I frequently look at the beach drift for hours. Since my vision is getting
worse with age, I use a hobbyist's loop that fits over my head and has two
unbreakable plastic lenses for stereoscopic sight. (Should be $9 to $15 at a
hobby shop or some hardware stores).

The limitation is that I need to crouch way over in order to be in focus. It
helps to bring a beach towel to lean into for comfort.

I prefer to hunt in "the wild" selectively for my micros, rather than toting
possibly unproductive bags of sand. Although I'll do that too, especially
while diving.

The other visual aid I carry is the Episcope, which I use to magnify 15X.
It's extremely portable and reveals all the sculptural detail you'd want.
It's available for $60.

David Kirsh
Durham, NC