New or old magnifier

Gareth · **on:** June 26, 2009, 04:52:20 PM

Just for a bit of fun this, but it is something that gets a bit of debate going whenever the subject comes up.

For my part I do like them both but feel that the newer one is just ahead on the fact it has a wider field of vision, giving a less distorted view.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #1 on:** June 26, 2009, 04:54:42 PM

I have both and I like the new one more.

It's just so much more user friendly I think

Benner · **Reply #2 on:** June 26, 2009, 05:01:43 PM

I want an "I have the older and have handled the newer but prefer the older" option.

New one just doesn't do it for me I'm afraid.

ducktapehero · **Reply #3 on:** June 26, 2009, 05:03:12 PM

I've never had a chance to use the new one so I don't know if it's better or not. I do think the newer ones look cheaper and a bit tacky.

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #4 on:** June 26, 2009, 05:08:22 PM

I haven't actually used mine. What do y'all use them for?

Gareth · **Reply #5 on:** June 26, 2009, 05:11:55 PM

Quote from: Mr. Whippy on June 26, 2009, 05:08:22 PM

I haven't actually used mine. What do y'all use them for?

They help to make small things look bigger.

Sorry, serious answer is that I don't very often. When I have though it's been to look at bugs with my daughter and to help read some very fine print.

Benner · **Reply #6 on:** June 26, 2009, 05:13:16 PM

Quote from: Mr. Whippy on June 26, 2009, 05:08:22 PM

I haven't actually used mine. What do y'all use them for?

Looking for dry joints on circuit board is what I mostly use mine for.

Gadget Guy · **Reply #7 on:** June 26, 2009, 05:41:12 PM

The new one looks cheap. Maybe I'll try one and I'll have a different opinion.

max6166 · **Reply #8 on:** June 26, 2009, 06:57:18 PM

I only have the old style magnifier and use it often.

I have often wished it was a little less powerful and had a larger reading area though. So I might wind up preferring the new magnifier once I get a chance to try it.

Buzzbait · **Reply #9 on:** June 26, 2009, 07:40:55 PM

I like them both. The performance of the new magnifier is quite excellent, yet the old model is definitely the sturdier of the two.

Mike 56 · **Reply #10 on:** June 26, 2009, 07:53:23 PM

I only have the old style and i am happy with it. But i think i might have to buy a new a Sak with the new style magnifier to try it for my self. I think the old style looks better. I use the magnifier when reloading ammo.
Mike

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #11 on:** June 26, 2009, 08:34:00 PM

I only have the old one right now. I use it for firemaking and looking at naughty things.

skydan · **Reply #12 on:** June 26, 2009, 08:58:54 PM

I have an old one on an Explorer and surprisingly I've found I use it quite often and do find it useful. I hear mixed opinions about the new one though I am curious to find out what it's like for myself.

Craig · **Reply #13 on:** June 26, 2009, 10:41:50 PM

I think the old one looks better but the new one has the edge on performance. I use mine a lot for looking at things like plants and rocks. It's not something I need very often but I get a lot of enjoyment from it.

rp252 · **Reply #14 on:** June 27, 2009, 12:39:00 AM

They both have their merits. I use the new one more often, but I grab the old one if I want the higher mag.

scrappy · **Reply #15 on:** June 27, 2009, 12:56:42 AM

I use them to check print, if it is a PMS or four color process

Neil · **Reply #16 on:** June 27, 2009, 01:03:49 AM

I recommend a SAK with both

I'm Still Bison · **Reply #17 on:** June 28, 2009, 08:29:44 PM

I just like to click poll buttons

I have only the old style,and it's too small for me.

Tsquare · **Reply #18 on:** July 01, 2009, 05:22:52 PM

I like the new for its performance but the old for the snap in has (walk and talk) in the handle.

Paul · **Reply #19 on:** July 17, 2009, 02:04:48 PM

Got to look at the new one in a shop yesterday - and I prefer the old one. Like sombody has already stated, the new one looks like a Christmas cracker job.

tcolling · **Reply #20 on:** July 17, 2009, 05:00:04 PM

I prefer the old style also. The new ones scratch too easily and have a lower magnification power.

I carry a "liberated" old style one on my key chain, as shown below in a "my edc setup" photo from a few months ago.

Gareth · **Reply #21 on:** July 17, 2009, 05:16:19 PM

Maybe it's just the way I carry it, but the magnifier on my Champ hasn't got a mark on it. After all it spends 99% of it's life folded away inside the SAK's body. When I carry my Champ it's in a belt pouch or in my bag so maybe it sees less pocket lint, but then I'm a bit anal about cleaning out my SAKs of lint anyway.

tcolling · **Reply #22 on:** July 17, 2009, 05:33:46 PM

I have the new style magnifier on three or four Vics, including two of SwissBianco's neat-o Yeoman remakes. I edc'd one of the SwissBiancos, and after just a few weeks, the magnifier began showing scratches. YMMV

Gareth · **Reply #23 on:** July 17, 2009, 06:04:09 PM

Quote from: tcolling on July 17, 2009, 05:33:46 PM

I have the new style magnifier on three or four Vics, including two of SwissBianco's neat-o Yeoman remakes. I edc'd one of the SwissBiancos, and after just a few weeks, the magnifier began showing scratches. YMMV

That's a bit of a pity to hear. $:-\$ Sadly for me the one SAK I have with the new mag is the Champ I mentioned above that lives in it's belt pouch. All my other SAKs (that I pocket carry) have the older style. As you say everyone's experience varies.

Freudian Frog · **Reply #24 on:** July 17, 2009, 06:05:48 PM

I've only used an old one and I like the level of magnification.

Sazabi · **Reply #25 on:** July 17, 2009, 07:36:07 PM

My Explorer Plus has the new-style magnifier, while my Yeoman has an old-style model; personally, I like the feel of the old-style better, but the larger field of the newer. One other factor is that the newer model is so much easier to swing out. With that said, I wish I could have the longer in-line phillips with the newer-style magnifier. ^^; Granted, it's not possible, so....

grimm_kaosboy · **Reply #26 on:** July 22, 2009, 07:26:50 PM

I used to have an old styled one, but sadly lost the knife in one too many moves. When I finally got around to getting a new one (and rekindling a long time love affair) it had the new style. It looks like a cheap cracker jack prize or something you'd get for a dime in a gumball machine. Sooooooo disappointed.

It works well, and as I have it in a pouch, its remained scratch free (knocks on wood) but I just perfer the robustness of the old style.

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