OPTICS

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.

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....

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A 2-1/2" x 1-5/8" plastic-framed mirror swivels on a ball-joint mount at the end of telescoping handle that stores at 8" long and extends to 31". The contoured rubber-coated handle makes those double-shift inspection days a little easier.

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.

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.

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. 

It’s both, but we like to call clear glass spheres like this one “orbs.” Measures 60mm dia, or a little under 2-1/2”. Often used by photographers for skewed effects, or as decorations in aquariums, gardens or potted plants, or as super-jumbo marbles, or for contact juggling by goblin kings. Super-trippy when light hits it, especially when it rolls. We used ours as a crystal ball and saw into your future. Don’t worry—it’s good. You’re going to buy a glass orb from us at a great price.

This green, rubber-coated 4X binocular from Celestron® is kid-sized but otherwise very high quality with coated lenses, an 18" neck cord, belt-mount carrying pouch and lens cloth. Has 30mm objective lens diameter and a 4.3 degree X 225-foot field of view at 1,000 yards.

Excellent quality 1-3/4" dia magnifier on a gold- or silver-colored, thin 36" chain with clasp. Package calls it 5X but our magnification guru says less than that at optimum focal length. Perfect for wearing to formal antique shows.

That’s just how we roll, but you can wear these foldable hipster shades with UV400 protection anytime you want. Not good enough? Did we mention they come with a detachable mini-visor for added protection on really bright days, or trips to the sun? Are these Ray-Bans? Absolutely not. Will you be upset if you leave them at the restaurant or in Suzy’s car? At less than 2 bucks a pair, not a chance. Buy a dozen for the summer, and if you haven’t lost a few come fall, bonus! In black, red or white, but we’ll pick for you.

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.

If so, whip out this super-compact pocket star finder and find you favorite constellations. Southern sky pilots are out of luck, but you folks in the northern hemisphere will find all your twinklers. Made for 40-degrees north, and will work for North America, Europe and most of Asia. Durable and weatherproof, it measures 5” dia. Pull it out, spin it to the current date and time, and Orion's your uncle.