I am an avid coin collector that uses a binocular microscope in the hobby. I also have rather close set eyes. I have just recieved a nice Jenco USA Binocular zoom scope, but alas I can not use it. The eye pieces will not get close enough together for me to see through both eyes. I filed down the outer housing ( see photos ) and removed the travel stops which improved the distance for me, but just not enough. Anyone have any further thoughts on what I can do?
And finally, can you suggest a brand that has a larger range of travel that will work for people like me.
Thanks,
Mark
Hello @markustg09 and welcome to the forum.
You haven’t told us your inter-pupillary distance (IPD) - but no matter. Over time I have made some measurements on ocular heads as well as what is marked on the head. For example:
The Vickers stereo microscope model 608828 has a minimum IPD of 47 mm by my measurement - which is quite small compared to most other microscopes I have seen. I think this also goes by the model name ‘Steros II’ and first introduced from around 1966 - but I am no expert on the history of antique microscopes. I used to use one at work for a while.
For the Olympus BH2 series, the smaller type of binocular head can go down as small as 54 mm but the larger type only as far as 56 mm.
The Leica DMLS has a shortest IPD of 55 mm and Leitz model 512821/20 goes down to 54 mm.
The rotational bino head of a Zeiss standard (from the 1970’s / 80’s) has a minimum IPD of about 55 mm.
The above are based on my measurements so not official figures and may be subject to error. Also since there are several model variants out there you would be best advised to ask the seller or check the official documentation rather than assume the measurements given above are correct. Think of the above only as a guide to point you in the direction you could go to start your own independent research before buying.
I made a video about ocular heads including some basic information about IPD in binocular heads here:
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Thank you for your kind reply! I need to ask my eye doctor what that measurement is, great thought by the way.
