DIY Lens for Google Cardboard VR

Introduction:
Since Google launched it's VR cardboard last 2014.,i've read some good feedbacks about it.,And last May 2015.,the cardboard VR supports iOS.,Getting the VR cardboard is cheapest way to experience Virtual Reality.,And i asked myself can you DIY a complete functioning VR cardboard from recycled stuff.,Including the lens.That's how this project started.,And i'm sharing it here how to build a Google Cardboard VR all from scratch at no cost.,Using recyclable materials 
•(That is if you have have all the basic tools needed for this project.)

Step 1: Needed Things

Materials and Tools needed:
- Google Cardboard templates
- Scissors
- Exacto knife (stencil cutter)
- Glue
- Quick dry Epoxy
- *Transparent (clear) plastic bottle *
^made of (PET)
*stands for polyethylene terephthalate. PET (also known as PETE)*
-Syringe with needle
- Velcro or rubber band
- Glue stick (for glue gun)
-neodymium magnet(optional for older iphones)
*a smartphone(iOS & Android)

Step 2: Steps

I will focus the steps on how to make a Biconvex lens out of used clear plastic empty bottle.,Because the cardboard VR is useless without the Lens (the most important part of the VR) So anyone who will try this project can go forward and start the Cardboard VR casing.,And some of the images here shows how i build the Google Cardboard VR.,
(you can find steps on how to build or assemble a Google VR cardboard here in instructables and in various websites or in youtube).So i'll start first with the lens.Then followed by the cardboard VR.
•STEPS TO MAKE LENS
1.Find an empty clear bottle with a good "Curvature"
2.Then make a circular template (25mm diameter)on a sheet of cardboard/paper.As seen on image.
3.Then cut the marked you made on plastic bottle using scissors.
4.Make and cut at least 4 pcs of this.,because you'll need 2 pcs together to create a a single biconvex lens
5.Combine 2 pcs together to create a biconvex shape lens.
6.Carefully sealed all the circumference sides of the biconvex shape plastic you just joined.
7.Now that you have sealed all the sides using quickdry epoxy.Fill your syringe with clear water and carefully inject it on the biconvex shape until you filled it up.
*to removed bubbles-just pinched or gently squeeze the lens-to slowly remove all the big bubbles in it.
8.After successfully removing bubbles filled it with water(the lens).,Sealed it again.Seal the hole you just made by syringe needle.
9.Let it dry for a few minutes..Test it-if it magnifies things.Try to magnify small things-(like printed letters).
10.After succesfully made a biconvex lens that magnifies things up.,Repeat the procedure for your second and last biconvex lens.
*If you successfully magnifies things up..Congratulations.!.,your good to go on building your own Google Cardboard VR.,
•It's fun building things up by youself.
•Next Images is how i build my Google Cardboard VR.
Though it's not so very elaborate steps,,but you can google it for more elaborate one.,specially regarding the use of magnets to control your phone while inside the VR cardboard.
•i dont use any magnets on my VR Cardboard.Will be discussed in some parts of this instructables.

Step 3: Steps

*In image form

Step 4: Google Cardboard VR Assembly

Assembling Google Cardboard VR
1.Download the templates for free and print in on long bond paper in landscape mode.

(Link will be provided in some parts of this instructables.)

2.Cutting using scissors and stencil cutter accordingly with the template guides.
3.Attached the templates after cutting on a cardboard.
4.After cutting all the three pages -parts of the templates.,assembling it is quite not difficult to follow.,as their is a marking on templates where you can fold.

