Hi Folks<br><br>Anyone know where to get a decent plastic fresnel magnifying lens (apart from the opticians who want a weeks wages to make one : - )). Preferably a web mail order place - I'm in England. If not - what kind of magnification does it need to have to be useful for both fire lighting and reading the small print etc?<br><br>Thanks & Cheers<br><br>Nik T.<br><br>"If you tolerate this, then your children will be next." MSP

You might try Ultra-Optix. They have fresnel lenses for sale online here.

this should help<br><br>http://www.ultraoptix.com/magnifiers/fresnellens.html<br><br>brian

Wow! Within one minute of each other!<br>How's that for service, Pilgrim?

Oh, and sorry Pilgrim, I forgot to say that I don't really know much about starting fires with magnifying glasses, as I've never successfully done it. I need much practice in many of my skills.

The HL-1 and HL-1T models are small enough to fit in a PSK tin. But are they a practical addition? I don't recall hearing anyone saying that they have used these types of lens as a firestarter. Or maybe I just wasn't listening?

Guys<br><br>Thanks very much for your prompt response - i'm impressed, will let you know if i succeed in getting hold of the elusive lens. I've seen guys using these things to start fires in hot climates before (unsure how powerful it would need to be in England : - )) - I guess if the diameter of the thing is small enough to fit into my tobbacco tin I might go for it - I carry a lot of kit in my pockets etc so my tin has become more of a specialist tool box to some extent. Once again many thanks.<br><br>Nik T.

Got my Fresnel lenses at a Barnes and Noble book store. The credit card size was $1.95. It works far better than the other lenses that I've tried. Just remember to focus the beam carefully and very , very steady (shaking hands won't do the trick ) Cotton bursts into flame very quickly, but natural tinders take some time. Hpe this is of help.

Neglected to mention that it's probably unwise to stare at that focal point of light. When I did that during my initial attempts, it left me with "after images". Glancing away every 30 seconds seems to eliminate the problem.

Hi Neandertal,<br><br>Also trying to light a fire also only works from one side of the Fresnel lens although both sides work enlarging.<br><br>I have both the Credit card as the 4" by 5" model from Barnes and Nobel and they are perfect and cheap.<br>But practice a lot then it's not easy to start a fire with them, my Swedish Military Firesteel starts a fire in 15 seconds but with the Fresnel lens it takes a lot longer also depending on a decently powerfull sunshine and the right fine tinder materials.<br><br>Best Scouting wishes from Holland,<br><br>Bagheera