Decided I like magnifying glasses more than magnesium firestarters, as a backup to matches and lighters. But despite the obvious application, I don't see much in the way of "survival" magnifiers out there. Any recommendations on type, and a place to buy one? Appreciate it.
I have never tried to start a fire with one but they sell Fresnel lens that fit in your wallet. What about the lens from your binoculars or a lens from your gun scope? I’m sure you realize this but …the nice thing about the other fire starters is they work when there is no sunshine.
"Beets, Blacksmithing, Bow hunting"
back up for back up is good.. but cloudy for a week = no fire..
I may eventually get both for that reason, but in general I still like the magnifying glass. It's more forgiving of lousy technique, and it doesn't wear out from use.
Ya, I've had a lot of success with jewelers hand lenses or botany hand lenses. you can get up to around 40X magnification. Your going to want at least a 25mm lens(30mm would be better). They are encased in stainless steel and have a stainless steel cover for protection. You can buy them cheap on ebay from china for about 3 to 10 dollars or you can buy higher quality ones for about 30-60 dollars. just type in jeweler hand lens into ebay then look for the metal ones.
another option is to take apart an old projection tv. you can find them on kijiji quite cheap because they are so large and heavy no one wants to use them anymore. anyway take apart the tv and there are a couple of amazing lenses in there. They are the best I've found for starting fires.
Best thing to remember with magnifying glasses is that power(X) creates a hotter beam but diameter creates a larger focal point. Don't underestimate how much easier it is to light something on fire when you have more surface area(larger focal point) of heat. So as large a diameter as your willing to carry. Good luck with that.
I just want to add that I agree with the other people in this forum. Although a useful tool, I would not want to be caught out in the woods with only a magnifying glass but definitely a useful tool to have as a back up that doesn't expend a resource. that way, when the conditions are right, you don't have to use something that does expend a resource(lighter, match). Another thing you might want to look into that is a very renewable source of fire(though a little harder to do) is the flint with a steel striker. There is no end to Quartz and chert rocks out there that can be struck on a carbon steel striker.
I've pulled some pretty potent lenses from the projectors of rear projection TV's not to mention there is a large Fresnel lens sandwiched between thin layers of plastic in the viewing screen.
If you gain access to several rear projection TV's, dig into the biggest one of the bunch especially for the Fresnel lens. More sunlight captured = more heat focused.
Than= I’d rather be rich than poor.
Then= I first became hungry then I ate.
There = She is there now.
Their = They have their things.
They're = They're going to the mall.
To = They came to the house.
Too = That's too bad.
Ya, that was the type of tv I was talking about. those things are amazing hey! I figured I wouldn't mention the Fresnel lens at the front because it is too large for him take with him. It does have great application in making sun powered stoves though. Ive seen those giant Fresnel lenses burn through wool like a laser. but for his purposes the three smaller lenses would work better. I don't know their power but they are great for fire making. I have one in a cloth bag to protect it and have it stuffed in my wilderness bag.
I would like to point out that a magnifying glass is a a good prepper item no matter what. Even if you aren't starting fires you can use it for removing splinters, examining a person's eye
if they believe they have a foreign body in there or map reading if you aren't in perfect light. We have a magnifying glass in our (overly large) medical kit.
I found out that fresnel lenses can be dangerous. I have a cheap plastic one (Canadian Tire, less than 2 bucks). Was playing with it one day, then set it aside and almost inadvertently started a fire by just placing it down in the sunshine. Very powerful, scary.
I would like to point out that a magnifying glass is a a good prepper item no matter what. Even if you aren't starting fires you can use it for removing splinters, examining a person's eye
if they believe they have a foreign body in there or map reading if you aren't in perfect light. We have a magnifying glass in our (overly large) medical kit.
No one here is questioning the usefulness of the magnifying glass. We were making sure he didn't expect to go into the woods with only a magnifying glass and expected to be able to make a fire whenever he wanted. A magnifying glass is a very useful tool but it has its limitations and they need to be respected.