EXPERT ADVICE

Stand magnifiers have the advantage of allowing the user to maintain the correct focal distance because the magnifier has built-in legs or a base that rest on the page; they are therefore always in focus. As a result even if the user has a hand tremor, it makes little difference. They are available in a wide range of magnification (from 2x to 20x). It is also possible to write under the lower power stand magnifiers (up to 6x-8x magnification).

The disadvantage is that they tend to be quite bulky and are therefore not as portable as the equivalent hand held magnifier Due to the short working distance of stand magnifiers of more than 8x magnification, it is sometimes difficult to get sufficient light between the lens and the page.