Remember all those movies featuring spy kids or simply way-too-curious toddlers who snooped around by using a remote controlled car with a video camera mounted onto it? And remember how you wished you had one of your own (at least yours-truly did)? Well, even if we're all grown up now, that fascination is still resident somewhere deep inside, and that's why the gadget I'll present today is the Spy Video Car brought by WildPlanet. This real spy toy is quite unique, featuring not only a completely wireless control and viewing system, but also an infrared camera, which allows it to be used even in the darkest nights. Moreover, in order to assure the complete “secrecy” of what is being filmed, the control system sports a single LCD lens attached to the user's headset, thus assuring the unique and single access to the video feed broadcast by the car's camera. The Spy Video Car has a range of up to 23 meters, so it can be used for spying from a safe distance, and works with 12 AA batteries (quite a lot, but after all, the power requirements are high). The toy will be available in the holiday season for around 140 dollars, and could represent a very interesting gift for any kid (but not only), although special care is required, as the Spy Video Car could also be used for some pretty nasty purposes.
Spy Video Car
Sunglasses Camera with Personal Digital Video Recorder
The most important thing about any covert surveillance system is for it to be so well-disguised, so inconspicuous, that nobody will actually be able to tell the difference between it and the object it's masquerading as. And a very good example of such a device is represented by the Sunglasses Camera with Personal Digital Video Recorder, presented by the people over at Spycatcher of Knightsbridge in the second half of 2007, a device that hides a very complex video recording system under the apparently innocent looks of a pair of sunglasses.
Thus, the Sunglasses Camera with Personal Digital Video Recorder is a wired, yet very discreet surveillance system that allows the users to film just about everything they're looking at. The device incorporates a a built-in colour monitor and speaker (for the other members of the surveillance team), 32MB of internal memory (expandable via the device's built-in SD/MMC card slot) and can even time and date stamp all the available video recordings, something that can prove to be extremely useful during any investigative action.
The camera works in both NTSC/PAL systems and has been fitted with a 0.25-inch (0.65 cm) CCD image sensor, which helps the device attain a 350-line maximum resolution, with 510 x 492 pixels in NTSC and 500 x 582 in PAL.
The device has also been fitted with an electronic shutter (1/50 – 1/100000), as well as a very effective built-in lens (3.1mm/F3.4 (3T), 3.9mm/F3.9 (4T)). The portable surveillance system provides a minimum S/N ratio of around 48 dB, and requires a level of illumination of at least 0.5 Lux/F 1.4 in order to work properly.
The Sunglasses Camera with Personal Digital Video Recorder retails for around 1800 US dollars, which is quite a hefty sum, but it's completely worth it, taking into consideration just how useful this thing can prove to be in quite a lot of situations.
Remote-Controlled Omnidirectional Submarines
Remote controlled toys (cars, planes, boats etc.) have always represented a major attraction for kids, but also for quite a high number of adults. This is the reason why the people from Hammacher Schlemmer have come up in May 2007 with a little device called the Remote-Controlled Omnidirectional Submarine, a toy that will take the passion for RC toys below the water.
Thus, these gadgets sport a dual propeller propulsion system that allow omnidirectional movement underwater, whether it’s in a bathtub, a swimming pool or a shallow pond. According to the manufacturers, these submarines dive and surface much in the same way as a real-life naval submarine, and the three high-powered motors ensure rapid movement forward, backward, left, right, and while performing 360 progressive rolls.
Visibility is always a problem underwater, so these submarines have also been fitted with LED headlights which allow the user to immediately spot their position. Moreover, each of these devices is controlled via an unique radio frequency, so multiple users can congregate and organize races with multiple submarines.
The remote-controlled omnidirectional submarines are powered by built-in rechargeable batteries, but the provided battery life is not exactly fantastic, as three minutes of charging will provide a functioning life of just around three minute. Moreover, the users will also have to get 6 AA batteries, 3 for the charging base and 3 for the remote control unit.
The submarines are not exactly large, measuring 3.81 cm x 5.71 cm x 9.52 cm at a weight of around 63.78 grams. However, they’re not suitable to be used in the open sea, since they can go only 0.91 meters feet below the water level.
The Remote-Controlled Omnidirectional Submarines from Hammacher Schlemmer are available for around 70 US dollars, well within the price range of other remote controlled toys, and they might prove to be quite a good choice for those users who want to have some fun around the pool.