Step 5:

Step 6:

Step 7: Sources

Sources:
https://www.google.com/get/cardboard/
https://www.google.com/get/cardboard/get-cardboard/
•VR Apps for iOS
https://itunes.apple.com/ph/app/dive-city-rollercoaster/id771293168?mt=8

Step 8: In Depth Understanding Magnifications

•Magnification of images
•mag·ni·fi·ca·tion\ˌmag-nə-fə-ˈkā-shən\
noun
: the act of making something look larger than it is : the act of magnifying something
: the larger appearance of an object when it is seen through a microscope, telescope, etc.
•Focal Length
Focal length is the distance from the magnifying lens to the object behind the lens when the object is in focus. To put it another way, the optimal distance between the object being magnified (when it is in clear focus) and the magnifying glass is the focal length.
•Magnification Power
As the magnification power increases, the focal length decreases; conversely, as the magnification power decreases, the focal length increases. The stronger the optical power of the magnifying lens, the shorter the required distance between the magnifier and the object behind the lens.
For example, if you are looking at a diamond through a 10x loupe, the distance between the diamond and the magnifying loupe will be very small (about an inch or so away). The focal length is therefore about an inch. Your eye will also need to be very close to the loupe.
If you are looking at fine print with a 2x hand-held magnifying glass, the magnifying glass will need be several inches away (roughly 6 to 8 inches) from the fine print to bring it into optimal focus. The focal length in this example is 6 to 8 inches.
If you are not using a magnifier at its correct focal length, the object you are viewing will appear out of focus, distorted, or upside down when trying to view it through the magnifying glass. 
•Relationship of Lens Size to Magnification•
Please keep in mind, as the lens size (diameter) of the magnifier lens increases, the magnification power of the magnifier decreases. As the lens size of the magnifier lens decreases, the magnification power of the magnifier increases. This is a result of the amount of curvature in the magnifier (lens). Magnification power is a result of the amount of curvature in the magnifier lens. As the lens size increases, the amount of curvature in the lens decreases, resulting in lower magnification power of the lens. As the lens size decreases, the amount of curvature in the lens increases, resulting in higher magnification power of the lens. This is why higher magnification lenses are generally smaller in size than lower magnification lenses.

Step 9: About Magnets

Using Magnets
CAUTION: Messing with powerful magnets near your iPhone can alter the calibration of the sensor!
In researching this article, we experimented with a number of powerful magnets near the phone. While the compass can re-calibrate itself, it is possible to mess it up. In our case, it seems that we might have slightly magnetized some component inside the phone.
While the compass still seems to work reasonably well, it doesn’t show the same overall field strength when we twist the phone around in different directions. This relatively new iPhone did agree with itself before we starting experimenting. There are a number of stainless steel shields inside an iPhone that might have been very slightly magnetized by the passing magnets. Hopefully they will demagnetize over time.
Avoid getting powerful magnets too close to your smartphone, or risk messing with your own compass calibration. Anything closer than a few inches is stronger than that sensor can measure anyway.
https://www.kjmagnetics.com/blog.asp?p=iphone-fun
More about magnets
https://www.kjmagnetics.com/blog.asp?p=google-cardboard

Step 10: Google Announcement

Google has announced a new version of Cardboard, its virtual reality viewer. The latest Cardboard design will fit larger phones, up to 6 inches, and it's gotten rid of the magnet controller, replacing it with a cardboard button that will work with every phone. It also takes fewer steps to assemble. Just as importantly, Google has launched its Cardboard virtual reality app on iOS. The new app will let iPhone users explore city environments, use a virtual kaleidoscope, and view 3D objects from a museum collection. Until now, the official Cardboard app was available only on Android, where it has been downloaded over a million times. For developers that have created their own Cardboard-compatible apps, the software development kit also supports iOS.

*Google Cardboard is a virtual reality (VR) platform developed by Google for use with a fold-out cardboard mount for a mobile phone. It is intended as a low-cost system to encourage interest and development in VR and VR applications.It was created by David Coz and Damien Henry, Google engineers.
•After initially only supporting Android, Google announced iOS support for the Unity plugin in May 2015 at the Google I/O 2015 conference.Third-party apps with Cardboard support are available on the Google Play store and App Store for iOS.
•Everything about Google Cardboard VR
http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/google-cardboard-everything-you-need-to-know-1277738

Step 11: Result

Recycling things up is a good habit.,you are a big help to mother nature plus you're creating new things out of old.,And thats all of it.,The result of building this project is fullfilling.,I enjoyed using the virtualization at no cost.Hoping you enjoyed reading it.,a heart or a vote will be highly appreciated.,Thank you !