All of us have had at some point somewhat of a “spy” bone, either after watching some James Bond movie or reading some interesting book. For this reason, from the same series that includes weird digital cameras, awkward devices and freaky gizmos, the guys from Hammacher Schlemmer are selling the Digital Video Rocket to the ones that always appreciate a good old spying activity.
This baby can actually fly to an unbelievable height of 300 feet, while carefully recording the landscape at a 640 x 480 pixel resolution, just like the black box does should a plane go down. Unfortunately, there is nothing unbelievable regarding the lenght of the footage it provides, as it can record only 12 seconds of video content, and can only store 3 still images per each flight (stores up to 15 photos in total).
All you have to do to get the best result is to point it in the right direction. The secret inside the Digital Video Rocket is a built-in sharp and mostly impact resistant camera, which will be able to take quite a fair amount of shocks (even repeated shocks, for that matter).
In order to assure its functionality, the Rocket uses Estes C6-5 engines, which can be easily found in certain hobby stores. The Digital Rocket kit includes a launch pad, special camera software and two sets of L1154 button-cell batteries for the system. To ensure your camera doesn’t get smashed upon “re-entry”, the manufactures have used injection molded plastic.
And if you’re still wondering about the price tag, you should know it’s a convenient one around 60 bucks.
Digital Spy Video Rocket
"Peep hole reverser"-Tactical Door-Viewer
The peep hole represents one of the most useful products ever developed, and most of us probably agree with this idea. But it's usefulness can be manifested in ways you might have not imagined up until now, at least if device called “Peep hole reverser"-Tactical Door-Viewer.
Developed with the help of the law enforcement industry, the device can be placed on the most types of peep holes in order to assess the activity behind the closed door. This is possible due to the fact that the Peep hole reverser"-Tactical Door-Viewer includes a very innovative optical system, that reverses the optical effect generated by the peep hole.
The device is recommended especially for the police forces, because it can prove to be quite useful in their missions, especially those with a high degree of risk.
Made of high quality lightweight materials, the housing is a strong, lightweight composite with an all-weather coating. The lenses are high-quality precision ground glass custom designed for Tactical Door-Viewer peephole reverser
The device sells for around 88 US dollars, which is not exactly a small sum, but it's actually quite worth it, given the fact that this very small product could actually prove to be extremely beneficial for certain categories of users.
Personal Cell Phone Signal Blocker Device
Although cell phones are probably the most useful communications devices ever developed (until now, that is), they do tend to get a little bit on a person's nerves, especially when they are outfitted with some very obnoxious ringtones. And that's exactly the reason why the people over at DealExtreme have come up with the Personal Cell Phone Signal Blocker Device back in August 2007, as this rather unusual product can block the cell phone signal on a 0.5 – 12 meter area around it.
According to the vendors, the jammer uses super-high frequency and mini power interference technology in order to block the GSM signals by interrupting the downlink connections without affecting in any way the handhelds.
It would seem that this device is quite effective, since it can block CDMA/GSM 869-960 Mhz networks, 2110-2170 Mhz 3G networks and 1805-1920 MHz DCS/PHS networks. The “circle of no-communication” created around the device has a variable radius, depending on the type of carrier network and other factors, but, nevertheless, it extends to a minimum radius of around 0.5 meters.
Moreover, the device is not dangerous for the human body (maximum level of emitted EM radiation is less than -10dBm), and requires relatively little power in order to operate, since a full-charge of the built-in 1500mAh battery lasts for up to 3 - 4 hours of continuous use. It's encased in a solid, shockproof metal casing and it's also extremely portable, as it measures around 4.09 inches x 1.85 inches x 0.71 inches (10.4 cm x 4.7 cm x 1.80 cm), at a weight of around 6 ounces (170 grams).
The device presented by DealExtreme retails for around 50 US dollars, which is a rather fair price to pay for such a device, despite the fact that this thing is of Chinese origins, so its efficiency is not exactly guaranteed.
Black and White Recon DVR Camera in a Decorative Clock
This StealthCam was carefully hidden behind a contemporary clock facade, but still manages to use the latest stealth recording technology in a single surveillance device. Actually, the developers of the product presented by BrickHouse Security have eliminated the requirements of additional recording equipment.
The surveillance kit includes a motion detection sensor, as well as time and date stamp for a precise analysis of the content. And speaking about the content, it's important to note that the StealthCam records video at 30fps, in MPEG-4 format and even sports various recording modes, as for example Manual / Motion Activation/ External Input Signal. Unfortunately, though, the video resolution is far from fantastic, namely somewhere under 320x240 pixels.
