Clearsight Optical Device

[3d]

It appears that the Clearsight Optical Device is no longer available. Is there any other manufacturer that makes a clip-on diopter lens for eyeglass wearers?

3d

[JohnD]

I'm not familiar with Clearsight, but Merit makes something:

http://www.meritcorporation.com/index-2.html

[jackh]

Search all over for a good spectacle loupe or jewellers loupe. Then have a good optician provide the exact lens you need.

[3d]

Thanks for the suggestion about the spectacle loupe Jack. I did a search using the term and found that B&L makes a model that looks very much like the original Clearsight with a removable lens.

3d

[Ted Bell]

Also might want to check out Champions Shooters Supply. I got their catalog in the mail yesterday, and they had some clip-ons. I didn't pay much attention to them so I can't give you any details, but I assume they're on Champions website.

-Ted

[3d]

I did a little bit more searching and comparing the advert copy from the old ClearSight to models that I found on the 'net. I found the Behr Optical Model 55 spectacle loop to either be the same frame ClearSight was using or an identical copy. It retails for less than $20 USD and is made in Plymouth, Wisconsin. I obtained one today from a local supplier. The first problem was that the 'loupe as received, has a very unstable temple clamp. It's more suitable to be mounted on a pair of thicker temples with flat tops then thin-templed wireframes. Any attempt to move the arm of the lensholder cause the clip mechanism to rotate and pop off the temple. Another difficulty is that the lens is on a rather long arm with a bend followed by another 10mm that's not shown on thier website image. This places the optic closer to the bridge of the nose with current style eyeglass lens sizes. Raising or lowering the arm can bring the lens a bit closer to the center or the angular portion of the arm can possibly be bent to try and center it some. It can also be shortened about 5mm by rotating the swivel plate 180 degrees. Maybe that's ideal for working with jewlery, but not for my natural point of aim. Short of shortening the lens arm and resoldering it, this isn't a good arrangement for a stance in which the body is more then a right angle from the out-stretched arm. There is some hope that this can be made to work out well. The temple mounting clamp is made of thin, flat metal that could easily be bent by flat-nosed pliers for a better fit.

Here's the url should anyone be interested:

http://www.behrloupes.com/

3d

[jackh]

3d
I used the Clearsight for two of my four Service pistol legs. Then I switched to Champion Olympics. The lens arm shank bends easily if you take care when working it. Try bending it up and aroundabout to position the lens just right.
The spring clamp is a problem to fit some spectacle bows. There are little ears to bend that might help. I did end up placing a small plastic wire tie strategically to hold it in place.
I have two. One I did break the lens arm, but a spot of solder repaired it. It is brass I think.

[3d]

Thanks for the confirmation about the original Clearsight Jack. Those tabs are quite thin and shouldn't be difficult to bend to conform to my glasses. Bending the lens support arm OTOH is going to be another story. On the set that I have, they are already at a right angle, and bending them further isn't going to allow the lens to be moved toward the center much more. For my NPA, the lens needs to be off to the right of center. It may take a few tries, but I'm going to cut the arm right at the angle and solder the wire across the top of the lensholder to start. The lens itself measures about 25mm. That's good news too. There should be some already made diopter lenses in standard pluses for Champion or Knoblock 23-25mm rifle holders.

3d

[Billmack]

3d,

If your still looking for a loupe, contact me. I have a extra you can have.

Regards,

Bill

[zoned]

I took a Merit iris and mounted it to a Behr 55 loupe frame. The loupe's frame clamps are adjustable and with some finesse will hold tight to any spectacle frame. It works much better than I expected. The Behr frame allows for adjustment of the lens/iris arm so it's possible to dial the iris pinhole over your natural view point in your shooting stance. E-me and I'll send photos of the setup.

[jrmcdaniel]

I have an old Clearsight (the new Behr loupe is not as good but may be "good enough") but prefer clip-on (flip-up) reading +1D lenses. I put some "invisible" tape (actually very visible when on a lens) on the left lens so I only see from my right eye. These clip-ons are also available in +.75 (I have one of each). http://shorinternational.com/SafetyGlasses.htm has them. I think they have a $25 minimum so getting +1D and +.75D is a no-brainer.

If you don't wear glasses, you can get +1D safety glasses or plain safety glasses and use the clip-ons.

Best,

Joe

[Guest]

I took a look at the clip-ons. This might be a better idea for what I'm looking for. My interest in the Clearsight/Behr was solely for a alternate set that I could keep in the glove compartment along with a pair of ear plugs or a pair of fold-up headsets. My dominant eye is failing fast and I'm already in +1.0 on my Champions with my last prescription. Would you know of any other similar websites that might have clip-ons that are a bit more customized to popular lens styles such as the sunlass mfgrs? When I chose my last set of eyeware, several of the companies had matching spring-loaded clip-ons that were of much higher quality then the aftermarket variety found in department/chemist/drug stores. I inquired about the possibility of having a frosted non-dominant eye and +.25 dominant eye set made. The cost wouldn't have been too bad, but would have required a special RX from my opthamologist before they could make it.

[zoned]

I took a Merit iris and mounted it to a Behr 55 loupe frame.

FYI, an illustrated folder about this Merit-to-Behr setup was posted in the Files at the Yahoo Free_Pistol group.

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/Free_Pistol