Wow, much has changed in the last 18 months! What once was an advanced technology has quickly been left in the dust.

You probably know the story. Fiber optic operatory lights were the latest and greatest. They provided a beam of powerful light with no shadows. Even the name “fiber optics” continues to sound high-tech.

However, they were far from perfect. First being tethered to a light unit is not much of a problem, until you stand up and take a few steps. Plus, the investment you had to commit to if you decided have a light box for each of your operatory rooms.

Many users experienced problems when they rolled over the fiber optic cable with their chair. Others found that the light box likes to eat $150 light bulbs on a regular basis.

Although common for over 30 years LED technology has recently made some amazing progress. LEDs were just used as small lights on your kid’s toy, or something to help you find your key in a dark entryway.

During 2006 the first LED headlights entered the market that could even compete with fiber optic lights. Their greatest benefit is that they are completely portable (no box to hold you back – just a small battery pack).

They are solid state devices (rather than a bulb) with a life of approximately 50,000 hours. If you work 60 hours per week x 50 weeks per year that would equal 3,000 hours, so 50,000 hours is around 16 years in the future. So, the maintence problem was solved.

Plus, the advanced LED designs puts out a light with a pure white color, not with the blue-tinge common with the fiber optic lights.

The Original FireFly LED from SheerVision was one of the front-running designs when released in 2006. It offered all of the advantages of LED lights as I noted at a price just under $700. The only downside was that some users asked for a little more intensity from the light.

So when launch of the FireFly Infinity in February of 2007, it was the first head light for surgeons, dentists, and veterinarians that removed all of the limitations inherent in previous headlight designs.

Brightness (foot candles): 
Standard LED 2,000-3,000 / Fiber Optic 3,000-4,000 / Infinity 7,500+
Note the edge-to-edge consistency and uniformity of the beam produced by the Infinity versus competing lights.

The team at SheerVision has been working hard to demonstrate the benefits to all of this technology while many of our competitors appear to be dependent upon the sales of expensive boxes, cords, and bulbs. Just as flat screen TVs have zoomed past tube based screens, so to will LED technology advance.

SheerVision customers will be of the first to benefit from this technology. With a list price of $995, the FireFly Infinity is hard to beat. It attaches to most brands of loupes or with a headband or to a frame. Plus a 30-day trial period gives you the chance to give it a good test run before making a final committment. However, most everyone who has purchased one wonders how they worked without it.

Will the Infinity be the last head light you will ever need? With its inherent advantages I believe it could very well be, but with technology changing so rapidly, who knows what the future will bring in the next 5-10 years?

If you would like additional information please let the customer service team or I know or click here.

Thanks,

Martin Chaput
SheerVision, Inc.
US/Canada Toll Free (877) 678-4274
International 1 310 265-8918
customerservice@sheervision.com
www.sheervision.com

What is the difference between these $300 loupes and your SheerVision loupes?

There are many companies now importing surgical loupes from China – and that sell them around the $300-$400 range. There are many of them out there. Most are just one-person companies operated on a part-time basis. 

From what I do know about these competitors – their only advantage is on the initial offering price. So, if price is your only concern – go for it.

Please be aware that these companies have to be cutting the corners in several areas of quality and service. This is true especially when it comes to the optics they are offering. Surgical loupe optics are created from many components, with each having a cumulative effect on performance. Some are extremely difficult to get focused. Some claim a 2.5x magnification when they actual performance is much less. Others are extremely heavy in comparison to the loupes offered by SheerVision and the other well-recognized companies in the marketplace.

Here’s a buyers guide for what to look for when purchasing loupes:
A. Optical quality – in addition to what was noted above the optics normally have performance limitations especially in the areas of field-of-view, depth-of-field, and especially weight. If your loupes are not comfortable you won’t wear them and its just money down the drain. 
B. Many of these companies offer a very limited selection of working distances – often just regular and long size. SheerVision offers a short, regular, long, and extra-long version for each of its loupe models. If you find you are not comfortable with your new loupes (you find yourself leaning in to close or leaning too far back) and you will need to replace that loupe model with second model with a different working distance.
C. Some of these companies have a very limited range of frames. SheerVision offers three sizes of its lightweight yet durable titanium frame, along with an oval and a square shape. A one-size-fits-all frame is not really possible. Our SV Sport frame includes adjustments for the height of your nose, and allows for the insertion of prescription lenses, when most of the competitors do not. The front shield is also replaceable if it becomes scratched or damaged.
D. SheerVision offers lens prescription services to those customers that normally wear glasses. If you wear prescription glasses to work today, you will need prescription lenses with your loupes.
F. SheerVision offers customized Through-the-Lens (TTL) loupes. Some companies offer a very poor quality imported one that is not customized to you, but to a few sizes, each of which in a limited number of working distance settings.
F. Loupe-mounted head lights are starting to be the standard of care for most dentists and dental hygienists. Often with a no-name brand you may not be able to find a light down the road that will mount properly to your loupes. SheerVision also offers special deals for loupe and light packages.
G. SheerVision sets the focusing (convergence) for each of our flip-up loupes before the leave us. We do this as we know that is a chore for any user to attempt to set the convergence for each barrel as is true with the low priced loupes.
H. Our latest flip-up hinge designs have proven to be very durable after years and years of continuous improvement. .
I. Make sure your supplier is stable and reputable, as if they go out of business and your loupes need warranty service you will be left in the cold. SheerVision’s technical team can repair damaged loupes within 24-48 hours. 

We also recommend that you take advantage of a trial-period with your new loupes. Make sure they meet your needs for performance and comfort. Again, if you can’t wear your loupes immediately and become comfortable with them during your “break in” period then make sure you get a new set that you can feel great about.

Please feel free to contact us by telephone or e-mail so that we can discuss your needs further and provide you with additional information.

Thanks,

Martin Chaput
SheerVision, Inc.
US/Canada Toll Free (877) 678-4274
International 1 310 265-8918
customerservice@sheervision.com
www.sheervision.com

Welcome to the new SheerVision blog.  This blog will feature some of the latest news and information on the world of loupes and portable head lights used for surgical, dental, dental hygiene, and veterinary uses. 

We look forward to your comments and questions.  As always feel free to contact us through this blog or through e-mail or by phone.

Sincerely,

Martin Chaput
SheerVision, Inc.

US/Canada Toll Free (877) 678-4274
International + 1 310 265 8918
customerservice@sheervision.com
www.sheervision.com