Factual error: Before the Leeches attack the boat, Aunt Josephine throws out her banana peel. After she is abandoned by Olaf, the peel finally floats to the surface. A banana peel wouldn't even sink that low especially at the angle Aunt Jo threw it at. (01:10:05)
Factual error: When Klaus first finds the Eye, if you look closely at the light beam just as it exits the eye, it is curved like a vortex. Light cannot do this; it should have been straight more like a cone shape. (01:21:25)
Factual error: When Klaus burns the hole through the certificate, Count Olaf looks right through the hole into the magnified sunlight. His eye would be severely damaged if looking into sunlight through such a powerful magnifying object. (01:24:25)
Factual error: Olaf and Violet's marriage certificate bursts into flames after the light from the magnifying glass hits it. The papers would not burst into flames, despite the size of his magnifying glass, it should have just burned a hole. Obviously done to be dramatic. (01:24:25)
Factual error: When the children jump off the remains of Aunt Josephine's house, they jump further than they'd be able to. The slanting floor, at least, would reduce the distance, plus they didn't take enough of a run up to jump the gap.
Chosen answer: The spy glasses are not explained in the books, but it seems that these are symbols of the fact that they are in VFD, the secret organization we learn about later on in the series. Both Dr. Montgomery and Aunt Josephine's husband and brother-in-law, the Anwhistle brothers, are implied to have been a part of VFD.