Choosing a Magnifier that's Right for You
How Strong Should My Magnifier Be?
Magnifiers are available with different magnification powers. The choice of the right magnifier will depend on the degree of your visual loss, the working distance and viewing area of the magnifier itself. Keep in mind that the higher the magnification power, the smaller the viewing area and the focal distance.
On the other hand, CCTVs (see below) provide strong magnification spread on a much larger field of view.
Magnifiers are measured in terms of their magnification power, normally expressed in number of diopters (D) or by an "X" indicator. A 4D lens magnifies 2X - equivalent to 100% on top of the actual size of the viewed object.
To learn the correlation between magnification power, focal distance
and diopter, and how to find a magnifier that works best for you,
check out this glossary. An optometrist
can also guide you in the right direction.
“Illuminated" vs. "Non-Illuminated" Magnifiers
Illuminated magnifiers come in different types (e.g. handheld, hands-free, etc.); however, for obvious reasons, they are not available for TVs or computers. These require “non-illuminated” screen enlargers that are placed in front of the TV or computer monitor. On the other hand, CCTV magnification systems are considered as “illuminated” since they are connected to a power source.
Types of Magnifiers
A stand magnifier is a type of hands-free magnifier that sits on the viewing object (not to be confused with standing lamp magnifiers).
 Stand Magnifier |
 Standing Lamp Magnifier |
CCTVs are electronic magnification systems
designed for people with moderate to severe visual loss. They
provide powerful magnification adjustable to the user’s needs. They
consist of a TV-like monitor and are excellent for reading fine
print. The reading material is placed on a flat bed and its
magnified image projected on the monitor. They range in price,
normally from $1,000+ to $4,000, depending on the features and
whether they are full color or black and white. These AC powered
units are usually self-contained. If money is an issue, consider
buying a much-cheaper computer mouse-like device that will transform
your regular TV or computer into a CCTV!
Besides CCTVs and computer screen enlargers, magnification software
is also available for PC users.
 CCTV Magnifiers |
 Mouse-like Device |
 Magnification Sofware |
We carry most types of magnifiers: handheld, hands-free, pocket, full-page, etc. These are self-explanatory. If you need a magnifier that is not listed, please let us know.
