Spyglass of Curios | Hands-Free Spyglass Mod

Spyglass of Curios rethinks how you use the vanilla spyglass in Minecraft. Instead of keeping one in your hotbar and swapping to it every time you want a closer look, the mod adds a dedicated Curios equipment slot for it. Drop a spyglass in, press a keybind, and you are zoomed in. It is a small change that makes scouting terrain, checking distant structures, and lining up builds far less fiddly.

How the spyglass slot works

The core idea is a new Curios accessory slot reserved for the spyglass. Once a spyglass sits in that slot you can raise it with a configurable keybind, so your hands stay free for tools or weapons. You no longer have to open your inventory or burn a hotbar cell just to peek at something in the distance.

The slot integrates cleanly with the Curios framework, so if you already run Curios for other trinkets this mod slots right in alongside them.

Zoom control and per-spyglass memory

While the spyglass is raised you can fine-tune the magnification with the mouse scroll wheel. The zoom range is generous, so you can pull back for a wide view or push in for a tight look at a faroff structure.

Each spyglass remembers its own zoom setting, and that value shows up in the tooltip when you hover over the item. Carry two spyglasses and each one can sit at a different magnification level, ready for the moment you need it.

Render options on your player model

The mod also lets you decide how the spyglass looks on your character. Press shift plus left-click to cycle through three render types for the equipped spyglass, or turn the model rendering off entirely if you prefer a clean look. It is a small cosmetic touch, but it keeps your character model tidy when you are streaming or taking screenshots.

Installing Spyglass of Curios

Because this is a Minecraft Forge mod built on the Curios framework, setup takes two extra pieces beyond the mod itself.

1. Install Minecraft Forge for your game version.
2. Install the Curios API mod, which provides the slot system this mod hooks into.
3. Drop the Spyglass of Curios jar into your mods folder alongside it.
4. Launch the game with the Forge profile and bind the spyglass key in your controls.

If you are new to modded Minecraft generally, our guide to installing Minecraft mods walks through the Forge profile and mods folder in more detail.

Configuring the mod

Most behavior is tweakable through the config file at config/spyglass_of_curios.toml. You can toggle whether the spyglass model renders on your player, set minimum and maximum magnification, hide tooltip info, and switch on an OptiFine-style cinematic camera that kicks in while you zoom. Languages cover English, Chinese, and French, so the config and in-game text read naturally in each.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need the Curios API installed?

Yes. Spyglass of Curios builds on the Curios framework, so the Curios API mod must be present. Without it the new spyglass slot never appears in your inventory.

Can I run this on Fabric?

No, the mod is written for Forge. Fabric players should look at a standalone zoom mod instead, since this one relies on the Curios slot system that Forge mods use.

How do I change the zoom level?

Raise the spyglass with your keybind, then scroll the mouse wheel. Each spyglass saves its own magnification setting and shows it in the tooltip.

Can I hide the spyglass on my character?

Yes. Press shift plus left-click to cycle through three render types, or disable model rendering in the config for a completely clean player model.

Is there a cinematic camera option?

There is. The config includes an OptiFine-style cinematic camera toggle that activates while the spyglass is raised.