What is the best auto lensometer

[Bimmer Inc]

I am thinking of purchasing an auto lensometer. Does anybody have any suggestions? The only reviews I can find are by the manufacturers and the retailers who are selling the instruments. They are to expensive not to get first hand advice!

Thanks

[chip anderson]

B&L 70 with an experienced eye and hand.

[Nikolay Angelov]

We switched from Zeiss manual lensmeters to all Nidek auto-lensmeters more than 12 years ago.

We still use our first auto-lensmeters and they provide repeatable and consistent measurements (within hundreds of a dioptre).
(we have two LM-990, one LM-990A, two LM-500 and one LM-1200)

The last 3 are the newest and use a 108 points Hartman sensor for the measurements.

Look into the LM-600 if you need a build in printer (or into the LM-500 if you don't)

http://www.nidek-intl.com/products/examination/lm-600pduv.html

PS: Chip, what benefit do you believe a mechanical lensmeter have compared to a quality autolensmeter (other than price)?

[chip anderson]

A lot, including needing an OPTICIAN to operate them. Most automated equipment is designed for operation by incompetent people (of course they are cheaper to hire and often look better).

Chip

[bahaoptic]

topcon is the beter.

[Nikolay Angelov]

You are joking right .

Here every optician is educated in government institution and can not practice without a diploma. You can not sell a frame without the diploma as well (so no frame "stylists" here).
In the school there are mandatory courses and exams on both lensmeters (auto and mechanical).

An automatic lensmeter gives the professional optician:

1. Faster measurement speed
2. Higher accuracy (0,01D)
3. Consistent and repeatable results
4. Ability to measure PAL characteristics (progressive corridor length, rate of progression with graphs, progressive corridor width and more)
5. Many more...

Professionals love better tools.

Btw, a rickshaw need a real Driver. Don't use cars, anyone can learn to drive them... they are destroying the rickshaw business.


Cars suck:


PS: TopCon makes great auto-lensmeters as well.

PS2: Looks like the lens manufacturers are using automated lens measurement tools as well.

http://www.ar.be/index.php?option=com_produits&id=48

I guess it is just so they can hire "incompetent people (of course they are cheaper to hire and often look better)". No other reason at all.

[Barry Santini]

You really need both. Auto for abbe and precision, manual for qualitative, axis and prism
B

[Johns]

Btw, a rickshaw need a real Driver. Don't use cars, anyone can learn to drive them... they are destroying the rickshaw business.


Cars suck:


.

You have destroyed your own argument!

Rickshaw driver = 3 chicks
Car = 0 chicks

The pictures tell it all...

[Nikolay Angelov]

You have destroyed your own argument!

Rickshaw driver = 3 chicks
Car = 0 chicks

touché