Loupes recommendation

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
So I recently inherited a pair of 2.5x magnification Keeler Sugical Loupes and I'm planning on using them in dental school instead of adding a couple thousand to my student loans. So could anyone answer the following?

1) Is there any functional difference between Loupes made for surgeons and Loupes made for dentists or is it all just marketing mumbo jumbo? (I got my pair from a medical surgeon who is retiring)

2) Whats up with the dental lights? Why do they cost so damn much? Is there something special about them or should I buy one of those $30-50 Loupe light kits I see on amazon and just clip it onto my pair?

I feel like I'm only a student, 2.5x should work fine for my 1st year of dental school. I can drop big money on loupes once I'm doing more advanced stuff in school right? I got this pair for free which is the best price ever for a poor student...
 
DigitalDental said:
2) Whats up with the dental lights? Why do they cost so damn much? Is there something special about them or should I buy one of those $30-50 Loupe light kits I see on amazon and just clip it onto my pair?

I feel like I'm only a student, 2.5x should work fine for my 1st year of dental school. I can drop big money on loupes once I'm doing more advanced stuff in school right? I got this pair for free which is the best price ever for a poor student...
Click to expand...

It's called the "dental tax." Anything marketed towards dentist is automatically going to be more expensive, regardless of what it is

My school included our first set of loupes in our tuition. We all started with 2.5x mag. Most of us upgraded during D4 or right befre/after graduation. I thought 2.4x was just fine for school. I have 3.5 now and find it to be more helpful, but I still occasionally use my 2.5 with no issues
 
Finally pulled the trigger on the lumadent airlux light to pair with my 4.5x q optics, feels good man
20191212_161524.jpg
 
GoDental101 said:
Nice! Do you like 4.5x? Did you ever wish you had lower mag?
Click to expand...
The 4.5x is nice. I imagine I could deal with a lower mag but I wouldn't want to. I can perfectly see a quadrant as is. Best part of q optics is how light they are, which allows me to put a wireless light on them so I don't have to deal with wires
 
Hi @BasicG, nice idea with wireless light. How practical did you find that? Since it last about three times less than wired lights (10 h vs 3 h on max). Any discomfort from wearing it for a few hours?
 
Firik said:
Hi @BasicG, nice idea with wireless light. How practical did you find that? Since it last about three times less than wired lights (10 h vs 3 h on max). Any discomfort from wearing it for a few hours?
Click to expand...
It's very practical. I tried my fiance's lumadent unilux but didn't like how the wire kept fidgeting with my head, especially when looking around and talking with classmates/faculty. I could probably put up with it for a few months, but constantly adjusting the wire every day would irk me long term. Swapping batteries is fast and one is always charging when the other is in use. I don't feel any discomfort after a few hours, but that depends on how sensitive your nose is to weight
 
BasicG said:
It's very practical. I tried my fiance's lumadent unilux but didn't like how the wire kept fidgeting with my head, especially when looking around and talking with classmates/faculty. I could probably put up with it for a few months, but constantly adjusting the wire every day would irk me long term. Swapping batteries is fast and one is always charging when the other is in use. I don't feel any discomfort after a few hours, but that depends on how sensitive your nose is to weight
Click to expand...

Nice! So the entire light is 17 grams?!
It says it Producing 21,000 LUX, whereas for wired ones is 60,000 LUX. Does this make a difference?
Also, I am thinking about the warm brightness option? which one did you get?
 
Firik said:
Nice! So the entire light is 17 grams?!
It says it Producing 21,000 LUX, whereas for wired ones is 60,000 LUX. Does this make a difference?
Also, I am thinking about the warm brightness option? which one did you get?
Click to expand...
Warm light makes colors look a bit more natural and has less blue light reflecting off of the teeth, which should help your eyes in the long run. 21k lux is plenty bright, I used the 50k setting on the unilux and thought that was too much
 
How stable is the light attached to the loupe? Do you notice any wobbling whatsoever?
 
I ended up getting the light! Super nice and plenty bright. One thing I have noticed is that it is pretty hard to unplug the battery from the light. Have you experienced the same thing? If so, any tips or tricks? I feel like I have to pull so hard on it I'm scared i'll break something.
 
4.0 prism q-optics = awesome! Pricy...but I’m very happy with the purchase!
 
