Opinion: Loupes (Orascoptic 3.8x-EF, DFV 3.5x-EF, Heine 3.5x-EF)

[sgv]

I understand that the choice of loupes is a very personal decision but I seriously value the opinions of dentists/students who have experienced at least some of these loupe companies.

I think I'm looking for the (1) highest-quality lens (least chromatic aberrations) with the (2) greatest clarity and (3) largest field-of-view. I don't know if weight will be an issue so long as I use an accessory headband.

I've narrowed down the choices to:

(1) Heine 3.5x Prismatic loupes on S-frame flip-ups with detachable prescription inserts: $1670

(2) Designs for Vision 3.5x Prismatic loupes on aluminum Yeoman ("Buddy Holly") frame: $1535

(3) Orascoptic 3.8x Prismatic loupes on titanium frame: $1400

I wear glasses and don't plan on wearing contacts.

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[Screwtape]

I am looking into purchasing loupes through our vendor fair this week. After talking to people and doing some research it does seem that DFV is the superior brand. Unfortunately I do not have first hand experience, yet.

 

[dantemac]

I have had both Heine and DFV 3.5 loupes. I loved the Heine field of view and resolution (truly superior optics) but I felt like the flip up design was flimsy. It got old flipping them up and down to deal with faculty. DFV on the other hand have pretty good optics (some spherical abberation, and a smaller field of view) but you can see right through the lens and over the optics. I prefer this a lot more to flip ups like Heine. In the future I may return to Heine, though.

 

[sgv]

I am looking into purchasing loupes through our vendor fair this week. After talking to people and doing some research it does seem that DFV is the superior brand. Unfortunately I do not have first hand experience, yet.

I have had both Heine and DFV 3.5 loupes. I loved the Heine field of view and resolution (truly superior optics) but I felt like the flip up design was flimsy. It got old flipping them up and down to deal with faculty. DFV on the other hand have pretty good optics (some spherical abberation, and a smaller field of view) but you can see right through the lens and over the optics. I prefer this a lot more to flip ups like Heine. In the future I may return to Heine, though.

Thanks everyone.

I've tried the DFV lenses again and they were less forgiving when it came to staying on focus with slight head movements and had less peripheral resolution than the Orascoptic's. Plus, the Orascoptics had adjustable working distance knobs and are cheaper. I did like the sturdy DFV Buddy Holly frames with the large visual area above the binoculars but Orascoptic had an equivalent version. I decided against Heine's flip-ups. I didn't want to have to go through the hassle of ordering the Heines with Henry-Schein or working with sales representatives who rarely, or never, visit my school.

Orascoptics it is. 🙂