[Closed] Special specs? Fine detail and bike work

Get a proper eye test and glasses, I had trouble with small stuff in low light situations (like small screws etc as you said) have a couple of pairs of glasses for £80 and no issues now. Only use them when I need to.

I need reading glasses so got a cheap pair from Specsavers, last week I sat on them and they broke. So I went to local indie optician he recut the lenses into the cheapest Oakley frames. I really didn't want to shell out 100 quid but seriously, they are so comfortable and actually stay on my face rather than slipping down my nose.

So buy cheap buy twice...

Hilarious.
Special glasses that are measured properly, made to your prescription then fitted to your head.
From £19 at an actual opticians, it’s what we do.

If you know you have astigmatism, I can't think why you would consider anything but prescription glasses! I've got a pair of swimming goggles done to my basic prescription and no astigmatism correction, I can recognise people and read signs when they are nearby, but they are terrible compared to a proper pair of prescription glasses.

A lot of employers will give you eye test vouchers, and if you need them for work you might even get the glasses free.

The cheapskate answer if it's only for a few minutes to get in close and get high detail is to put 2 pairs of cheap readers on at the same time. You'll see a lot of fine detail workers do this all the time.

If you know you have astigmatism, I can’t think why you would consider anything but prescription glasses! I’ve got a pair of swimming goggles done to my basic prescription and no astigmatism correction, I can recognise people and read signs when they are nearby, but they are terrible compared to a proper pair of prescription glasses.

Yeah but my cheap £30 for 5 pairs I can read "normal" stuff. Certainly down to 6pt easily and anything over arms length I'm, still fine. [last test it was still 20/20though I learned it can be better than 20/20]

I seem to often fall asleep wearing glasses as well so I don't wear my prescription ones for reading in bed anyway.

A lot of employers will give you eye test vouchers, and if you need them for work you might even get the glasses free.

Yeah, mine went to a lot of trouble circumventing paying for glasses.
Last set of prescription ones I got I specifically asked for screen work only (as the last set before they argued I can use for recreational reading so wouldn't pay) but they refused to pay that as well.

They cost quite a lot and they are already 2yrs on at the limit of reading 6pt unless I stick on a table. In fact I paid for 2 pairs but left the receipt out after collecting the 1st and it got thrown away so never got the 2nd pair.
Still, they sent me a reminder last week so perhaps I can trick them into sending me the receipt and I can maybe cash-in the3 2nd pair?

The cheapskate answer if it’s only for a few minutes to get in close and get high detail is to put 2 pairs of cheap readers on at the same time. You’ll see a lot of fine detail workers do this all the time.

Bloody amazing ... that works brilliantly.
I have some headphones of my kids I need to do with VERY fine internal wires I need to solder... (what prompted the OP).

They cost quite a lot and they are already 2yrs on at the limit of reading 6pt unless I stick on a table.

Likely linked to the fact your wearing the wrong prescription when doing close work.

You don't need to spend *alot* to get the correct prescription. There's no real excuse.

Unless just for a cheap bodge, if you need to wear glasses for any length of time then a proper prescription is a very good idea.
Cheap off the shelf glasses are straight forward +n for both lenses and that is all they do.
Each of my eyes needs a different strength lens and they are also made to be most effective at a specific distance (neither of which comes with a £5 pair from the petrol station)

Likely linked to the fact your wearing the wrong prescription when doing close work.
You don’t need to spend *alot* to get the correct prescription. There’s no real excuse.

Each of my eyes needs a different strength lens and they are also made to be most effective at a specific distance

Well that's sorta the point, if I need multiple sets it's soon more expensive and I assume each one needs a separate eye test paying for.

Meanwhile I'll no doubt lose them or fall asleep wearing them or fall on them in my bag on the bikes...

It's not like its a one off and the sort of recurring payment I try and avoid.
I currently need to solder the hair thick wires on the headphones so I reckon the two sets trick should do for that... and in the new year i need to pull apart my iPad and change the charging port.

I was wondering about this sort of thing ...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/283689922690?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28

Robertpb

The cheapskate answer if it’s only for a few minutes to get in close and get high detail is to put 2 pairs of cheap readers on at the same time. You’ll see a lot of fine detail workers do this all the time.

This is even more awesome than I initially thought.
I've got a pair with broken frames I fell asleep in so I'll take the lenses out and mount to one of the Amazon glasses at a short focal length. Just tested and it works brilliantly.

