Advice about loupes

[BD2014]

I am just wondering during what year does the normal dental school student purchase their loupes? I have seen that a few D1's that have them already and was wondering if this is something I should plan on purchasing during my first year as well or if I should wait? Also, what is the average price for a good pair? Thanks for the advice!

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[free99]

Depends on the school, ours required that we buy them spring semester, D1. Average price for 2.5x (common starting magnification) is about $1000, with a headlamp about $1300-$1500.

 

[StrugglingDS]

You should have it by the time you have your first operative dentistry class or perio class (a.k.a when you are required to practice working on a manikin's mouth)

 

[Faux]

Depends on the school, ours required that we buy them spring semester, D1. Average price for 2.5x (common starting magnification) is about $1000, with a headlamp about $1300-$1500.

A little bit higher than on the estimated sheet *_*. Did you go for a 2.5?

 

[free99]

Yeah, but they also allot a crazy amount for a laptop so it all evens out. We didn't have a choice for magnification, had to buy 2.5x, it's likely you will too. Had I been given a choice in the matter I would have gotten higher mag, but professors are fairly adamant about everyone being on an "equal playing field" in terms of magnification. I don't really agree with it, but you learn to choose your battles and that wasn't one worth fighting, IMO.


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[CleverThought]

We had a vendor fair in like October of D1 year. I bought 3.5x and a light. 3.5 was the perfect starting magnification imo. If anything, I could use a pair with even higher magnification.

 

[Incis0r]

We had a vendor fair in like October of D1 year. I bought 3.5x and a light. 3.5 was the perfect starting magnification imo. If anything, I could use a pair with even higher magnification.

Which vendor, which model/frames? Also, do you remember roughly how much the setup costed ya?

 

[sl2obel2ts]

I made my own loupe light. cost me 30 dollars including a 12 hr battery (6000mah).

 

[ButlerCard]

I got the Orascoptic 3.3 extended field and I love them

 

[IAlongbuccal]

reps will go to your class and hold info sessions, try them all. get through the lens (not flip ups) and u can start out with 2.5x, but eventually you will want to up it to 3.5x, loupes are about 1300 and up, light goes from 400 and up.

 

[CleverThought]

Which vendor, which model/frames? Also, do you remember roughly how much the setup costed ya?

I went with DFV and the Nike Frames. I have my statement back home so I can check, but it was somewhere around $1500.

We had 4 total loupes vendors (all the biggies) and the prices were all comparable with one another, so it's a matter of preference on what you like.

If you have a vendor fair like we did, I recommend bringing a coin and looking at it through all the loupes you try on. a 3.5 at one vendor may be slightly different from another vendors.

 

[Incis0r]

I went with DFV and the Nike Frames. I have my statement back home so I can check, but it was somewhere around $1500.

We had 4 total loupes vendors (all the biggies) and the prices were all comparable with one another, so it's a matter of preference on what you like.

If you have a vendor fair like we did, I recommend bringing a coin and looking at it through all the loupes you try on. a 3.5 at one vendor may be slightly different from another vendors.

Great thank you! Do they walk you through the working distance/prescription/etc. customization over at the fair or do you make an appointment to meet them later to do all of that?

Did the $1500 include a light?

 

[CleverThought]

Great thank you! Do they walk you through the working distance/prescription/etc. customization over at the fair or do you make an appointment to meet them later to do all of that?

Did the $1500 include a light?

Yep, placed the order and got everything measured there. If you are getting a Rx lens, make sure you bring your prescription with you. My optometrist was able to get it to me on a little business card.

That price I gave you included a light, but I don't have my quote on me right now. It may have been a bit more, but it was under 2k for sure.

 

[CleverThought]

Great thank you! Do they walk you through the working distance/prescription/etc. customization over at the fair or do you make an appointment to meet them later to do all of that?

Did the $1500 include a light?

Update, my quote says $1465 for 3.5x Nike Frames and a light from DFV