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....

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.

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.

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.

Just let me whip out my LED Double-Multiple Jewelry Identifying Magnifier with 11mm and 22mm acrylic lenses, at 10X and 20X magnification. (Don’t believe its claim of 30X and 60X. The mismarking is why you’re getting it cheap.) Has (2) super-bright white LEDs that run on (3) button cell batteries (included, with a spare). Use it for home, office, hobby, finely detailed work, model or jewelry making, watch repair, crafting, and yes, for looking at someone’s diamond. Comes in a sturdy oval case.

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 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.

This folding magnifier has (2) glass lenses that can be used solo or in tandem. Each is 1” dia and 7.5X magnification, and together they’re 15X (which you just did in your head). The hinged lenses slide into a black plastic teardrop case that measures 2-1/4” x 1-1/2”. Like a giant jeweler’s loupe. Super-handy, powerful and as portable as they come.

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.

These 3-1/4" dia magnifying glasses on 5” handles are a big step up from the traditional Holmesean versions. Acrylic 1.5X lenses are surrounded by a trio of super-bright white COB LEDs for improved clue detection. (Holmes would have killed for COB lights.) They run on (2) “AA”s, thoughtfully included. We’ll pick one in a color that will complement your deerstalker.

This 10X folding loupe in black plastic and aluminum has a pair of very bright white LEDs next to the 25mm lens. Runs on (3) button-cell batteries, included, and has a tiny wrench to help you replace them. Loupe and wrench stow snuggly in a foam lined plastic case. When folded, it looks like a standard coach's whistle, or a really big apostrophe.

These flexible, clear acrylic magnifiers are the same size and thickness as a standard credit card at 3-3/8" wide x 2-1/4" tall x 017". They magnify 1.25X via a magnifying window that is just a tad smaller than the entire thing. Keep a few in your wallet and pass them around to your AARP friends. As for you, you’ll never squint again when you’re on the phone ordering bargains from us and can’t read your credit card number.

This is our wisest magnifier yet, a blue plastic owl, approx 7” tall x 4-1/2” wide x 1-1/4” thick, from GeoSarafi Jr. Magnifies 2X and 8X through its 1-3/4” x 1-1/2” eyes with red LED light pupils for night vision. Orange beak is the power button. Also has cute orange feet. Appropriately named the Bright Eyes Magnifier™. Requires (2) “AAA”, not included, but available here. Yeah, we thought you might ask. Ages 3+.

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. 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!

Why yes, it could be. Most jeweler’s loupes are too bulky to slide into a pocket, but this 5X version has a built-in tweezers and folds to a slim 2-1/4” long x 1” x 1/2” thick. Doublet lens is 15mm across in a plastic body. There’s some slight edge distortion, but for the magnifying power, size, and convenience, it’s hard to beat.

This monster magnifier on a gooseneck stand doubles as a reading lamp. The 3-1/2” dia, 3.5X magnifying glass is surrounded by a bright 12W 1200 lumen LED ring of lights, all on a 12” gooseneck rising from a 6-1/4” x 5-1/4” x 1-1/2” thick base with a 4-foot power cord. The magnifying lens has a flip-down cover, which converts it to a reading lamp. Comes in mysterious black and inquisitive white; we'll choose the one that's best for your feng shui.

Sure, this 2X Bug View™ magnifier from Carson Kids is for…bug-viewing…by kids. That’s great if that’s what it’ll be used for—and who it’ll be used by. But as a classic hand-held spy glass, it also works for reading small print, and at 5” dia with a 4-3/4” handle, it’s easy to stuff into a drawer, or just leave out on a table or desk. But yeah, give it to a kid and go camping or walk out into a field full of insects. Either way. Great for learning, but also great for just seeing. Rim and handle are in a pleasant, understated green.

Our best jeweler's loupe, this has a professional-quality, full 10X triplet lens. A ring of (6) white LEDs around the 13/16" glass lens ensures an even distribution of light. Housing is an angular, 7-sided teardrop shape 1-3/4" x 1-1/8" that folds out of a metal case with a strap hook. Tucked into the small leather pouch it comes in is a spanner wrench, in case you ever need to replace the (3) button-cell batteries.