clip on magnifiers for bats

[corsican dave]

okay, I finally have to concede defeat; my feckin' eyes have had it  I've always been pathetically short sighted, but now the classic age thing has kicked in and my near sight is deteriorating too) I've gone to bi-focals which are great for everyday use, but threading & tying on even fairly standard flies (10, 12) with 4lb tippet is becoming a chore. interestingly, it's even worse in anything less than bright light. needless to say, big carp & pike flies with 20lb tippets aren't a problem  :lol:

so, these magnifying lenses that flip down from your cap; what are they like? some of the reviews on the orvis ones seem to describe my problem perfectly. over to the experts.... your advice, please?

[Wildfisher]

The Snowbee ones are crap. Alex and I bought - "Hat Eyes" I'm pretty sure that's what they are called anyhow. They are much better. Alex might have a link for  a UK supplier

They are not the cheapest, but that's not an issue for you Dave, I know you prefer to pay through the nose for quality.  :lol:

[Wildfisher]

Yeah, just checked they are "Hat Eyes"

[corsican dave]

The Snowbee ones are crap. Alex and I bought - "Hat Eyes" I'm pretty sure that's what they are called anyhow. They are much better. Alex might have a link for  a UK supplier

They are not the cheapest, but that's not an issue for you Dave, I know you prefer to pay through the nose for quality.  :lol:

:lol:

buy cheap, buy twice is my motto, Fred. it's really bothering me now, so it'll be worth it. did you go for the 2.0x or the 2.25x?

[Wildfisher]

Being an old bastard I got the x 2.5 as you are only using them for close up stuff like knot tying etc I'd get the strongest.

[Wildfisher]

The Orvis ones are less expensive, but they are all plastic and must be prone to breaking when you take them on and off. You also need a hat with stiff brim. I had to upgrade my Snowbee  "Ranger" (note no "s"  :lol: ) hat for a genuine Canadian Tilly. That was yet another £60 or so.  And so it goes on .............  :roll:  Actually buying the Tilly  was the best thing I did , it is vastly better and more comfortable. Classic design and quality.

None of these hat points  is an issue of course for baseball cap wearing neds.  :lol:

[haresear]

The Snowbee ones are crap. Alex and I bought - "Hat Eyes" I'm pretty sure that's what they are called anyhow. They are much better. Alex might have a link for  a UK supplier

They are not the cheapest, but that's not an issue for you Dave, I know you prefer to pay through the nose for quality.  :lol:

I'm afraid the links I had are now defunct. The clip and arm on mine are metal, so less prone to breakage than the Orvis plastic ones, but it looks like that is what you might have to settle for.

Alex

[corsican dave]

as a fully paid up ned I don't have a problem with stiffness. I understand you can get pills for that nowadays, anyway...

i'll try a polite e-mail to the states and see what the scoop is. I've been pleasantly surprised before. the orvis ones get very good reviews and to be honest i'd have paid fifteen quid to tie my flies on today. yep, i'll admit it; I was stockie bashing with a newbie this morning  :shock:

the results speak for themselves and i'm considering a custom rod in white sintrix.....

[JimJams]

If my blood sugars run high I struggle to thread small flies, I bought a little magnetic threaded for a few quid off eBay, was sceptical of it but it actually works for more dries and wets!

[ant0]

I started wearing prescribed reading glasses just over a year ago, around +1.25 and was struggling to tie flies under #10 size.  I looked at the various flip visor magnifiers but a friend told me not to bother as I'd likely loose them based on his own experience.  So I did what he did and got some cheap/disposable folding reading glasses - I got a few each at +1.50 and +2.00 and they work a treat - with the +2.00 the fly eyes of 16's and 18's look huge and easy to tie 

I got them from ebay, china supplier, for around £1.50 per pair INCL postage - figure out the profit on that?!.   They have a great little clip on pouch and fold very small but only take a few seconds to unfold and put on.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Folding-Reading-Glasses-Men-Women-1-0-4-0-Ultra-light-Resin-Eyewear-Explosion/162117899868?_trksid=p2045573.c100505.m3226&_trkparms=aid%3D555014%26algo%3DPL.DEFAULT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20151005190540%26meid%3Dd0270922c5bc486c880e13cde34cbcea%26pid%3D100505%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26

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I've got loads of these now, dotted around fishing jackets, bags and in the car so hopefully alays on hand if I need them and cheap enough not to bother if lost.

Dave, I can show you/give you a pair when I'm up next.