I have a Japanese 10X Hastings Triplet Loupe I bought used about 20 years ago, and I have a Belomo 10X Loupe I purchased about 7 years ago. I was looking for some decent, low-priced loupes for a couple of friends, and ran across this LE loupe on Amazon. I was pleasantly surprised for the quality versus price.
The SE is bright and clear, with a very flat field of focus (all the way to the edge). The field of view is superior to my Japanese and Belomo loupes. It is also very comfortable for me to look through for extended periods.
The SE compares nicely with the Belomo, although the Belomo seems to have more resolving power in the very center, it also has more distortion and less field of view.
The SE compares nicely with my 20+ year old Japanese Hastings, although the Japanese version seems to be slightly more accurate regarding color (very, very slight).
I would also like to add that the build quality for the SE appears to be excellent. The rivets are tight, and the lens is mounted tight. I'll be ordering a couple more of these SE loupes for my friends (as originally intended), but I'll be keeping this first SE for myself! The SE represents a fantastic value considering the price paid.
For starters, I purchased this loupe as I was building my finance's engagement ring. I am not a professional jeweler, nor do I have a hobby that requires its use on a daily basis. I can say that I carried this loupe with me for several months while shopping diamonds and the fit, finish and function of the loupe maintained its quality throughout the duration of my search.
The product arrived in a timely manner (perks of shopping with Amazon), and was exactly as pictured on the product listing. The loupe is made of metal and has a very solid feel to its construction. It is accompanied by a leather storage pouch that holds the loupe when not in use. The leather isn't a high quality material, but lets be honest, we're not buying this product for the carrying pouch. The loupe rotates on a metal hinge. The hinge had a nice resistance to it, holding the loupe in place when rotated out in use and keeping the lens tucked behind the guard when stored. The triplet lenses were very clear to my untrained eye, and certainly served their purpose to satisfy my needs. Overall, I think that this a good product for the money. It certainly was a valuable tool that gave me the ability to inspect the diamonds for myself and not just take the salespersons word for it.
(Side Note)
I highly encourage anyone who is making the significant investment in a diamond, to do their homework on what to look for in a stone before they go out into the market to begin their search.
Superb optics, edge to edge, and at a great savings (Chinese manufactured) over a recent model Bausch and Lomb 10x hand lens I replaced with this one. Solid feel, nice case, but I prefer to put in on a neck string anyway. Good hinge action, quite stiff but easily movable, yet stable to pop the lens in and out of the metal holder. Good, even, black paint job over steel case, with black painted aluminum lens housing. Altogether, a terrific tool for antique silver collectors, rock hounds, and geologists. Much more portable, pocket-wise, than the Russian BeLoMo brand, in my opinion. Quality compares extremely well with the classic B&L 7x model I bought 55 years ago in college.
10x is a perfect balance between decent magnification with a wide enough field to use for geological and everyday field use.
While of course this is not a TRUE triplet (those start at around $30) this is exactly what I was looking for. Something inexpensive enough that it wouldn't be tragic if it got lost (this was a gift for my boyfriend who lost his old one) but that was sturdy (metal construction) and did the job well. Despite being only a single thick lens, there really was not much distortion if any around the edges of the lens. I've never actually used a true triplet, but from what I understand that is the main benefit of them - true and accurate magnification with no distortion around the edges of the lens. The case it came with is a nice little leather pouch.
Also, this magnification (10x) is what you're looking for. Anything higher and it will be too powerful. I recommend this product if you're looking for a well functioning, solidly constructed substitute for a true triplet. The price makes it extra worthwhile.
I've used Triplets for years. This one is very clear from edge to edge. Really clear. It comes with a REAL leather case, looks like it, smells like it, is it!
For those of you who don't know, a triplet a more elements in the optics making it clear from one side to the other, no eye strain. A non-triplet is clear in the center but gets fuzzy on is all around the outer edges. Cheaper to make.
If you need or want a triplet, this one is a quality instrument! And... least we not forget, a real piece of a cow surrounds this little beauty! Very tight when you first get it, it will only improve with age in like a comfortable pair of shoes.
Feature Product
- Triplet glass lens for excellent Clarity
- Leather case with snap closure to hold loupe securely
- Three lens bonded together for high defination image
Description
Excellent clarity of the Triplet glass lens (three lenses in a single shell) is a top feature of this quality loupe, but it also has features that will provide convenience and security. If you need a quality 10x loupe for a reasonable price, this is it. If you've never used a loupe of this power, you may wish to know that the viewing distance is very short between the loupe and the eye as well as between the loupe and the object viewed. The center of the loupe is the viewing area.
I ordered this to replace another triplet i lost in a field class for a geology course. This one arrived on time and is very handy. The hing is a little stiff but not so bad that once you use it a few times it doesn't loosen up, and stays stiff enough it isn't constantly falling open. There is a little plastic loop for you to attach a lanyard so you don't lose it easily. The case is a nice touch but depending on the size of the lanyard it may not fit well inside.
The lens has a close viewing range but thats to be expected. Overall it works well and does what i need it to and is a nice design for the price.
For not a lot of money, this is a pretty nice little loupe. The clarity is good and the construction is good. The hinge is stiff enough so that the lens doesn't flop around while you are trying to use it. I had considered more expensive loupes but the reviews were very good for this one and the product photo seemed to show good lens clarity so I went with this one... the photo didn't lie. I'm happy with this purchase.
I work in a fine-jewelery store where we sell a lot of loose diamonds. This is a great loupe! The first one I had wasnt a triplet and was not very easy to see through. After getting this one Im amazed at how clear it is and how many more details you can see. Even the tiny hammer dents in the gold settings. There's no distortion in the lense at all. It even comes in a very nice leather protective case. Looks very nice and professional. Im very happy with this purchase.
Unlike a competitive offering that represented itself to be a 40X LED illumminating loupe made of "optical glass", and which was cheaper (a dead giveaway that that seller was lying), this loupe is as is represented, and a good value when I compare it to loupes I have had over the years. I will buy it again when I lose it - a risk I run when traversing rough building sites.
Sturdy and clear. I use this on a lanyard in the woods, and it stays closed until I use it. I'm not worried about it clanking against the whistle and compass on the same lanyard. Yes, they clank, but the lens stays protected. The included snap-on cover is nice, but I just rely on the metal folding cover so the lens is quick to use. That's protection enough. This lens has been with me for many hours, both when I have been hiking on trails and doing moderately heavy work.
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