Allsmiles! said:
4.0 prism q-optics = awesome! Pricy...but I’m very happy with the purchase!
Click to expand...
Hi! Thanks for the input. How long have you had them? Do you have Q optics light? I'm debating between 3.5 and 4. Met with representative and it was impossible to see the difference with the samples she has, they are very far off my interpupillary distance, can't see a thing.
 
princeafrica said:
A couple of my classmates returned their other brand loupes and got Q-optics 4.0x after they saw mine.
I didn't want a lot of stress on my neck so I was looking for the lightest loupes but that can still deliver a good field of view and magnification. I tried out pretty much all the major companies and Q-optics was the lightest for me and offered a good in between 3.5x and 4.0x with the opportunity to upgrade. I also wear prescription glasses and not contacts and Q-optics prescription clip on is nice and easy to switch out if I ever go to contacts or lasik. I honestly so far have not seen much different with 3.5x and 4.0x. I can see the whole arch with the 4.0x
Click to expand...
Very useful information, thanks. Very important question for me- I also need a prescription insert, I am afraid if I try to see from the side of the loupe, that the insert is not going to reach and I won't be able to see through the sides of the glass (for example, if you want to see an xray or write something without having to take off the loupes), have you ever felt that when you see from the side that you don't have your prescription or worse that you see the line where the insert ends? I love their sports frame but because of that I was considering their regular glasses. Thank you for your input, been looking for someone with prescription insert.
 
EsperanzaMiaf said:
Hi! Thanks for the input. How long have you had them? Do you have Q optics light? I'm debating between 3.5 and 4. Met with representative and it was impossible to see the difference with the samples she has, they are very far off my interpupillary distance, can't see a thing.
Click to expand...

I have had them for about 1 semester. I paired up my q-optics with a lumadent light (ProLUX)...very happy! I went back and forth between 3.5 vs 4.0 and I do not regret getting the 4.0.
 
Allsmiles! said:
I have had them for about 1 semester. I paired up my q-optics with a lumadent light (ProLUX)...very happy! I went back and forth between 3.5 vs 4.0 and I do not regret getting the 4.0.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your quick response! Now I have to decide between the sports frame with prescription insert or regular frame with prescription, doing more research. Thanks again.
 
EsperanzaMiaf said:
Hi! I'm thinking of buying Q Optics, are you satisfied with your loupes and service? Did you try their light? why are you changing to lumadent? Hppy to hear recommendations.
Click to expand...
Yeah I'm satisfied with them. They're lightweight and allow me to see the quadrant I'm working in. I had to send them in to get the declination angle increased, but it was free and the turnaround time was fast. I went with a lumadent light because they offer a wireless option while q optics doesn't
 
princeafrica said:
A couple of my classmates returned their other brand loupes and got Q-optics 4.0x after they saw mine.
I didn't want a lot of stress on my neck so I was looking for the lightest loupes but that can still deliver a good field of view and magnification. I tried out pretty much all the major companies and Q-optics was the lightest for me and offered a good in between 3.5x and 4.0x with the opportunity to upgrade. I also wear prescription glasses and not contacts and Q-optics prescription clip on is nice and easy to switch out if I ever go to contacts or lasik. I honestly so far have not seen much different with 3.5x and 4.0x. I can see the whole arch with the 4.0x
Click to expand...
Hi! I have a question regarding the insert clip with prescription of Q optics- are you able to see well through the the sides of the loupe? for example, if you stop working for a minute to look at an xray and don't want to take off the loupes, can you see from the sides? Is the clip big enough that you don't see the rim when seeing sideways? I'm afraid I'm either going to see the rim or it's going to be through the non prescription glass. Thank you
 
EsperanzaMiaf said:
Hi! I have a question regarding the insert clip with prescription of Q optics- are you able to see well through the the sides of the loupe? for example, if you stop working for a minute to look at an xray and don't want to take off the loupes, can you see from the sides? Is the clip big enough that you don't see the rim when seeing sideways? I'm afraid I'm either going to see the rim or it's going to be through the non prescription glass. Thank you
Click to expand...

The couple weeks I had those same concerns. For me personally it took a little to get used to but then they now work almost like my regular glasses. The clip is big enough so you don't see the rim unless you are looking far side ways and when that happens i usually turn my head anyways.


It is just like getting glasses for the first time. The first week you wear it you will notice the rim because you are thinking about it a lot but then you will get used to it. So i would say give it a try! They do give you a trial period. I don't remember how long but i know it was long enough.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Budget Loupes
Replies
2
Views
843
DC1230
D
T
  • Question Question
Ergonomic Loupes
Replies
6
Views
7K
quasarzone
Q
bommer2323
Loupes
Replies
4
Views
1K
SkinnyT
SkinnyT
P
Get loupes myself or at the school fair?
Replies
34
Views
12K
mmmmdonut
M
0Mik3cho
Headlight Recommendations for 4.5 loupes
Replies
2
Views
3K
TanMan
T
Top