Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: Best Manual Lensometers

  1. #1
    Rising Star
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Edmonton, AB, Canada
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    78

    Best Manual Lensometers

    Can anyone recommend some good ones? Has anyone heard of Speedway SD-175 or is it some crazy off brand? Thanks!

  2. #2
    OptiBoard Professional Kujiradesu's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Hudson Valley, NY/ Northern, NJ
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    157
    Quote Originally Posted by Trina View Post
    Can anyone recommend some good ones? Has anyone heard of Speedway SD-175 or is it some crazy off brand? Thanks!
    Marco LM-6E and the unsinkable B&L 70.

    The B&L 70 can be brought back from the brink so if you have some time and patience you can get parts and restore it to working condition after buying it for a bargain.

    The LM-6E is just an all-around good machine. It has a prism compensation ring, and its the last model that they used good materials on. Later models are made of a chinsy plastic that feel like you could break in half if you sneeze hard enough. Hope that was helpful.
    Optical Cross: n. crucifixion apparatus used by the New Jersey State Board.

    "It is not knowing, but the love of learning, that characterizes the scientific [person]." -Charles Sanders Peirce

    "A concept is a brick. It can be used to build a courthouse of reason. Or it can be thrown through the window. -Gilles Deleuze

  3. #3
    Rising Star
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Edmonton, AB, Canada
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    78
    Yes, thank you! That was super helpful! :)

  4. #4
    Ghost in the OptiMachine Quince's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Sebago ME
    Occupation
    Optical Laboratory Technician
    Posts
    1,172
    Our Marco is considered our better lensometer. We have a 2nd one that is some no-name from China. The Marco is much better constructed and reads a higher range of power but the knock-off is actually more accurate. It is also considerably newer. I will not attempt to adjust the Marco- I just compensate the difference in my head.
    Have I told you today how much I hate poly?

  5. #5
    Rising Star
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Edmonton, AB, Canada
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    78
    Thanks! I was wondering about the no-name brands.
    Quote Originally Posted by Quince View Post
    Our Marco is considered our better lensometer. We have a 2nd one that is some no-name from China. The Marco is much better constructed and reads a higher range of power but the knock-off is actually more accurate. It is also considerably newer. I will not attempt to adjust the Marco- I just compensate the difference in my head.

  6. #6
    Ghost in the OptiMachine Quince's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Sebago ME
    Occupation
    Optical Laboratory Technician
    Posts
    1,172
    Quote Originally Posted by Trina View Post
    Thanks! I was wondering about the no-name brands.
    The biggest issue we have run into with that one is the bulb isn't really held in place by anything and has had to be resoldered over time. It is quite finicky, but if you keep it nice and stable, is quite easy to read.
    Have I told you today how much I hate poly?

  7. #7
    Rising Star walleye's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Lansdale, PA
    Occupation
    Optometrist
    Posts
    353
    The American Optical 603B lensometer and the B&l Model 70 are the best. They are heavy duty and will last a life-time. Look on ebay and you might find a used one.

  8. #8
    Rising Star
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Edmonton, AB, Canada
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    78
    Quote Originally Posted by walleye View Post
    The American Optical 603B lensometer and the B&l Model 70 are the best. They are heavy duty and will last a life-time. Look on ebay and you might find a used one.
    I've found two of the AO 603B but I can't tell if they have a prism compensator. Do you know if they do? The seller hasn't responded to me. Thanks!

  9. #9
    Rising Star walleye's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Lansdale, PA
    Occupation
    Optometrist
    Posts
    353
    I think there is a retainer to put in prisms for prism compensation. I'll look tomorrow at the office.

  10. #10
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Gold Supporter
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Maryland
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    2,103
    I have a Marco LM101 and it is a tank. Definitely no chinzy plastic pieces in this thing and I got it about 6 months ago. I love it. Super accurate.

  11. #11
    Rising Star
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Edmonton, AB, Canada
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    78
    Quote Originally Posted by walleye View Post
    I think there is a retainer to put in prisms for prism compensation. I'll look tomorrow at the office.
    Thanks! The seller is being less than cooperative with his responses. Honestly, just for that reason I think I'll purchase elsewhere.

  12. #12
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Gold Supporter
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Maryland
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    2,103
    Quote Originally Posted by Trina View Post
    Thanks! The seller is being less than cooperative with his responses. Honestly, just for that reason I think I'll purchase elsewhere.
    #facebook stick to optiboard, the truth ALWAYS floats to the top

  13. #13
    Rising Star
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Edmonton, AB, Canada
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    78
    Is the Topcon LM-25 a good lensmeter?

  14. #14
    Master OptiBoarder
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    In Flux
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    1,615
    A B&L model 70 is the best in my opinion. 2nd best is the Marco LM - 101. However the B&L is the better choice.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Manual Lensometers Available $295.00-$700.00
    By Medguy1 in forum Optical Marketplace
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 03-27-2024, 01:47 PM
  2. Lensometers
    By va_optikal in forum General Optics and Eyecare Discussion Forum
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 03-25-2008, 04:07 PM
  3. Various Lensometers
    By Chabear703 in forum Ophthalmic Optics
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 08-11-2006, 01:01 PM
  4. Lensometers
    By Darla48mc in forum General Optics and Eyecare Discussion Forum
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 10-28-2005, 02:25 AM
  5. Automated vs manual lensometers
    By harry888 in forum General Optics and Eyecare Discussion Forum
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 12-22-2003, 10:46 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •