Carson LinenTest 5x30mm Folding Loupe Magnifier , Black

I've used the Carson Metal LinenTest Glass Magnifier LT-80 for several different projects AND some surprise uses. Outside of the normal intended use... I found other uses.Other uses:1.) If you need to take a picture of something magnified... you can use this and take a picture through the magnifier. This worked well when I noticed an issue with damage on the outside body of a Flamenco Guitar. I Was able to Magnify the problem area and send the picture to the company.2.) Removing splinters from people's fingers - Weed thorns, glass, or other things stuck in the skin.3.) I've also used this device to help me see the nut grooves in guitar nuts. Again... other magnifiers can do this... but I found it very handy to place on the area of the guitar and was able to easily see what I needed to see before I started work.Obviously you can do this with other magnifiers... but the small form factor makes it easy. Hey... if you already have it, you might as well use it for what you can! The unit I bought is well made. The folding hinges work well - not too sticky or too loose / floppy. This is the 2nd one I bought... I lost the 1st one and thought this was handy enough to replace it.

excellent quality, I am so pleased. totally clear and sharp magnification.

So sturdy and clear. Love the metal body. I had a plastic one that’s more expensive, and ofc it didn’t last.

This magnifier is a great unit. VERY well built and sturdy. Best I have ever seen with the metal construction and all. The ONLY reason I didn't give it 5 stars is due to the lack of a light. To a lot of people this won't matter, but I use it in dimly light places and that makes a difference to me. This unit is VERY configurable. I don't think I will ever use it as a linen tester, but I use it for a lot of other things. Because the base and the magnifier hinge, you can use it to look straight down on things and its always in perfect focus. Or, you can fold the magnifier the other direction and use it as a stand alone hands free unit.

Works good however wish it was bigger! SUPER SMALL!

Hi all. Long time graphic designer / prepress person here. This item is a great value for the money. Lets in a good amount of light and was sharp and clear ( looking at 175 dot images+ ). Impressed enough to buy it for my two co-workers as a gift ( and to replace some woefully inadequate loupes the company had been using for years ). Folds up nice and compact and comes with a decent little carry / protector case. Would very much recommend!

Have used the plastic version of this Carson magnifier for decades (and still have my original one from 1986!), saw this and decided to add an extra one to my shop.We print using a Roland 8-color vinyl printer (VG2-540) and check dot structure and color banding using these linen testers, they are indispensable for really seeing what's going on when there's an issue with banding.Some have complained that you have to pick it up off the item being inspected to get it to focus, let me tell you that this is true, even for my original one from '86! I guess we're all used to just picking it up off the vinyl about a quarter inch or so to get it sharp and clear, its really not that big of an issue for us.If the plastic one lasted this many years, this one should outlast me!

Looks and feels Fantastic in hand.