@robertpb

Awesome, I finally got round to pulling the old glasses apart and sticking the lenses on the front of a pair of the amazon glasses.
The headphones are now fixed soldered the 0.something mm tiny wires no problem... plus I now have the close work glasses.

All plastic lenses so not even heavy.

I stuck them with tape but I think I'll run some hot gluestick over and make them permanent and see if I can repair the watch I've had not working for ages.

Well that’s sorta the point, if I need multiple sets it’s soon more expensive and I assume each one needs a separate eye test paying for.

No, your prescription (if current and valid) is your prescription. Opticians use it to make glasses that work properly with your eyes.

But it sounds like you've sorted the detail issue.
What about gaffa tape to keep the other ones on your face? It's a crap idea, but it IS cheap. And that seems to be the biggest factor here...

No, your prescription (if current and valid) is your prescription. Opticians use it to make glasses that work properly with your eyes.

But it sounds like you’ve sorted the detail issue.
What about gaffa tape to keep the other ones on your face? It’s a crap idea, but it IS cheap. And that seems to be the biggest factor here…

I don't have a valid prescription...If they wanted repeat custom they would have told me BEFORE it expired.

Yes cheap is good as I'm the one paying NOT the one being paid.
I'm guessing you're an optician .. so great if people want to pay you.
Same with tailors or bike repairs. I buy my clothes at supermarkets, I fix my own bikes and car as much as I can...but there is no need to look down on people who have less money or just want to spend it differently.

The cheapskate answer if it’s only for a few minutes to get in close and get high detail is to put 2 pairs of cheap readers on at the same time. You’ll see a lot of fine detail workers do this all the time.

I saw the clock repairer on The Repair Shop do exactly this.

I’ve been struggling in low light with very small things for a while. I had to resort to The Wife’s reading glasses when putting a screen protector on my new phone. It’s either time for reading glasses, head mounted flood lights, or trombone arms.

or trombone arms

Yeah, once you're arms aren't long enough not much you can do.
The annoying issue once you do is doing bike stuff out on the trail. It wasn't too bad when I could still see at arms length but now I can't focus on anything less than my arms so seeing the bolt from afar then once I can touch it it's just a blur. Helps to memorise the order of stuff on a multi-tool. Annoyingly the allen keys go 1.5,2,4,8,8 and the 3 is on the other side.

I’m guessing you’re an optician .. so great if people want to pay you.

<Klaxon> Wrong, have another guess.

If you dont have a prescription then yes, you will need to get one (others have suggested that your employer may need to pay for this. I'm entitled to one every 2 years - no idea how common that is?).
But you dont need one for every pair of glasses.

I'm not looking down on anyone - least of all for their financial status. I guess I *am* just really confused at to why you wont even consider going to see an optician. One has posted earlier saying that they do glasses from £19 a pair!
But I have the same confusion when people follow health advice from some random on the internet rather than a qualified medical professional - and that's pretty common so I guess I must be missing something.

As you dont seem to care for my gaffer tape idea, how about one of those neoprene straps that kayakers and the like use - they attach to the arms of the glasses and hold then tight on your head. Should stop them shifting too much when you are working on the bike.

Here you go: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/neoprene-retention-strap-mh-acc-160-black/_/R-p-11780
99p! Can't see you getting one too much cheaper than that.

Doesn’t the NHS cover tests and cheap glasses?

I’d rather have something that I can trust will look after my eyes. If you strain them you might find they deteriorate further and leave you in a very tricky spot as a blind old giffer.

NHS will cover it if you are receiving benefits such as income support, universal credit, and do so every two years.
The other important thing is light level. Stick a head torch on- makes a Huge difference.
The other thing you can do is use a two lens system- wear the ready readers and use a magnifying glass for super fine detail ie half mm lines on a gauge.
Even my fancy varifocals struggle in poor light, and trying to look at things in odd positions. This thread has actually prompted me to knock up some workshop specs- just basic readers (to my prescription obvs). Handy for DIY as well when you don’t want to wreck a nice pair of specs.

If the requirement is only for very detailed work now and again (soldering very fine wires) then just get one of those magnifying glasses with light surround on a stand. Provides the magnification and the light required to see anything.

This sort of thing

Wrong, have another guess.

If you dont have a prescription then yes, you will need to get one (others have suggested that your employer may need to pay for this. I’m entitled to one every 2 years – no idea how common that is?).

