Loupes: Flip-ups vs. TTL

[Locutus of Borg]

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Hi all,

I've heard that there are two types of loupes: flip-ups, which can be easily removed by myself from my glasses using a small screw driver, and TTL, which are fixed to the glasses' frame/lenses and require sending the entire glasses-loupes assembly back to the manufacturer for reinstallation if my eye prescription change. If I choose to go with TTL loupes, can I send my current prescription glasses to the loupes manufacture and get them to install their loupes onto it? Or does the loupes manufacturer always provide prescription glasses along with the loupes for all TTL purchases?
Also, how fatiguing is the extra weight of flip-ups?

I'm thinking of purchasing new glasses next week.

Thanks to all who respond.

 

[NAVY DDS 2010]

Hi all,

I've heard that there are two types of loupes: flip-ups, which can be easily removed by myself from my glasses using a small screw driver, and TTL, which are fixed to the glasses' frame/lenses and require sending the entire glasses-loupes assembly back to the manufacturer for reinstallation if my eye prescription change. If I choose to go with TTL loupes, can I send my current prescription glasses to the loupes manufacture and get them to install their loupes onto it? Or does the loupes manufacturer always provide prescription glasses along with the loupes for all TTL purchases?
Also, how fatiguing is the extra weight of flip-ups?

I'm thinking of purchasing new glasses next week.

Thanks to all who respond.

I don't know about TTL, but as for the flip-ups, if you use the loupes croakie that you use to tighten the lupes to your head, then the weight really isn't an issue. I have a modified headlamp attached to my flip-up Oakleys. I use the loupes up to 7 hours per day (the most we are allowed right now). The first few days they took time gettign use to with the weight of the headlamp, but after that I barely notice they are there except when the loupes get in my way. that is when I flip them up! To me, the weight relly isn't a problem as long as you tighten the cord to your head enough.

 

[cookand]

My only experience is with Designs for Vision TTL but I think I remember being able to change your script 3 times at no charge. I went no script (I use contacts) so I could be off on that. Just call the manufacturer and they will tell you.

I have a few classmates who bought flip-ups from ebay for next to nothing and they've been happy so far. They do have to occasionally adjust the loupes. Also, these loupes they have come on their own frame, they aren't attached to their script glasses.

 

[caffeinehigh]

I don't really see the point of having your prescription added to a small frame TTL setup. You can't really see around the mag scopes anyway.

If you go with flip then I can see the point.

 

[MALOKINMARTIN]

I'll just throw in my .02 here and say that the flip-up loupes are crazy annoying, fragile and heavy.

The only real benefit I see in having these things is that you can look at the patient directly without taking the glasses off. Not really worth it in my book. I’m actually going back and buying the fixed frame loupes this fall.

Individual results may vary…

 

[NAVY DDS 2010]

I'll just throw in my .02 here and say that the flip-up loupes are crazy annoying, fragile and heavy.

The only real benefit I see in having these things is that you can look at the patient directly without taking the glasses off. Not really worth it in my book. I’m actually going back and buying the fixed frame loupes this fall.

Individual results may vary…

Yes, the flip ups are heavier .... but if you use the headstrap that comes with Surgitels correctly, the flip-ups are secure to your head and the weight is not a problem.

Fragile ... A bulk of the people in the class above me and my class have flip-ups. There is one case of the flip ups breaking. There is one person whose clear lensdid crack, but other than tht nothing has happened.

 

[MALOKINMARTIN]

Yes, the flip ups are heavier .... but if you use the headstrap that comes with Surgitels correctly, the flip-ups are secure to your head and the weight is not a problem.

Fragile ... A bulk of the people in the class above me and my class have flip-ups. There is one case of the flip ups breaking. There is one person whose clear lensdid crack, but other than tht nothing has happened.

My Oakley flip-up's broke twice. Once on the mechanism that sets the lense wideness, and again on where the lense attaches to the frame. I can't speak for other brands and for folks that are better with moving parts than me, but after three years with these, I wouldn't do it again.

You are right about the headstrap, but i imagine the same goes for the fixed frame ones.

Like I said, personal results may vary and theres folks in my class that really liked the flip-ups, just not me

 

[NAVY DDS 2010]

My Oakley flip-up's broke twice. Once on the mechanism that sets the lense wideness, and again on where the lense attaches to the frame. I can't speak for other brands and for folks that are better with moving parts than me, but after three years with these, I wouldn't do it again.

You are right about the headstrap, but i imagine the same goes for the fixed frame ones.

