Recommendations for loupes?

[y3nd0]

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Hey everyone,

It's about time for me to purchase loupes and I was wondering if any of you have recommendations for loupe brands, magnification, characteristics, etc.

Obviously it's all based on personal preference, but it'd be nice to get a feel for what people have chosen!

I have spoken to a few of my upperclassmen and most say they own a pair of DFV, and that 3.5x, expanded vision, is the way to go.

I've heard:
Avoid:
Q optics: cheap but poor quality
Surgitel: poor quality, bad customer service (most upperclassmen purchased and ended up returning for DFV)

Recommended:
DFV (big at my school)
Orascoptic
Lumadent: don't know about their product, but heard great things about their service.

I'm not looking to break the bank, but as I realize this is will be a huge investment, I set my limit at $1500-$1750. I'm also looking for something lightweight, which I realize expanded vision (and perhaps flip lenses) will add to the weight.

Anyone have any recommendations? Headlight worth it? Flip lenses? Expanded vision?

There are a lot of things going on and lots and lots of choices. I'm very lost so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone!

 

[OhioDMD]

I can tell you what I use, Zeiss 3.3x 450 with a Lumadent light. Not as light as DFV but they have a great field of view and optical quality that all others are compared. This is my first and only pair of loupes. I would not start with any less magnification or you will be wanting more in a very short time. There is a pair on eBay within your price range at this time (* I have no connection to the seller. I follow them on eBay as I will be purchasing some 2.5x for my hygienists in the future.). New they are/were carried by Schein so you may get a price break from the schools rep. Also Lumadent offers a great student discount. My only advise is try several different brands, magnifications and working lengths to see what you like.

 

[PointEstimate]

YMMV, but I personally like my flip-ups. I can use the back of my hand to flip up the loops and look through Rx lenses. Because they flip up, they are heavier.

Definitely get the headlight. That way you can direct the light to where you need it.

 

[Bifenthrin]

I actually have Q-Optics loupes and I love them. I got 2.5x because I felt 3.5x was too much and narrowed my field of view too much. Definitely get a headlight with them, because it's a much better light source than any lamp, and it moves with you.

 

[bjpenn]

I have Dfv 3.5 expanded field but they are heavy. Just ordered lumadent loupes with the light. If the loupes suck, I'll return them but I hear rave reviews about the light.

 

[y3nd0]

Thanks for the replies, everyone!

I'll check out the dfv, 3.5x, non flip ups (I don't have a prescription), expanded vision and see what I think about the weight. And I guess I'll check out the lumadent light as well!

 

[sjv]

I also have the DFV expanded field, no issues except they are heavy as stated above. I don't have a Lumadent light but the people I know that do haven't had any issues, the price is solid for 2 battery packs.

Thanks for the replies, everyone!

I'll check out the dfv, 3.5x, non flip ups (I don't have a prescription), expanded vision and see what I think about the weight. And I guess I'll check out the lumadent light as well!

 

[shendo]

I would recommend you check out the new orascoptic eyezoom loupes which has 3 step magnification (3,4,5 x). This is what I recommend my aegd residents to consider buying when they start the program since it gives you flexibility to switch to different magnifications depending on what procedure you are doing.