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Hand Lens Magnifiers for Geology and Earth Sciences
The Bausch & Lomb 10x Hastings triplet lens is the one we use for field geology, but all the hand-lenses we sell are high quality products that we would also buy and use ourselves. Handlenses are also used for biology and other earth sciences. Sometimes these magnifiers are called a loupe, eye loupe, or jeweler's loupe. See our hand-lens tips if you need help choosing which one to buy.
Magnifier Quick Selection Links |
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| 7X |
10X |
14X |
15X |
20X |
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| Bausch & Lomb Hastings
Triplet |
$34.50 |
$35.50 |
$42.00 |
$42.00 |
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| Bausch & Lomb
Coddington |
$22.50 |
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| Value Triplet 18mm diameter |
$16.00 |
$17.00 |
$18.00 |
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| Large 21mm Value Triplet |
$22.00 |
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| Clearance - discontinued
items |
$11.00 |
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Bausch & Lomb - top quality hand lenses |
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Bausch & Lomb 10X Coddington magnifierThis magnifier is suited to the customer on a budget who wants the assurance of B & L quality in a hand lens. This is a Coddington magnifier, meaning that the lens is ground from a single piece of glass. The Coddington design requires a magnifier body that is large compared to the actual usable viewing size, but it results in a rugged magnifier that cannot be damaged by water. A good choice if you will be working in aquatic environments.
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Bausch & Lomb 7X Hastings triplet magnifierA good choice for biologists working with 3D objects because the 7X power has a deeper depth of focus than higher magnification lenses. Also good for teaching proper use of a hand lens because of the large 19.8 mm diameter.
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Bausch & Lomb 10X Hastings triplet hand lens magnifierOur most popular seller and a long time favorite Bausch & Lomb pocket magnifier. This is the one we recommend for field geology and general earth science uses with objects that are relatively flat. Most people can use this magnifier without removing eyeglasses
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Bausch & Lomb 14X Hastings triplet magnifierA magnifier of this power can usually be used by a trained person fairly easily. Some users will need to remove eyeglasses to hold it close enough to the eye. A very useful hand-lens, but because of its smaller size and shallower depth of field of focus we would still recommend that you have another lower power lens handy for general use.
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Bausch & Lomb 20X Hastings triplet magnifierThe 20X lens is very small - the penny in the image is the same scale as the handlens. A 20X lens of highest optical quality is quite small, which makes it very difficult to use. Only a specialized and well trained person would use this high power lens, and they would also have a lower power lens available for most general uses.
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High quality, lower priced
hand lenses
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Value 10X triplet magnifierThe best Hastings Triplet magnifier value we have found. Costs little more than a good quality doublet magnifier. Clear bright image of this genuine triplet lens rivals the B&L hand-lenses at less than half the price, but the larger 18mm diameter makes it easier to use for some people. Well made, nicely finished body.
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Large sixe Value 10X triplet magnifierSame construction as the standard Value 10x, but this version of the hand lens has a larger 21mm diameter which provides over 30% more glass area. Some people prefer the larger version because it is a little easier to get proper lighting on the subject. A little heavy on the lanyard if you will be carrying it all day. Expect a little linear distortion at the perimeter of the lens, but still a very sharp, bright image.
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Value 15X triplet magnifierSame specifications as the 18mm 10X above. Some people prefer a bit more magnification to pick out smaller details for advanced minerology or plant sciences. A little more difficult to use than a 10x, but still a reasonable choice for a general purpose handlens. Chrome finish.15X triplet hand lens $17.00 including shipping and neck lanyard |
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Value 20X triplet magnifierSame specifications as 10x above. Surprisingly small amount of distortion at edges of image for such a large high magnification lens. As with the 20X B&L lens, very short depth of focus makes it difficult to use, and we recommend only for experienced users. Chrome finish.20X triplet hand lens $18.00 including shipping and neck lanyard |
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Magnifier Selection Guide
- 7X is an excellent choice for 3D objects in biology. Large size and good depth of focus makes it a good choice for teaching hand lens use to youngsters.
- 10X is appropriate for many general science purposes, and can usually be used without removing eye glasses or sun glasses.
- 14X - 15X is about the upper limit for general purposes, and may require removing eyeglasses for use.
- 20X is for specialized purposes, and has very little depth of focus. Using it requires the patience and knowledge of a trained person. It should only be used in addition to, and not in place of, a lower power hand lens.
- See Kooter Sez Hand Lens for more selection advice
Last revision 01/10/2008 |