That bit about the hairline crack is so true. In my experience, skipping tools like a magnifier seems faster but always costs more time later. I've found that even a quick look with magnification can save hours of troubleshooting down the road. Your mileage may vary, but for me, it's become a non-negotiable step in my process. It's one of those things where the small effort upfront prevents big headaches down the line. Now I never skip it, just like you said.
Wow, EYE STRAIN is a huge factor people forget about with magnifiers! Your eyes can play tricks after focusing too long, making cracks invisible. Short breaks keep your sight sharp and the tool useful.
Totally brushed off the timer idea at first. Figured my eyes were fine pushing through. Spotted a tiny solder bridge after my first forced break that I'd been staring right past for twenty minutes. Changed my whole routine now.