During the single player of Half-life 2, Water Hazard to be exact, there was a magnifying glass that would refract the world behind it depending on your position in accordance to it. Then, would it be possible to create a spotting scope model that would zoom without having to "use" it? If so, what steps would be necessary to make it? Would the steps be in the skinning or would you have to make a few separate models that could be placed so that they appear to be attached?
From the other side of the model, it could possibly refract the world.