Alright folks, I've decided to man up and run for Heine. Not gonna waste money on cheap brands. After talking to seniors it turns out you really get what you pay for when it comes to loupes...
I've tried a bunch of 'em and heine clearly had the sharpest image(after zeiss) and huge field of view. as well depth of field. Tbh I found heine to be the closest to zeiss in terms of optical quality, but with a bigger field and depth.
Orascopic was ok, but not as good optical quality or field.
Surgitel, once again very pricey. Optical quality similar to orascopic, but bit bigger field.
Good thing abt orascopic and surgitel is they are a LOT lighter, and pretty! I guess it's upto personal choice - some might find orascopic/surgitel better!
I also tried my friend's cheap med-lite's - the image was a whole lot darker, and the field and depth were tiny. Way to ruin someone's eye!
The only one i'm seriously considering apart from Heine 2.5x HR is Designs for vision(DVI/DFV) 3.5x with extended field of view. I know it's expensive...but i've heard some amazing things about it. My tutor's one seem amazing
The sales rep is currently pushing Heine 2.5x with a headband for 1500NZD, and sadly ivoclear(reps for DVI - want's to sell the DVI for 3800 NZD) whereas is US these two are much similar in price
Looks like it might just be Heine for me.
But for any future ppl reading this - seriously check out DVI's 3.5x with extended view, IF you can afford it. It's 3.5x mag but the field is the same as other 2.5x. i.e. you can see the whole mouth.
Or zeiss, if you can afford it...