Magnifier Lamp for work bench - Magnification codes explained 2D 3D 5D 8D

[Kiriakos GR]

When shopping for a new magnifier Lamp for workbench, by 95% you might be mislead of actual magnification, of the product that you are buying.

Over the product packaging they are confusing information's, for us not be aware of optics naming.

Dioptre:  A dioptre (British spelling) or diopter (American spelling), symbol dpt or D, is a unit of measurement with dimension of reciprocal length.

Really ?  And how this translates to magnification ?

I got this information below, from such a products manufacturer (Asia).
And here is the complete list:
 
Dioptre  VS  Magnification:
2D (1.5X)
3D (1.75X) Objective size increase  175%
4D (2X)
5D (2.25X)
6D (2.5X)
7D (2.75X)
8D (3X)

---------------------------------------------------------------------

At the year 2010, I did he purchase of my bench magnifier lamp.
https://www.ittsb.eu/forum/index.php?topic=373.0 

Over the carton Box they were printed three options as available.
3D or 5D and or 8D

Back then, the only product available in the store, this was the 3D. 
And today, 16 Years later, I gained the awareness that this is actually an 1.75X Magnification.

Now lets make this information useful, 1.75X Magnification for me, this translates to 180mm distance from the inspected object, for best and sharp focus.
180mm distance as height, this is a limiting factor if you think soldering under the magnifier, but its not that limiting so declare this product as unusable.

If I was shopping today such a product, I would looked for 2D (1.5X) instead.
Because I could use more freely my soldering iron under the lamp.

From the other hand, I do feel somewhat lucky, if I had buy an 5D or 8D?,  then I would  be totally unable to perform any soldering ...

The same rules also apply for headband magnifiers.
But headband magnifiers they have an advantage over a magnifier lamp for work bench.
An magnifier lamp will steal additional 45mm of space due the holder ring for it illumination / lamp.

While a headband magnifier at 1.8X, this would be able to magnify more, and this also aloud s having enough free working space under it.
Because it illumination source ( LED torch) this is on-top of it Dioptre .
 
This detail also explains most user comments, at product reviews.
Anything of higher magnification from 1.8X, and as for example 3.6X this is only for close examination of an object ...  because of the shallow focus distance, this is approximately 110mm. 

Back in time, all electronic component dimensions were larger, an TV repairs technician, him was able to work even with 1.5X magnification.
We are at 2026, and were are forced working under higher magnification.
 
In conclusion, Magnifier Lamp for work bench OR headband magnifier,  you better know their limits up front, so to save your self from disappointments.