Galileo
From $795Lightweight affordable surgical and dental loupes for students, residents, and everyday clinical use.
A lightweight Galilean option; not an ergonomic prismatic system.
Explore GalileoComparison
HeliosX vs Schultz (LoupeDirect)
Short answer: HeliosX builds every pair to your own pupillary and working distance and publishes the full price of each model and magnification: Galilean from $695, conventional prismatic from $1,195 and ergonomic prismatic from $1,695, with frame, shipping and a lifetime warranty and 30-day returns on non-prescription pairs included. Schultz (LoupeDirect) advertises loupes "starting at $199"; that price buys its Feather Flip-Up at 2.0x, below the 2.5x most clinicians start with. Its 2.5x is $299 and 3.0x is $499.
Schultz and HeliosX both sell loupes online. The useful comparison is the pair you would actually wear: its optical design, magnification, fit and finished price.
We make and sell HeliosX loupes. This is our buying guidance, not an independent product test or paid ranking.
Galileo · From $795 USD
The differences that matter
Compare before you commit
Price
HeliosXEvery model and magnification priced on the site: $695–$2,075, frame and shipping included.
Schultz (LoupeDirect)"Starting at $199" is the Feather Flip-Up at 2.0x; 2.5x is $299 and 3.0x $499, each shown as marked down from $699–$1,299.
Optics
HeliosXGalilean 2.5x–3.5x, conventional prismatic 4.0x–6.0x, ergonomic prismatic 3.0x–8.5x.
Schultz (LoupeDirect)Lists TTL 2.5x–3.5x, flip-up 2.0x–3.5x, prismatic 3.0x–6.0x and ErgoFusion ergonomic loupes.
Working distance
HeliosXMeasured to you; Medusa adjusts from 300–600 mm.
Schultz (LoupeDirect)Confirm how working distance is measured and whether it can be changed.
Trial and returns
HeliosX30-day returns on non-prescription pairs, free return shipping.
Schultz (LoupeDirect)Advertises a 30-day risk-free trial and money-back guarantee; read its returns page for conditions.
Warranty
HeliosXLimited lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects.
Schultz (LoupeDirect)Advertises a lifetime warranty; check what it covers.
Lights
HeliosXFive LED lights from $265, 10% off with loupes.
Schultz (LoupeDirect)Sells loupe-and-light combos and a wireless headlight it lists at 55,000 lux.
Choose HeliosX if you want a pair built to your measurements, ergonomic prismatic optics, working distance you can adjust (Medusa), and a published price for the exact configuration before you pay.
Your HeliosX shortlist
Start with the work you do.
Compare the optical design, then choose your magnification and frame on the product page.
Apollo
From $1,695Ergonomic prismatic loupes for clinicians who want posture-aware clarity and high-magnification options.
Working distance is fixed to your configuration; magnification is selected at purchase.
Explore Apollo
Medusa
From $1,695Ergonomic prismatic loupes with adjustable working distance for clinicians who change posture between seated and standing work.
Working distance adjusts from 300–600 mm. Magnification does not switch on the loupe.
Explore MedusaStarting prices in USD. Magnification and optional prescription lenses affect the total; shipping and taxes appear at checkout. See all five models.
What Schultz (LoupeDirect) offers
LoupeDirect sells Schultz-branded loupes and headlights online from Las Vegas. Its site lists through-the-lens, flip-up, clip-on, headband, prismatic and ErgoFusion ergonomic loupes. We have not tested Schultz loupes and make no claim about their optical quality.
A "starting at" price is not the price of your pair
The $199 Schultz price is for a flip-up loupe at 2.0x. Most dental and surgical buyers start at 2.5x–3.5x, and flip-up loupes hinge in front of the lens, so they typically sit further from the eye than loupes fixed in the lens, which narrows the field of view and puts more weight forward. Compare the magnification and design you will actually use, measured to your working distance. HeliosX shows that full price for every model and magnification before checkout.
- HeliosX prescription lenses: $200.
- HeliosX includes frame and worldwide shipping in the listed price.
- Full HeliosX price list: How much do surgical loupes cost.
Where HeliosX is different
Every HeliosX pair is built to the pupillary and working distance you measure, and we review those measurements before production. HeliosX ergonomic prismatic loupes redirect your line of sight so your head can stay more upright, and Medusa adds working distance you can adjust from 300 to 600 mm for clinicians who sit and stand.
Questions before buying
Is HeliosX the same company as Schultz or LoupeDirect?
No. They are different brands with different products and terms. We have not performed a controlled optical comparison.
Is a $199 loupe the same as a HeliosX pair?
No. Schultz's $199 price is for a 2.0x flip-up. HeliosX pairs, from $695 at 2.5x, are built to your measured pupillary and working distance, with frame, shipping and a lifetime warranty included. Compare the same magnification and optical design.
Premium magnification. More accessible.
A clear choice starts with your work.
Tell us your specialty, typical procedures, current magnification, and budget. We can help you narrow the options before you order.
Email opens in your mail app: heliosxloupes@gmail.com · Limited lifetime warranty