Is it some type of surveying device? It looks like the squares could be used to aid in plotting or mapping things... maybe?
Not really. However you have used at least two words, that if you were to think of an alternative meaning of those words, it would be a vague hint. The squares are a feature of utmost importance. No.
I thought it was something for grid coordinates Old style compass of sorts. Maybe track constellations. Or the very first kindle.
Is that the entire apparatus, or is there something missing? A parabolic mirror is designed to focus light. But what purpose can the grid serve if light is being focused?What is the significance of the leveling bubble? Can it only focus light from directly above? Some sort of noon-finder? This is puzzling. It looks kind of cheap actually, not some kind of precision instrument.
Nope and using it at night would be next to impossible. It is all there, the only things you can't see are the name, instructions and manufacturer info on the label which I covered up.
