Do you prefer the new or old explorer?

[Nhoj]

So I was wondering which is the more preferred version of the explorer? I'm not getting into every specific year here, just basically new or old phillips and mag glass. For those who don't know, the old magnifier is real glass and magnifies more, and the new one magnifies less and is plastic. The old phillips is longer, and the new one is shorter and I've heard someone say the new one is tougher steel? So which is your favorite, the new or old explorer?

[powernoodle]

I subjectively like the older magnifier better, just because it seems to have a little more quality to it.  The newer ones are fine, but look just a little cheapy in my view.  In reality, they perform about the same.


New.


Old.

[PTRSAK]

Old-Skool one for me. (I've got 5 explorers with examples of both)

I prefer the old mag lens and if I manage to damage the Phillips driver by twisting too hard, I should have gone and got a real screwdriver anyway.

[nuphoria]

Old, because I am!

[ducttapetech]

I like the "old one" better. The new one has that big gap between the driver and the mag.

sent from Ducttapetech's roaming device

[AimlessWanderer]

Old - longer Phillips

[Monrogue]

I have the new version and can't speak on the old one.  However, I've been curious how much better the old mag glass is.  The new one does have that "cheap" feel to it, but it does work. 

[J Mackrel Jones]

    "Using a millimeter scale, and looking at a clear zone smaller than a printed letter in the center of the lens, with the viewing eye 17 inches from the scale, in good sunlight, gave these results: new Vic 2.2 mm in view across the lens at max center magnification vs 17 mm actual lens width = 7.7 times magnification; Wenger 2.8 mm in view vs 12 mm width = 4.3 x; old Vic 1.8 mm in view vs 15 mm width = 8.3 x. The new Vic plastic lens has a small flat spot at its center that compromisess its potential maximum magnification."
The SAK Owner's Manual

[Syph007]

Old mag glass for sure, the new one is junk IMO and doesnt belong on a Vic.  I do prefer the steel of the newer phillips though.  It will take much more force before it gets damaged compared to the old one.  Ive ground on both and the new one is for sure harder steel than the old.  I do like the length of the old one though.

[colt 1911]

The old one, just looks and feels better

[enki_ck]

Old - longer Phillips

+1

What the wise man said.

[Farang]

I'm biased. The old gray mag does better, but the new clear mag has a wider view of field, making reading print easier. The new shorter phillips driver on my Yeoman is damaged already, while the longer phillips on my old Swisschamp is holding up better, and has greater reach.

[Kid33]

I like the quality/ build of the Old Mag, but the ability to read over a larger view with the New Plastic Mag has been far more beneficial to me.  I would rather have the Plastic Mag on my EDC.    As far as the Screwdriver, the shorter length is kind of a bummer, but if I understand correctly, the steel is tougher. 

 To be honest, I tried to remove my air filter on my car, and neither one of the screwdrivers were able to loosen the super tight screws to remover the cover.  Both screwdrivers felt like they were starting to bend.    I should have tried the Tinker's bottom driver.. oh well

Out with the old and in with the new I say

[stot]

The old version is my choice. I managed to acquire some pits and scratches on the Yeoman Mag glass I've carried for 16 yrs so I can imagine what a plastic lens would look like. I would probably choose one with a 2.4mm main blade tang and solid cellidor scales to represent a knife from the "good ol days".

[Marius]

Old. I prefer the longer Philips and cannot stand that crummy new all brittle plastic magnifying lens. I already have couple of new ones scratched and fogged up in just a short while while much older gray framed ones are fine after decades of use.

[magentus]

I've got to agree with most everyone so far and say the old one. My daughter found me one for my birthday which needed a little TLC and it's now my EDC - Absolutely brilliant.

[mashguy4077]

Old. I prefer the longer Philips and cannot stand that crummy new all brittle plastic magnifying lens. I already have couple of new ones scratched and fogged up in just a short while while much older gray framed ones are fine after decades of use.

Yeah. It really saddens me that Victorinox dropped the cool old style with real glass for the new cheaper looking and feeling plastic magnifier 


I hope they didnt do it just to save a few cents.

I just got my first Swisschamp from sir_mike today in the mail, and it has the old style glass which I am very happy about.

[nervium]

better mag glass, of course the old one.

[Nhoj]

Now the choice is harder
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=45331
They are now making the same plastic one but in glass. This means you are now choosing between magnifications not materials.

[nervium]

i read that topic, victorinox has no decision about the magnifier