Discussion: Magnifier for thumb compass

I broke (off & lost) the magnifier affixed (by me, with superglue a year or so ago) to my (left) thumb compass on the way to the fourth control at NAOC. I'd never really been happy with the mounting job and wanted to purchase a compass with the magnifier already mounted. I thought I accomplished that, but was fooled by a website picture; and today I received, via mail, a nice (expensive) Silva magnifier, without a compass. I'd rather not mount it to the Moscow compass I have (left thumb), because it would cover the thumb hole - which I like. I'd like suggestions about either mounting or purchasing one already mounted. I will not be surprised if there is already a thread on this - but I couldn't find it.

Do you have a picture or link to a picture?

(I have a Silva magnifier that I don't bother attaching, just rely on friction)
Here's a link - it is the "Spectra"
(I couldn't find this on O-Store.ca, my preferred online shopping destination ;-)

I'll admit to going through 4 magnifiers... I don't seem to be able to keep them...

I started using these UV safety glasses with magnifier insert this summer for $12:
Dewalt DPG59-120C Reinforcer Rx-Bifocal 2.0 Clear Lens High Performance Protective Safety Glasses with Rubber Temples and Protective Eyeglass Sleeve

I seem to be able to keep them on my head, look down through the bifocal well, get UV protection, and keep sticks from my eyes.

I consider them a win... (Thanks to Carl whose idea I copied)

AZ: yes, the picture you linked (about 10th item down) is the magnifier, ATTACHED to a compass. That is what I thought I was receiving when I ordered it (Amazon - now showing as "out of stock"). I don't like the idea of friction-only and am pretty sure I'd lose it sooner rather than later and that I'd find its moving under my thumb annoying. ccsteve: interesting and cheap Dewalts (they ARE my favorite power tools). I did really like my magnifier, though - very useful to me day 1 NAOC.

The Silva magnifier attachment is inexplicably expensive. It comes with a bracket that slips between thumb and the compass. You need a different one for the LH Spectra, the RH Spectra, or the Race.

The Moscow magnifier is much cheaper. It comes with a post and screw, and the compass has a hole to screw it on. The same magnifier fits all their thumb compasses. A good Moscow stockist should be able to supply.

I use both a magnifier and non-prescription glasses with a cutaway top. Excessive use of the magnifier gives you "tunnel vision".

Gruver said it all! Up till now the Moscompass magnifier combination has been far superior to Silva. I've sold a few Moscompass magnifiers to Silva spectra owners who have drilled a hole in their baseplate.

Having said that, we recently had some Danish junior elites here who claimed that the new Spectra model comes with a hole for fitting a magnifier.
(Simmo)

I recently bought a 60mm (~2.5 inch) magnifying glass from Amazon (which ended up shipping straight from China), and mounted it with parts I found at Hardware City. It's only a little bit bigger than the regular attachments, but boy, what a view! I liked it so much I bought a few more and stocked in the parts to mount them. I'd be happy to send out the whole kit for cost (about $10) plus shipping to anyone who wants one.

TomN - It doesn't exist without pictures!-) [I looked for something like that first] [[Actually, I looked for a 3"x4" block of magnifier to just lay across the page...]]

Pictures are going to have to wait until I get home (a couple weeks), unless I can convince my daughter to take some.

Can you just post the link at Amazon?

Is it this one?

Yes, that's the one.

Thanks everyone. I've attached the (expensive) Silva magnifier to my Moscow left thumb compass, using the small piece of double-sided stickum that came in the cloth case ("made in China") in which the magnifier arrived; and I'll use this setup at a local meet or two before I try some of the inexpensive options mentioned above. Amazing prices on the magnifiers and the Dewalt glasses.

Caution: this magnifier is bogus. They don't stock 60mm, only 50mm. The one Charlie pointed out is good.

If you are looking for a magnifier for the Moscompass, the O-Store has them. Gruver describes them nicely, above. o-store.ca.

Anne, is yours a plastic lens or glass?

I can really recommend the magnifiers from this guy - I have been using them over a year - cheaper than any others I have seen, and if a part breaks, or you need a new part, you get good quick service! http://johanek.wix.com/ekens-sportprodukter