Another very interesting thing worth mentioning about this particular covert recording system is that it doesn't require any additional equipment. The StealthCam uses an SD card as a recording media, which makes it extremely easy for the users to playback the recorded video (at 1x, 2x, 4x speeds) on just about any computer equipped with a memory card reader. However, the device also sports a full-screen television output, for those situations where a more “in-depth” analysis of the video feed is required.
And if you were wondering just how much video this thing can record, you should know that, when using an 4 GB SD card (the maximum capacity supported), the device can record up to 7 hours of video feed, which is just about enough for any surveillance operation.
Sporting a reasonable size of 8.75 x 7.4 x 3.5 inches, the cam can be placed on any table without offering any clue about it's real functionality. So, from now on you can finally breath easily when hiring a nanny for your toddler, especially since this thing can be purchased for just around 450 bucks a pop.
TAGS: | StealthCam | BrickHouse security | special-purpos |
380TLV Water Proof Surveillance Camera
Waterproof surveillance cameras have become a must for those people who want to permanently keep an eye out on their entire property, not only their homes. And that's exactly the type of product you'll read about, namely the Water-Tight 380TVL Color Bullet Camera from Impact a device that is safe for both indoor an outdoor use and also very easy to hook up and control.
his weather-proof color bullet camera has a built-in 3.6mm lens and a quarter-inch CCD Sony processor that provides 380 TV lines of resolution. Its digital signal processor system chip-set allows for image control, and the Water-Tight 380TVL Color Bullet Camera can be mounted on your wall or ceiling with the included mounting bracket.
The device offers its users a maximum resolution of 510 x 492 pixels (NTSC) or 500 x 582 pixels (PAL) and also features an automatic electronic shutter (NTSC: 1/60s~1/100,000s, PAL: 1/50s~1/110,000s). Moreover, the camera sports an auto gain control system, supports color temperatures ranging between 2500K~9500K, has a 0.45 gamma level, as well as a S/N ratio above 48 dB.
Furthermore, the device comes equipped with a f 3.6mm / F2.0 lens (optional: f 6.0 / 8.0 / 12mm), sports an internal, negative sync synchronous system and has been fitted with just a BCN connector for hooking it up to a surveillance system.
The device sells for around 120 US dollars, which is a relatively OK price to pay for this thing, although the fact that it doesn't support night recording might change some user's minds regarding its actual level of utility.
Light Bulb Hidden Camera With Night Vision
Do you want to check on somebody's movements (read spy) and you need a video camera that's very well disguised? Well, even if the above mentioned activity is not at all encouraged, one of the best solutions to achieve the above requirements is the Light Bulb Hidden Camera With Night Vision presented by the people from Spyville.
Thus, this very special camera sport some pretty interesting features, among which some of the most important are the facts that it can be installed (and powered) exactly like a normal light bulb, directly from the lighting system, as well as the fact that it is quite weatherproof, thus being quite fit to be used on the outside.
The surveillance camera disguised as a light bulb comes with a built-in CCD black and white sensor, as well as with its own digital signal processor, which means that users will be able to view the capture images directly on their TVs, at very good quality and without any interventions from a computer. Furthermore, it's important to mention that the device offers a rather OK field of view (80 degrees) and that, unfortunately, it only works in th NTSC system.
The camera also allows users to enjoy infrared-enhanced night vision, as it comes packed with no less than 6 IR LEDs. Additionally, for easier operation, it features an IRFS power line carrier transmission system (no additional wires or antennas required).
The Light Bulb Hidden Camera With Night Vision from Spyville sells online for an estimate 170 US dollars, which is not that bad a price for a device that will allow users to setup their own covert surveillance operations.
SmartHome Portable Lie Detector
Lie detectors are some of the most interesting (and useful) devices ever developed, although the results generated by these devices are very often quite controversial. So, such a device, which has also been made quite portable, could be used for in countless situations, from interviews with possible future employees, to testing your spouse.
Two of the most popular stress-detection techniques (the Psychological Stress Evaluator (PSE) and the Voice Stress Analyzer (VSA)) have been considered in the design of this device, as it is a well-known fact that lying is generally associated with an increased level of stress. It is also quite user-friendly, because all the user has to do is turn it on, the readings being then displayed by an LED band so that the results can be measured and analyzed through a bar graph comparator.
The built-in "result indicator" provides an instant display of truthfulness. In addition to the continuous measurement of a person's speech pattern, the Truth Detector analyzes its own data to give you cumulative results.
According to the manufacturers' statements, the company Laguna, testing can be done from conversations on the radio, television, and even tape recordings. But there's no such device that can be considered completely flawless, and the manufacturers admit this situation. Moreover, they even recommend the use of the device in an area where no background noise is present, as it can affect the readings' accuracy.