But that's the point I don't need a prescription I can buy reading glasses off Amazon or at the supermarket.
My employer refuses to pay unless I can prove I don't use the glasses for anything but work.

I’m not looking down on anyone – least of all for their financial status. I guess I *am* just really confused at to why you wont even consider going to see an optician. One has posted earlier saying that they do glasses from £19 a pair!

£19 plus the examination when I can get 5 pairs for £25. Either way £19 is 2x new chains or a new shirt etc. and my current glasses let me read the main issue is probably because I wear them on the end of my nose when driving so I can read the sat nav or speedo so perhaps I just need to fit one set for working on the bikes etc. and keep them for that.

But I have the same confusion when people follow health advice from some random on the internet rather than a qualified medical professional – and that’s pretty common so I guess I must be missing something.

It's not health advice it's just being able to read shit and see screws and wires.

Here you go: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/neoprene-retention-strap-mh-acc-160-black/_/R-p-11780
99p! Can’t see you getting one too much cheaper than that.

Exactly the sort of thing I was looking for .. thank you.

cakeandcheese

I’d rather have something that I can trust will look after my eyes. If you strain them you might find they deteriorate further and leave you in a very tricky spot as a blind old giffer.

I've just got to last <10yrs then my kid will be in Uni, my mum will have passed away and I'll be 63 and done.

I don't plan on sticking about and developing Alzheimer's and ending up in a nursing home like my father so I don't pay dentists, opticians etc. anymore as I aim to be gone by then.

The other thing you can do is use a two lens system- wear the ready readers and use a magnifying glass for super fine detail ie half mm lines on a gauge.
Even my fancy varifocals struggle in poor light, and trying to look at things in odd positions. This thread has actually prompted me to knock up some workshop specs- just basic readers (to my prescription obvs). Handy for DIY as well when you don’t want to wreck a nice pair of specs.

Yeah I had a wrecked frame anyway ... it was only held together by some hot glue so basically just added those lenses to my amazon ones.
The results are actually way better than I expected... headphones are back together and working for a bit of solder and a bit of glue stick.

But that’s the point I don’t need a prescription I can buy reading glasses off Amazon or at the supermarket.

You do need a prescription. Its just that you are guessing what that prescription is and buying lenses with that guess in it. As others have said an eye test is £20, if your employer wont pay for it, that doesn't strike me as a huge price to have a professional properly test your eyes and give you an accurate prescription. You dont have to buy any glasses from them, you can take your prescription and be on your way and buy whatever solution you choose.

Im not an optician but I am a glasses wearer and dont think that £20 every couple of years is a lot of money to know what prescription will help you see as well as possible.

We do also save people’s sight and detect brain tumours and other bad stuff.

You do need a prescription. Its just that you are guessing what that prescription is and buying lenses with that guess in it.

Well, I mean I don't need a piece of paper..I can either read something or not.

As others have said an eye test is £20, if your employer wont pay for it, that doesn’t strike me as a huge price to have a professional properly test your eyes and give you an accurate prescription

No alone its not but then I need glasses, chains, cassettes, tyres etc.
I can say the same for a brake bleed or fork service etc. etc..
To me it's like buying an Eagle drivechain because once a blue moon you need a 50T cog or the difference between 2 cogs is slightly less vs living on a mahoosive hill where you use it every evening. 95% of my use is just reading... so I'll find a way to cope with the other 5% even if it's suboptimal just like I'll push 100m if I have to.

Im not an optician but I am a glasses wearer and dont think that £20 every couple of years is a lot of money to know what prescription will help you see as well as possible.

It won't be as "well as possible" for 2 years... (and mostly I just need to read) not see as well as possible.

The annoying issue once you do is doing bike stuff out on the trail.

Sir will be wanting a pair of "bifocal" safety glasses - they're plain plastic lenses with a reading "insert"

Sir will be wanting a pair of “bifocal” safety glasses – they’re plain plastic lenses with a reading “insert”

Not sure I'd get used to that .... though perhaps when I can't make out the satnav (phone) well enough it might be good though. I find the whole split thing a bit disorienting but perhaps I'd get used to it.

Present requirements seem OK carrying cheap glasses in a hard case.. and then once they get scratched too much swapping them. It's more remembering to take them I struggle with at my age. I remember when I pack a multi-tool but places like bike parks where I don't I forget I won't be able to use the tools provided easily.

Last time though it was solved by my mate doing it for me 😉