Carson MiniBrite 5x Pocket Magnifying Glass with LED Light and Sliding case, Black (PO-55)

This is one of those things you really do wonder how you did without, especially once you start using reading glasses. I bought mine for checking camera sensors, following a Ken Rockwell recommendation, but use it for many other things. I also have the PO-25 version, a 3x magnifier, but now prefer this PO-55. Both work the same way, with a sliding cover which does a good job of protecting the lens. With the cover closed, you have easy access to the battery compartment. Pull the cover open and you have full lens use without the light, another small further pull clicks on the light. This means you can use the lens to its full extent with or without the light; a light (and glare) is not always necessary. The 5x lens gives an appreciable and useful step-up in magnification from the 3x, and is very clear with little distortion. There is also a difference in LEDs (in my two magnifiers anyway); the PO-25 has a cold bluish light, while this PO-55 has a warm yellowish light, which is more restful on the eyes, and seems to give a truer colour transmission through the lens. All in all, an inexpensive, easily-carried, well-designed and extremely useful tool.

I got this for participating in a hill and moorland walking course. Very glad I got it as needed several times for reading maps to see fine details which I was struggling to see. I also used for night navigation so the light was an excellent mucg needed addition. Pretty compact and well protected with its cover when in pocket sliding around with other equipment. No risk of scratching. I liked that it was square too for lining up with grid squares on map which was helpful.

Does the job well, although the quality of the material it is made from is cheap and probably not worthy of the price. The battery compartment cover is very flimsy and cracked as soon as I opened it. Still works but it won't last a long time.

I was delighted to find this item on Amazon as I already had one purchased a few years ago from a local store which no longer stocks them. I wanted a couple more as I find the magnification strength (and the light) even more necessary with age and increasingly poor vision and didn't want to need a pocket to carry one about with me all over the house in order to read the very small or faint print or on labels, instructions etc. It is compact and sturdy and the sliding cover protects the magnifying lens. It takes three small batteries for the light, which actually seem to last well, but if you don't need the light you can either not put any batteries in, or not quite fully open the cover so the light does not come on. You do have to be careful to open the magnifier the right way up (smooth side) to avoid the lightshining in your eyes. These little magnifiers are so useful that I would recommend them to everyone!

bit to small for my needs. need a letter reader

Nice little device. Useful at work for reading small print on clothing labels.

I use it to check for eggs in my hive, and it's very good indeed.

Great little magnifying glass, just right for the pocket. It’s a valuable help with trying to read very small print especially as one gets older and the old eyesight is not what it was.