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....

Da Mare could use this to point out cracks in the infrastructure at Wrigley Field. You, having a forgiving nature, will resist the urge to point out cracks in da mayor's infrastructure. You will, of course, use it to point out chimney cracks to the tuck-pointer, a cracked limb to the tree-trimmer, and the crack in your profit picture during a slide presentation. You can do all that and much, much more with the highly visible bright light from this <5mW green laser pointer. It's an unbelievable tool. If you need a laser pointer that seems to go on forever and is so strong that you can actually see the beam in the dark, it will be the best low-cost investment you ever made. Or the coolest high-end toy. The 532nm (+/-10) light is 5-5/8" long x 1/2" dia, with (2) "AAA" batteries (not included), a momentary-on switch, pocket clip. An absolute necessity for astronomy, construction, surveying, warehousing, inspection and other large sites. And for playing in the dark.

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.

If you think it could be better, try these yellow-lens night vision glasses. They’re sold under the BattleVision™ name, but you don't need to be in a battle to appreciate them. Designed for night or low-light situations, especially driving, they reduce glare from oncoming traffic, and enhance clarity and color. In black plastic with a gray accent and a cool, wraparound style, they won’t make you look or feel like a geezer when you wear them. Pat, who's rapidly approaching geezerhood, says, “Hey! They actually work!”

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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!

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.

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.

…with my little handheld 2-draw captains telescope. (Image is right side up) So can you. Measures 1-1/2” dia and extends from 12-1/4” to 15” in black and white metal, with some plastic. Has a 30mm objective lens and rated at 30X magnification, but the actual magnification is closer to 20X. Focus adjusts by sliding the 2-3/4” extension, which takes a little getting used to, but works like a charm. Includes a lens cap and a zippered black carrying case with a wrist strap. In case you’re wondering why we haven’t mentioned it yet, OK, yes, it’s a telescoping telescope. You didn’t think we’d let that one slip by, did you?

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.

You do close work? Slap on these eyeglass-style magnifiers and make your life a bunch easier. The plastic frames are 5-1/2” wide with adjustable interpupillary distance, 4-1/2” long temples and an adjustable 12” elastic strap. Comes with (4) sets of lenses, 10X, 15X, 20X and 25X, illuminated by LED arms at the sides of the lenses. Replaceable button-cell batteries included. These could also be the steampunkiest-looking item we’ve ever offered.

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.

These are like those magnifying reading glasses you buy in the drug store and keep losing, except these clip onto your regular glasses. Mighty handy for general reading, but especially for folks whose bifocals won't work for seeing a computer screen because it's too close for the top and too far for the bottom. Our copywriter is wearing a pair of our clip-ons to type this right now, and it's relief, he tells you. Acrylic lenses flip up when not in use, and the spring-loaded clip has rubber tips to protect your regular glasses. Mag power is 2.50X and the lenses are large at 2-1/4” across. Cheaper than the drug store, too.

Small enough to fit into the belt-mounted black canvas carrying case (4-3/8" x 3" x 1" thick), but they open up to be plenty big for most binocular needs. These 10X25 binocs have glare-reducing coated lenses, a thin neck-strap, adjustable focus, water-resistant and easy-to-hold rubber skin, rubber eyecups and fine-tuning for the right eye.

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.