Satechi ReadMate LED Desktop Magnifier with up to 5X Magnification - Carrying Case Included (Black)

I received this today and was pleasantly surprised. It is a handsome, nice quality aluminum. It's very nicely finished with no sharp edges. The lens is clear and the LED lights work very well, with no dark or shadowy areas in the viewer. It has a nice heft to it, but it's not heavy. The hardcover case it comes in and the polishing cloth are a very nice touch to keep it clean and dust free when not in use. By pressing on the outer ring to turn it on and off, I find this a very well thought out design.

Too early yet to give it 5 stars, so call it 4 stars with a bullet. This is a very elegant tool. I bought it to use with my compact edition of the Oxford English Dictionary (you know--the ones the Book of the Month Club used to hand out for a pittance to induce people to join up). The magnifier is perfect for that-- it covers the width of an entire column, although even with the 5x magnification the OED print is none-too-large. The light is an even beautiful white, perfect for reading, with no hot spots. It couldn't be easier to operate--just activate a small switch in the interior--then just press down on the silver ring to activate the light. The light stays on until you press the ring again. No need to turn the interior switch off--it seems to be there only if you want to make sure the light can't be accidentally activated. The magnifier is hefty and solid. It feels good in the hand as it glides smoothly over the paper. And--did I say this--it's quite elegant. It comes with a very nice semi-hard shell carrying case and a polishing cloth. All in all, it seems as though the people at Satechi knew what they were doing when they developed this gem. Time will tell whether the obvious craftsmanship holds--I'm betting that it will.UPDATE: After using the device for awhile, I have changed my rating from four to five stars. It has performed flawlessly over and over, and it still serves my needs perfectly. It is a pleasure to look at, to hold, and to use. I like it so much, in fact, that I bought a second--this one to use at work.

I love this light helps me with small print reading…. While you r at it, add another star total of 6!!

Looking for the best magnifier to use with maps... and maybe for the FAA Part 107 exam? Then look no further, this is the one to get. It comes with a super-nice case that is semi-rigid and has a buttery smooth zipper. It includes a microfiber cloth and the batteries (two CR2016) installed. You simply remove the plastic insulator tab from the battery compartment and click the internal switch to ON and it's ready to go. The lens is large and measures 2-3/4 inches in diameter. The construction of the magnifier is anodized aluminum and is fairly light for the size-- that makes it easy to use but it's still heavy enough to hold your book open as a paper weight, if needed. To activate the light you then push down on the finely milled silver ring and you get a perfect illumination of the surface beneath the magnifier. No shadows and no hot spots. To turn the light off you simply push down again on the silver ring. The clarity of the optic is excellent and more than adequate for reading purposes. Most everything is in clear focus and it's big and easy to see! I tried the basic "dome" style acrylic magnifiers but without perfectly placed lighting they are dark and not usable. This one is probably the best of the illuminated ones available. Your search is over-- get this one. You will be glad you did.

I am really impressed by the quality of the item. The body is solid and optics is really good. It's a distortion free glass lens with ~ 2.75" clear opening. The LED's work extremely well. Look at the pictures. They were taken in an average brightness room, looking at my coastal navigation charts. The LED illumination makes a huge difference.The item also serves as a paper weight, holding the chart down and it slides very smoothly over the surface. It comes with a nice semi-hard zipper closure case (similar to some suitcases).I knocked off one star because, as good as it is, it's a bit too pricey. I would have given it 10 stars if it were under $15.It also uses a relatively unusual button battery type. I'll need to buy spares just for this unit. I wish they used a more standard battery.Nevertheless, I will keep the item and recommended to others because it does its job well.

Was perfect for all the coins, small writing, stickers and thorns

This magnifier is simply and elegantly designed, and makes clear and bright what was formerly illegible. It is very sturdy, but can come apart if dropped from a sufficient height onto a hard floor. This happened to mine. The lens was not damaged, but unfortunately the person who dropped it popped the retaining ring back in without the lens. I couldn't then figure out how to remove the ring without damage in order to install the lens. When I asked Satechi customer support for advice, they determined that my magnifier was still under warranty and quickly sent me a new one without charge. I could not be happier.

This is a high quality magnifier. Its lens is sharp. Lighting is even and just the right brightness. The on/off switches are smooth and precise. It's well made. The lens is at the right distance above a page for perfect focus, but it still works well handheld when needed.