OPTICS

How about three extra hands? This multi-purpose workstation tool has a large 3X, 3-1/2" dia LED-lighted magnifier on a 10" gooseneck (you add 4 "AA" batteries), a soldering-iron stand, cleaning sponge plus steel wool, a canister of flux paste, a pair of  alligator clips with ball-socket mounts on the ends of a 4" rod  plus an extra hand with a third alligator clip on a 10" gooseneck. It all weighs in at a stable 3+ lbs and has a 7-1/4" x 6-3/4" base so you won't need fourth hand to hold it upright.

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....

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!

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.

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 or to look for something in a directory. You can see most of the page without moving the magnifier. Only about 1.5 power, but that can make a huge visual difference. The quality is not high, but neither is the price.

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.

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.

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.

Low-profile reading glasses (AKA readers) with small 1-3/4" x 3/4" lenses. The frames are all the same delicate style and come in assorted colors to match the slim, plastic carrying case with the pocket clip. The plastic lenses are 1X, 1.25X, 1.5X, 1.75X, 2X, 2.5X, 3X. Our package of (3) pairs will be in assorted magnifications & colors (our choice). Note the incredible price -- these sell for up to $12.95 EACH at your local pharmacy!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 little 5X, 3/4" dia glass magnifier for home, business or hobby use slides into its own 2" x 1-3/8" x 3/4" black case. Slide the magnifier out all the way and it automatically turns on the white LED light, just like your fridge, except it's not cold. (Don't want the light? Just pull it out part-way.) Runs on (3) button-cell batteries, included and replaceable.

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.

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.