Overview
Somehow the folks at Reichert passed on the opportunity to call the LensChek AL-200, the “Adirondack Lensometer” instead. Unlike most computerized lensometers that sit vertical and block the view of your neutralization path, the AL-200 sits relaxed as if sprawled out on a beach day. It seems strange at first- almost too unprofessional or unrefined to measure a lens, but once you give it a try you begin to wonder why any lensometer is shaped otherwise. There’s something that appears easier about having the frame table directly in-front of your viewing path to the display– neutralizing targets is easier, and it’s less strain on your eyes to go back-and-forth/up-and-down. There are some drawbacks to this relaxed cool-guy design however. The lens table tray knob adjustment is quite bulky, and sometimes seems to get stiff without proper maintenance; yanking on this too hard might break the plastic handle. The LCD display could also be a bit brighter and has a slight tinge of blue to it at certain angles that we could do without.