Like I said, personal results may vary and theres folks in my class that really liked the flip-ups, just not me

finally, you answered why you don't like the flip-ups. Before this post, in two different posts, trashed the flip-ups. Somebody asked why you felt so and to give evidence in the other thread and you never replied. I am glad you finally answered it. It is not that the flip-ups suck. It isn't because they are complete garbage. You happened to be one of the few that had theirs break and had a bad experience with their loupes who just didn't appreciate the flip-ups and how they worked. I totally respect that. There is NOTHING in this world that is perfect. No matter how good of a quality of a product a company produced, there will always be occassional lemons! Some companies producing more than others.

People - the only way you are going to really know what you like best is trying somebody's loupes out. Some people will prefer TTL and some will prefer Flip-ups. A majority of people at my school use flip-ups and seem to enjoy them without problems. But, I do know there are plenty of people who prefer the TTL. It is all about preferences. Now, if I ever purchase a pair larger than my 2.5x, then I will definitely get TTL. But the 2.5x flip-ups with the headstrap AND a heavier self-made lighting system attached to the flip-ups still aren't bothersome when you use the head strap correctly.

 

[MALOKINMARTIN]

Both OP's were asking for an opinion. I gave my opinion. If you don't like my opinion, I'm fine with that. I think we can agree to disagree here.

However, I stand by original post. I would never buy the flip-ups again. The only thing that sets them apart from just another flashy dental gadget is the fact that you can talk to the patient with the lens rotated above your head like a Dr Seuss character. The other 95% of the time they're just sitting where every other loupe does.

There will always be occassional lemons! Some companies producing more than others.

I don't think I got a lemon. Granted, breakable stuff and I don't get along, but slapping moveable parts made of plastic on something someone uses for 8 hours a day is asking for trouble. And I imagine Oakley is producing a fair bit these days.

[You] just didn't appreciate the flip-ups and how they worked

Realistically, after three years of owning these and trying the fixed frames, I just don't understand why these are so fabulously different than regular loupes. Am I missing the turbo button or something? Seriously though what am i missing here?

People - the only way you are going to really know what you like best is trying somebody's loupes out. Some people will prefer TTL and some will prefer Flip-ups. A majority of people at my school use flip-ups and seem to enjoy them without problems. But, I do know there are plenty of people who prefer the TTL. It is all about preferences. Now, if I ever purchase a pair larger than my 2.5x, then I will definitely get TTL.

Invariably this question will be answered for an individual by what you said above. Well put.👍

 

[NAVY DDS 2010]

Both OP's were asking for an opinion. I gave my opinion. If you don't like my opinion, I'm fine with that. I think we can agree to disagree here.

However, I stand by original post. I would never buy the flip-ups again. The only thing that sets them apart from just another flashy dental gadget is the fact that you can talk to the patient with the lens rotated above your head like a Dr Seuss character. The other 95% of the time they're just sitting where every other loupe does.



I don't think I got a lemon. Granted, breakable stuff and I don't get along, but slapping moveable parts made of plastic on something someone uses for 8 hours a day is asking for trouble. And I imagine Oakley is producing a fair bit these days.



Realistically, after three years of owning these and trying the fixed frames, I just don't understand why these are so fabulously different than regular loupes. Am I missing the turbo button or something?



Invariably this question will be answered for an individual by what you said above. Well put.👍

I respect your opinion. I just wanted to get clarified why you trashed flip-ups like you did in another post and were so adamant about how bad the flip-ups were because based on how you described them, I haven't seen a single person at my school that feels so passionate against them as you do. I understand you were giving your opinion and I respect that. It was just the generalized comments about them. You didn't express your personal problems with them. That is what people need to know.

You said the only advantage of flip-ups is so you an see the patient when talking to them. Well, when I am doing the initial exam, when I am taking impressions, when I amdoing anythign where eyeglass protection is needed, but loupes are not, I can flip them up so they do not obstruct my view. This way I don't have to keep another set of glasses on hand just to do these things in addition to work that the loupes are needed. There is no turbo button. There is no easy button. There is no gadget that James Bond would use to escape the enemy. It is just a person's preference of how they use them.

I think we both have now gotten our points across now. 🙂

Now, to the OP, try all types of loupes out. Find out what you like best as each person has his/her own preferences.

 

[dr Flavio]

Hello Friends,
I'ma dentist here in Brazil and I'm going Spending holidays in New York, Orlando and wondered if anyone could give me information on what store I could buy the magnifying lens for oral surgery. I need the address of a store because I have to test it (magnifying glass) before buying. Thanks for help
Flavio
www.dentalcosmetica.odo.br