ProsKit MA-016 Headband Magnifier - Latest product design upgrade at 2024

[Kiriakos GR]

ProsKit MA-016 Headband Magnifier, this appears to be an all-times classic, as overall product design.

Product release this was at 2014, according to it product blister.
https://www.prokits.com.tw/Product/MA-016/
But something when wrong, when this product came at EU, and this shown as extremely overpriced 
This poor choice at retail pricing, this killed demand.

But something changed at 2024 in Taiwan, and today this stock of ProsKit MA-016 (2014) this is now sold at reasonable price, at 13 Euros with Tax included.

Long story in sort version ... ProsKit this made a significant change at MA-016 Headband, there is some sort of a new designed leather part equipped with soft cushions .
The new product will feel as less slippery, and or it will feel as more stable when is in use.

Now at December 2025, importers and retail chain, both feel under pressure, so the old stock to get sold with priority.
   
Personally, I always made thoughts getting one, and I was always changing my mind at the last minute.
Today I am facing a new dilemma.   
Should I grab the opportunity of old stock clearance?
Should I wait, for a few months, until latest revision arrival?

My positive pack of thoughts, ProsKit Headband Magnifier this is a wearable item, regarding hygiene and safety, I do not  have any doubt, that entire pack of products certifications they are true and valid.
Magnifier elements quality, overall product build quality, all are verified and signed by ProsKit Taiwan.

Within all this new puzzle, the only stable parameter, this is that I can have one MA-016 (2014) at 16 Euros shipped at my door, in 24 Hours if I choose it.   

[overvolt]

I will suggest that getting the latest version, this would be a wiser choice.  I am simply thinking, that the newer this would assist at better blood circulation, and at less generated heat at the skin. 
( Greek summer)

ProsKit this waited for ages, so to improve this product design.
But its a good thing that they did.

 

[Kiriakos GR]

Few days ago, I did send a message at ProsKit.
The only way securing that I get the latest version, this is buying directly from Taiwan.

But here we have and another problem, shipping costs of Taiwanese post office, these were always unreasonable. 
After the holidays, I will talk with the Greek importer, so to discover more details.

[Andrew-88]

Just spotted, and a second major change at the NEW rev.
Both side adjustable knobs to fix angle, they are now much larger.   

In summary they changed or added:
1) leather part equipped with soft cushions
2) New type of adjustable knobs, not actually identical to its other.   

[Kiriakos GR]

Just spotted, and a second major change at the NEW rev.
Both side adjustable knobs to fix angle, they are now much larger.   

Indeed !!
ProsKit they should baptize this as MA-016B
They acting stupid since the beginning of time (2001 = belt strap clip), three product revisions under a single product model. 

[Andrew-88]

I will add and another choice as food for thought.

At the other side of the pond, this seems to be their popular choice.
Originally an American design, this has be copied by the Chinese.
Now the Chinese they overcharge the Americans  , by selling synthetic lens, three times higher than other similar products.

[Kiriakos GR]

I had recently direct communication with Pros KIT, Greek importer, and the representative, Mr. S. Ydraios.

He notified me of a few more retail local sources (in my city), that I can ask for pricing information.
And I did succeed getting a better deal, at 15€ and pick up of the product, when this arrives at the local store (in a week time or so).
I did accept, getting the last known product revision, mostly because I am fully capable to tweak it upon my taste. 

And therefore, a Headband Magnifier as assistance for soldering alone, this will be soon solved.

At the same time I was also exploring and a second need, this is low magnification with 70 Centimeter of field of view.
So to able to see as partially magnified the readings of my test equipment, mostly of the screen of my Oscilloscope.
But there is not any single product, this able to offer assistance at both applications. 

Economy class of magnifiers, they might deliver 55 centimeter as best field of view (Focus point), but even this level of performance, this is short according to my expectations or needs.
I think that I might find a better solution, if I visit a local optics store. 

[Kiriakos GR]

By this message, I will share a product review comment from Sergey Z. (Russia).

January 18, 2022
Pros:  Convenient adjustable clamp. Good build quality. Doesn't creak, wobble, or slip off your head. Odorless plastic.

Cons: When using two lenses (2.6), you need to give your eyes a few seconds to adjust and adjust your head position to get the focal length right.
I've gotten the hang of it. It doesn't cause any discomfort.

Comment:
I use it without removing my glasses. It's very helpful in my work. I recommend it for small jobs. Not for nighttime forest travel. The flashlight is not a spotlight.

Bought for: For small jobs (soldering, marking, drilling with a micro drill).

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I do kill time by reading reviews from all around the globe 
And I do consider the above review, as detailed and well focused, for us interested for soldering work.   

