written in Russian. If you don't read Russian, it doesn't matter. It's a loupe. How hard can it be to use? This item has gone up in price since my purchase; however, at less than $40 I still think it's worth the money if you want a serious loupe.Customer Review: Almost perfect! But shop for a better price.
Summary: 5 Stars
This really is the premiere 10x loupe for hobbyists and amateurs of all sorts, and many professionals as well. It is sturdy and the glass is clear and of a generous size. The price can't be beat either. Fortunately for us, the BelOMO seems to be available pretty regularly, from a number of sellers, which hasn't always been the case.
In my case, I think I purchased four of them at one point, and mine has since been misplaced but my kind hubby loaned me his. I have several other loupes but this one is just my favorite. It was not so long ago that these lenses could be found for $15 apiece... shop around and you should be able to find them for $20 - 25 -- do Not pay $50 unless you have a special fondness for the supplier(!) Note that the BelOMO also comes as a 7x, so be sure to look for the 10x as you are shopping.
My only complaint about this lens is that there isn't a good spot to attach a clip or lanyard. You can clip or tie some things onto a bar opposite the swing-hinge, but nothing very thick or the lens won't close.
If you haven't used a loupe before, you generally hold it very close to your eye, and then hold the object (mineral, gem, dead insect, whatever) very close to the lens, and focus by moving it closer or farther away. Good luck!