Anyone recognise this optical magnifier

Hi All,

Having a bit of a clearout (long way to go) found this item in a drawer. I didn't photo the ends but theres a lens each end. I assume it needs an external light source to get the most out of it. I would be interested in it's purpose. It's made in Germany and I think it may be something to do with photography as I acquired it from my father ..I think.

Alan

Alan

I think it may be for record player stylus inspection

... was he an audio enthusiast ?

MichaelG.

It's what I would describe as a pocket microscope, in a former life I used to use one for inspecting the polishing on fibre optic cable ends. Mine I think came from RS, but at the time were still known as Radiospares.

Phil

It is indeed a pocket microscope, the bevelled end for letting light in is the giveaway.

Ahh,

Interesting, I work in communications and do splice optical fibres, but I have only been doing it for the last 20 years with relatively modern equipment with lcds screens etc, and have never done the polishing, seen someone do it once. Now looking at the link below the extra light source needed makes a bit more sense, without that not sure its much use.

https://www.theloupestore.co.uk/Hand-Lenses/Pocket-Magnifiers/Tech-Line-Zoom-pocket-microscope-314.html

Alan

Alan

Phil obviously put you on exactly the right track, but; just for the record ... this is the Colton device that I had in mind: **LINK**

https://picclick.co.uk/Colton-Stylus-X-50-Stylus-Inspection-Pocket-Microscope-263582698911.html

MichaelG.

It looks like a 'better than aveverage' pocket scope, but the little mirror suggests that it may be optimised for looking at things from the side and reflecting light up on to them.

My ancient cheapy (which works as a passable 'splinter checker' also functions as a very awful telescope. It has a transparent, bevelled end.

Neil

Norfolk Boy,

This is an Eschenbach Optik 1171 Microscope that used to be supplied by RS components part number 541-040 now discontinued. I have the 40x only version which is difficult to use unless you have excellent vision.

Eric

Hi Eric,

Thanks for the info. I must admit I have tried a number of ways to look at things with it, and concluded that it is so difficult to use that I will never have a use for it. I have managed up to now with other means of looking closely at things and I have a set of binocular twin optic microscope (don't know what else to call it) that I found at work that I assume were used in very early fibre splicing techniques.

I use them infrequently also to be honest, mostly doubling up with reading glasses gets me by. I am just scratching the surface of decluttering in an attempt to create enough space and ready access to things so I can acheive something without spending all day trying to find things. Wasn't a problem when I was younger I remembered where everything thing was, now I have to see things as I glance around. I do realise this is a drop in the ocean but it turned up in the excercise.

Alan