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Technical specifications:
Lens material: Acrylic resin. (Processed by crack-proof rigid coating)

magnification
 with one lens - 1.8X
 with two lenses - 2.6X
 with three lenses - 5.8X

Round  lens diameter =  28 mm
Lens diameter No. 2 and No. 3 = 89x29 mm
Packaging Weight: 285 Grams

Attached Original PDF, Pros'Kit MA-016 of 7-2015

[Kiriakos GR]

A little more detective work ....  who is the actual partner of ProsKit about these products?

They are more than five factories in China, them manufacturing similar products. 

Srate Optical Instrument Co., Ltd.  This is our guy. 
Srate this gained CE certification, and at 2024 this shown in Germany, as Optical components and materials producer.
https://www.optatec-messe.de/en/Exhibitor-Index/58908-nanyang-srate-optical-instrument-co---ltd/

About the upcoming revision of MA-016,  this named as No:81007A3 or MG81007A3
This is something different, this using 2X + 2X lens.
This is more an tool for mobile phone repairs.
Indeed it might comes with minor exterior changes (upgrades), but it comes also with the disadvantage of 2X lens, this making it lesser compatible for hand soldering with a standard sized soldering iron.

Personally I feel much better now, the currently available Pros Kit MA-016, this is more compatible to my own work style / expectations.
And I am glad that I ordered, this specific tool. 


About the Srate product, this named as No:81007A3 or MG81007A3, this is now imported in Russia and Poland. 
It comes as unbranded.
Bellow they are few pictures of it.
Srate website, this is not updated since 2002, so there is no official page, of what is distributed due Pros Kit.

In the positive side of things, Pros Kit MA-016 this is manufactured by a serious company, and the quality of the lens this is warranted.
These 1.8X lens, they include exterior protector film, 5H rate of hardness.
Another strong point of this product design which won my preference, the primary lens this is mechanically protected due the black surrounding box.
This translates to longevity and to easy storage.
Entire product this is washable, by liquid soap and a soft sponge (all other chemicals they are forbidden).

Now I am very interested to get close up photographs, of ProsKit MA-016 Pivot screw assembly.

[Andrew-88]

Are we going to see soon unboxing of MA-016  EU. Import ?    

With priority, I am looking forwards for your own confirmation of it actual focus distance at 1.8X

Indeed its not worth the risk, getting such a product as no-name.
I got a no-name handhold magnifier few years ago, and today it plastic handle this started melting, decompose.

Getting the product from authorized importer, it is a wiser choice, because ProsKit packaging this is not that hard to be replicated by copycats.

[overvolt]

Now that this article it is complete of facts, I will retract my suggestion in favor of latest (soft headband) product design.
 
I did some web search of my own around the globe, ProsKit brand this does not have an all-around Europe market share.
In Germany for example, ProsKit this does not have any sales network.
From the other hand Conrad Electronic this distributing only the poorly designed Headband Magnifier products, which you may also find at Aliexpress.
I think that consumers of Poland and Russia they should be more careful, in these countries they are traces of plenty no-name imported goods.

There is no need to say that Kiriakos his has a talent at products evaluations, if he approves or likes a product, then this is a major vote of trust.
If I was the Greek importer, I would give at Kiriakos two free samples, and I would demonstrate support at this Blog.

[Kiriakos GR]

I do expect product arrival in 24 hours, according to local shop owner, and his latest offered information.
Yes I will add photographs of product details that I consider of importance.

They are two major details that no one else ever paid attention.
1) ProsKit MA-016 Pivot screw assembly, of what material these parts are made of? 
Screw, tension washer, main washer, Nut.

2) At the LED light, is the LED diode of special type?  This assisting at the demonstration of accurate colors?
Agilent Technologies U1176A Led Flashlight, this was designed assisting at the demonstration of accurate colors, of wires.
Of equal importance this is accurate review of color codes of resistors.

Regarding product authenticity and poor made knockoff
Attached bellow a photograph of poorly made replica, even the metal nut this is poorly machined.
Even the photograph (above) of knockoff OptiVISOR this also has a poorly machined nut. 
MA-016 Headband Magnifier this comes with excellent machined metal nut.
MA-016 this comes with transparent blister, all product details are visible prior buying it.

At the end of the day, every single buyer, he is responsible of his own choices.
The ones not paying much of attention when shopping, they always be a victim.

Greek importer..
In just ten days of time, this article gathered 1800 of reads, some importers these working with old-school strategy, and those I am unable to assist.

All that I care right now, this is of me to receive a product free of defects.
I have all ready started working, making a quality DIY storage solution for my Headband Magnifier