OPTICS

Forget watchmaking, you could write "A Tale of Two Cities" on a piece of tortellini with this triple magnifier visor. Magnifies from 1.8X to 4.8X. Has a flip-down 1.9X lens and a flip-down 4.5X loupe, plus dual white LEDs in a pivoting mount, powered by (2) "AAA" batteries each, not included. The whole thing is in a black plastic visor, 7-3/4" wide x 5-1/4" deep with a flexible plastic strap and adjustable dial control. Opens to 9" max dia, and has coated acrylic lenses. Now then: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times....

We don't like to brag, but it's tough not to in a case like this. This is a wonderful pen-shaped laser pointer, 5-1/4" long, flat black or silver with gold pocket clip and head. It throws a red point a loong way (we've thrown it two city blocks at night, and it would've gone farther, but buildings got in the way). And what are we so proud of? We've seen a very similar item-not identical, mind you, but essentially the same-in one of those glossy, toys-for-grown-men catalogs. Their price? $20! We're proud not to be profit-mongers, buy it here and you can take pride in your smart shopping habits. (2) AAA Batteries are not included.

Flat plastic Fresnel lens. This flexible magnifier is 7-1/4" x 10-1/4" and only about a millimeter thick. It is great when you need to scan a list, read a book, start a camp fire or just want to embiggen something. You can see most of the page without moving the magnifier which makes it great for reading. Only about 1.5 power, but that can make a huge visual difference. Nice piece at a very nice price.

The shaving cream people, Barbasol®, come to us now with this super high-quality 12X magnifying mirror with (2) suction cups to position it where you want it. Handsome, black-framed round mirror measures 5” dia. We saw things on our faces we didn’t even know were there. And then we quickly plucked them out. Works as well in your bathroom as it does when you’re traveling.

Surpies rejoice! This might be our deal of the year. We recently acquired a bonanza of high-quality reading glasses (not cheapie five & dime store readers) in soooo many styles and colors, with magnification ranges of 1.00-1.75 and 2.00-3.00. Some are sunglasses, some have spring hinges, some have a case, and all originally sold for $10 to $30 each. So get this: we’ll send you (5) of them for less than $15. We promise you’ll get (5) different frame styles and at least (2) different magnifications. But remember: the styles vary wildly, from classic to eye-catching. With that in mind, remember: you get what you get, without throwing a fit. Isn’t surplus wonderful!

Cute and useful, like a puppy that’s learned a trade, this small 8X20 spy monocular has coated glass lenses, double prisms, and an adjustable focus. Measures just 3-1/4” long with a 6” wrist strap, and has a 282-foot field of vision at 1K yards. Please note this does not come with a pouch or lanyard like the packaging says; and that's why it's surplus.

Our common red or green pointer too blasé for you? Make your point violetly with one of these rare violet laser pointers. Its non-slip black rubberized case with silver accents is 6-1/8” long x 7/16”dia, with a momentary switch and a pocket clip. Does not Include the (2) “AAA” batteries you’ll need. 

Good things come in (2) different small packages. Our pocket microscopes are compact and perfect for a clear, close look at stamps, coins, flora, insects or assorted minutiae. The 30X version measures 5-3/4" x 1-5/8" x 3/4" in black plastic with a focus knob, on/off switch, small LED for illumination, and a vinyl carrying case. Requires (2) "AA"s. The 60X version is a microscopic 3-1/4" x 1-3/16" x 3/4" and has a built-in white LED illuminator powered by (3) coin-cell batteries that are included. Magnifies from 60-100X, with coarse- and fine-focus knobs, and has a vinyl carrying case.

A nice 3X loupe, 2-3/8" dia, that folds into its own 3-3/8" x 2-5/8" tear-drop-shaped plastic case, and it's only 5/8" thick, just right for sliding into your pocket. Pay no attention the "6X" markings on the package-if mistakes didn't happen, we wouldn't be in business.

Small enough to fit into the included black canvas carrying case, but they open up to be plenty big for most binocular needs. These 8X21 binocs have ruby red anti-reflective lenses, roof prism precision eyepieces, adjustable focus, rubber coated armor, and a 392ft field of view at 1,000 yards.

This very good-optical-quality 3X magnifier has a 3” dia glass lens set in a 7-1/2” long traditional Sherlockian-looking rubberized handle. In black with French blue accents for stylish sleuthing. Plastic and rubber body is shock resistant.

There's optical science and high school physics, and then there's making pretty colors with this little 4-1/2" x about 1" acrylic prism. It makes the same rainbows that the beveled edges on the glass in the French doors to your grandmother's living room used to make on the floor in the afternoon while she was making supper. If you had a grandmother with French doors with beveled glass, who made you supper. If not, you'd better buy this prism or you won't have anything to remember after she's gone.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced stargazer, with or without a telescope, you'll get more out of the night sky with a Miller Planisphere. This 10" rotating double disc is a map of the planets, stars and constellations, useful across a large range of the northern latitudes, although most accurate in the range of 35° to 45° north. It can be aligned to the time and date in your location to display a detailed map, and includes tips on finding the planets, suggestions for telescope projects, and more. It's an invaluable learning tool that makes stargazing a lot more fun.

This XL magnifier measures 3-3/8" dia with a 5" long handle, all rubber coated. Glass lens is 1.5X and surrounded by (3) bright white energy efficient COB LED strips that run on (2) included "AA" batteries. Tap-on, tap-off switch. Good for everything from reading to looking at bugs and such.

Call it pocket microscopy. Our teensiest tiniest double-lens microscope is just 1-1/2” long x 19/32” dia with a barrel that will pull out another 1/2” for coarse focus. Rated at 16X, includes (3) AG7 batteries and comes with a teensy tiny carrying pouch.

Steampunk alert! Also…model and jewelry maker alert! This pair of 10X acrylic doublet loupes is mounted on black eyeglass frames and flanked by LED lights powered by (2) included CR1620 button cell batteries. These are for close work only, from 1" to 1-1/2", and can focus only one lens at a time (not both on the same object) so if you’re a steampunker looking for a new accessory, plan on perching this rig on your pate or chapeau.

Work like a watchmaker with this extremely steampunkish clip-on triple loupe. In brass-plated steel, it clips on the temple of a pair of glasses with the three 15/16” dia lenses (2X, 2.5X and 3X) on 1-1/2” long arms that swing in and out and are adjustable via set screws. The spring clip for the glasses opens to 5/16”. Working distance is short like all loupes, but you’ll look extremely cool.

Well, okay, glass, because numbers and equations would block what you're trying to see. At 7-11/16" overall, the 4-1/2" sturdy black plastic handle and frame holds an approx. 2" x 2" square lens that magnifies to 4X. With (5) white LEDs and (1) UV LED, 396-400nm wavelength, on the business side, you'll see that tiny print, or easily check out money, stamps, insects, etc. You'll need (4) ag-10 button batteries for power.