UltraOptix Linen Tester Loupe

• Compact and easy to carry and store
• Great for definitives and smaller stamps

• Can't use it for commemoratives without holding it

• Solid Plastic Construction
• Powerful Magnification
• Handy Measuring Frame

Stamps are small and highly detailed pieces of art. These details are often critical to properly identifying them. Any tool that can help do this, especially as our eyes grow older, is a good thing.

The UltraOptix 5x Linen Tester Loupe is offers a vision enhancement solution beyond the standard magnifying class. It consists of a magnifier lens connected by a crosspiece, to a plastic frame. The frame has measurement markings from 0 to 1 inch, and 0 to 25 millimeters. It collapses for easy storage and carrying.

Set stationary on the work surface, the Loupe is wonderful for examining definitives or any stamp under 1 inch by 1 inch in size. The 5x magnification brings out a lot detail and the whole apparatus is quite stable.

One slight drawback is that for any stamp bigger than the frame you will have to hold the Loupe in order to use it, in order to avoid the risk of damaging the stamp with the device itself. That makes it more like a magnifying glass which isn't horrible, but the convenience of the measuring frame is diluted somewhat.

But that is the only major issue with the Loupe and I would recommend it as a handy tool for examining your collection.