Toysmith, 3-D Mirascope, 6" Instant Hologram Image Maker, For Boys & Girls 8+

We bought two Toysmith 3‑D Mirascopes because we were hoping to amplify the floating virtual image using a magnifier lens. Unfortunately, that part didn’t work—the illusion is created by the mirrors, and adding a lens in front doesn’t actually enlarge the hologram. Still, the device itself works exactly as advertised and produces a surprisingly realistic floating image, with a good lighting. Even without the magnifier trick, this little gadget is a perfect prop for the bar. Newcomers—especially the slightly tipsy ones—are completely fascinated by the “floating” object and always try to grab it. It never fails to get a laugh and spark conversation. 👍 Pros Creates a convincing floating 3‑D illusion Simple, durable, and easy to use Great for kids, adults, and party settings Perfect conversation starter for a bar or game room Works with many small objects 👎 Cons The virtual image cannot be magnified with a lens Works best with very small, lightweight items Overall Even though the magnifier experiment didn’t pan out, the Mirascope itself is a fun, clever little illusion maker. It’s inexpensive, entertaining, and always gets a reaction. A great novelty item for both kids and adults. Why the magnifier didn’t work? The Mirascope creates a virtual image using two parabolic mirrors. That image appears to float above the opening, but it isn’t a real, physical point in space—so a magnifying lens has nothing to “grab onto.” Magnifiers only enlarge real images or objects, not virtual ones created by mirror reflections. That’s why the illusion looks real to your eyes but can’t be optically enlarged.

Totally worth the price. A bit finicky— you have to be looking from just the right angle to see the full hologram — but when you see it, it’s great.

I agree with other reviews, this can be fragile to handle. The plastic mirror surface essentially cannot get dirty because if you try to clean it it's VERY easy to scratch. Which ruins the effect. (Also the top and bottom came apart in my hands while trying to put it away, but it goes right back together.) The effect is a trip! I would say for the price it's totally worth it for an older/careful child. For a careless or young kid, expect this to not last beyond 1 or 2 uses.

I had gotten this little optical illusion device for my great niece, whom from what I was told, ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! As did her dad, who told me how much she liked it & how even HE was enjoying playing around with it! I remembered seeing it as a kid myself, (yes, it’s been around THAT long) and how - since then it was kind of new - tripped out / impressed I was with it. Thought it would make a great gift, and I was RIGHT!

Be very careful when cleaning the mirror surfaces, they are very easily scratched and I ruined mine by just trying to wipe the accumulated dust off the bottom mirror with a cotton cloth! If you need to clean I would recommend using a can of compressed air, you cannot clean anything that requires wiping as the mirror will scratch and affect will be lost. Does what it says and overall worth the price (less than $10). I would rate it higher if it were a bit larger to accommodate some larger objects and if the base was attached to the bottom mirror piece (the small round bottom is a separate piece), it would also be nice if the top mirror somehow locked onto the bottom mirror (maybe like a quarter turn twist to lock or similar). The frog that comes with it is very small but does look cool floating in the air, you cannot use an object that is much larger than the frog that it comes with. It is cool that you can move your finger through the projected object and it doesn't stop you from seeing parts of the object where your finger is not blocking it (unless you have very large fingers that will block the whole object. You have to view the floating object at about a 45 degree angle, if you are looking from the side or more than a 45 degree angle the object will disappear but I cannot fault the product for that since that is just how the mirror reflection works. It is a neat toy for kids and they will be amazed by the floating object.

Insanely cool idea - nice implementation

When I tell you my grandkids loved this. They truly loved it. Super cool, lightweight and when you put stuff on it it truly is amazing looking.

I fun educational item.

Excelente producto, muy divertido y educativo

As a kid, I saw one of these in a science shop and was absolutely fascinated by it. Today, I'm still fascinated by it! Purchased for a kid, and guess what, that kid was also fascinated by it! This thing is MAGIC. Well...not like real, Wingardium Leviosa magic, but Science Magic. Put an item in the bottom and it reflects to the top opening, and is 3 dimensional. The reflected image is slightly lower contrast but it looks like it is there. You try to grab it with your fingers and there's nothing there. Very very cool! What kid wouldn't like it!? Help get your kids excited in science. Buy them this amazing muggle device then tell them what the purpose of a rubber duck is. Works best with small items like the size of nickel. Comes with a little plastic frog.

Excellent. We can explain about Parabola, conic sections, hologram etc!! Children will enjoy. Every house and school should buy .

以前、子供に見せてやろうとアーテックの商品を買ったのですが、鏡面が曇っていてまともに結像すら出来ないような粗悪品でガッカリしたことがありました。 今度こそはと、こちらを購入したんですが、これはキレイに結像してちゃんと立体に見えました。見る角度によっては像が少しゆがんでしまいますが、まぁこの値段なら仕方ないでしょう。子供も喜んでくれたのでホッとしています。 上下分離しますので、下だけ使って凹面鏡の実験もいろいろ出来ます。実像・虚像の出来具合とか、凸レンズとの相違点とか調べてみるのも楽しいですよ。 ちなみに、「カエルのフィギュア」は入っていましたが、「自由収納袋」は入っていませんでした。本来なら星－１ですが、キレイに結像してくれましたのでオマケの星５個です。

学校の理科の授業で、鏡の学習で使いました。授業の良いアクセントになりました。