[sdiy] 3x or 5x Diopter Magnifying Lamp?

[Justin Owen]

Hey all,

I need to get some type of magnification set up for doing SMT work.

I'm not that into the idea of a scope as I worry I won't be able to get it into a position that will be comfortable to work in, I tried a cheap optovisor but the short focus/depth of field was a freakout - i.e. I needed to have the work held right up near my face for it to focus/magnify...

...so I thought I'd try my luck with a magnifying lamp.

Question is - should I be going with 3x or 5x diopter? There's a couple of reasonably priced 3x Diopter models but I can possibly pick up a well-specced 5x Diopter in a couple of weeks.

I'm assuming that a 5x might give me a little more room under the lens for getting tools/irons/hands/etc in to the viewing area...

Thanks in advance,

J