Carson MagniRead 1.5x Bar Magnifier (MR-25)
So the results are in... Received the 1" magnifier bar above... First, I tested it just laying the bar across a scribble. The bar is 5" long of magnifying area, plus a handle. Immediate impression was it instantly made the FC scribble strips enjoyable to read now, to ME. Clear, crisp, large enough to read easily without straining. I then decided to see how it would function, and broke out my chop saw. I cut the bars to 1-3/4". That's a nice size that is 3/16 larger all the way around the strip window. If you cut slow, it cuts nice. Too fast and it chips. I mean really slow -let the blade do the work. Anyway.. I then just attached them to the strips with some tape just to see how they look/feel.
That gets to the down side, which I'm not sure was mentioned when these bars were thrown around in discussion... The height of the bar is almost the height of the switch. Although I can operate the switches okay, it may be a problem for others, and I'm not sure I like it either. Perhaps with barefoot button risers on, that would eliminate the issue... I dont own any, so I do not know.
The text font height on the Scribbles at stock condition is 1/4" -that's freaking small! When the magnifier is on, the text is 3/8". 1.5x as advertised. To ME, it is a immediate huge improvement in readability. The way they are stock, I personally struggle. They look washed out to me and font way too small. With the magnifier, that effect was gone as the Text stood out. Contrast seemed better too. Another side note I noticed, is I can read the fractal logo just fine on the FC, and that text is smaller than the scribble(its tiny) , but it's also white on black.
I can not figure out how to photograph the FC and have you read the labels with the bar on/off, in the picture. The scribbles wash out white light as all the photos you've seen around pre release, with or without magnifier bars applied... Funny thing is, that's sort of the effect I get in person at the stock size! -washed out and hard to read. lol So if someone wants to point me to a trick to get a better image to share the results, please do. I'm no photography guru.
All in all, I dont know I'd use these because off the height thing (which may be minor to some of you). I may use them until and if a firmware fix is ever addressed. But it did clarify for me that 1.5X magnification made all the difference, or a minimum Font height of 3/8". Pretty please FAS? I'd give up a few characters for that.
HTH