Minihorn - The Blowing-Powered Horn
Have you ever woken up in the morning with a strange desire to do something nasty to the other people sleeping in your house, like for example, scare the bejesus out of them by blowing a loud horn in their room? Well, as nasty as this idea might be, it seems that some people (namely, the ADM Group) have decided to capitalize on it, and launched a little blowing device called the Minihorn, which, according to its manufacturers, is powerful enough to be heard across a packed stadium, without seriously upsetting your neighbors (although this seems a bit unlikely). The Minihorn creates this very loud sound by employing the user's own “lung-power”, since the sound is generated by blowing into a small hole which can be found on the side of the device. Thus, the users actually save money, as we all know that air horns are actually pretty costly, and the effect is quite the same, if not better. Moreover, this device has got to be one of the smallest available on the market, measuring just around 8 cm in height, but packs quite a “loud” punch, being able to generate a sound with an intensity of up to 120 DB. The Minihorn's design is as simple, as it is effective. The device consists of 2 main pieces, namely a cylinder and a closing ring, with a rubber membrane (actually, an ordinary balloon) placed between the cylinder and the ring. Whenever the user blows in the Minihorn, pressured air will flow between a ridge and the balloon, thus generating the powerful sound mentioned above. Another very interesting thing about the Minihorn is that is can be completely customized, thus being a very interesting promotional solution for various companies involved in sports, which represents the perfect playground for this device.
iCush Gaming Chair
We've shown you some special chairs, aimed exactly at the gaming activities, which offer some very appealing characteristics to the hardcore gamers, the most important of them being the built-in speaker system which gets the user “immersed” in the gaming universe. And that's exactly the type of device you're about to see as follows, namely the iCush from Homedics.
Like other gaming accessories from the same category, iCush is connected to the system's sound card and includes speakers that can be synchronized to it, so that the result is a true “environment” of sound that surrounds the user, making them feel like a part of the world depicted on the screen.
And as if all these things weren't enough, the chair also includes a massage function, which allows the user to enjoy a relaxing massage while headshooting enemies in a FPS or taking part in a raid in World of Warcraft.
Although it may seem complicated to use this item, judging after its futuristic look at least, all you have to do is plug and play it. Just plug your iPod or MP3 Player right into the iCush. Or use the included adapter to connect directly to your TV, XBOX, PlayStation or other gaming console. iCush puts you right in the middle of the action.
Your games will come to life as dual, adjustable aluminum cone speakers surround you with sound. Use iCush with your TV and watching sports and movies will never be the same. iCush loves music, too. Pop...Rock...Hip-Hop..., just turn it on and get ready for an entirely new listening experience.
You'll feel every explosion, experience every tackle, and sense every beat of your favorite tunes. Simply push the Audio Sync button on the wired remote and vibes pulse to the sounds. iCush features 3 preset programs: all motors, up and down or random so you can choose how the vibes move. And you can link Audio Sync to the programs for an even wilder ride.
iCush is fully portable and features a built-in carry handle and storage pouches. You can easily take it to a friend's house and share the experience. It will cost you $100, or only $40 if you are lucky to still get it on sale.
Fanatec RennSport Cockpit
Although it's no match for the likes of Logitech or Thrustmaster as far as its popularity and media visibility are concerned, the German-based Fanatec company has managed to come up with a couple of very attractive gaming peripherals, which will most certainly improve the “feeling” during intense gameplay sessions. This is also the case with the RennSport Cockpit, launched back in October 2008, a device which will help users get in their racing games like never before.
Featuring a Race Car seat design (as used in the GTR series), the Fanatec RennSport Cockpit has been built in an aluminum roll cage design that provides stability needed during intense races. Plus, since the company also produces other gaming accessories as well, the RennSport cockpit is fully compatible with all Fanatec Porsche wheels.
The gaming peripheral has been equipped with an extra wide seat, designed to provide more comfort while driving. The seat features a white fiberglass bucket (black carbon fiber optional), and can be adjusted on vertical and horizontal directions, as well as at certain specific angles. Also on the subject of adjustments, it's interesting to mention that this thing's pedals can be adjusted on horizontal direction, while the wheel's height and angle can be changed in order to better suite the user's needs.
The system also sports an integrated shifter attachment on the right side (left side optional). Actually, the RennSport Cockpit supports the addition of all sorts of interesting extras, such as a sliding drawer for wireless keyboard directly under the racing wheel, a monitor bracket for up to three 24-inch monitors for full surround video and a monitor bracket for a single monitor up to 37-inch diagonal. Plus, also as an option, the system can be prepared to “receive” a 5.1 sound system.
You can purchase the RennSport Cockpit from Fanatec for around 1,000 Euro, which is, indeed, quite a high price point, but worth every penny, given the enhanced gaming experience it can provide.
Radio Flyer Sport Coupe
Over the years, the people over at Hammacher Schlemmer have come up with a huge number of products, targeting both grown-ups and children. And the device we'll talk about as follows, namely the Radio Flyer Sport Coupe, presented since the second half of 2007, targets especially the second category (although the first one's got something to do with it too).
This classically styled car created by Radio Flyer, which is one of the most important manufacturers of toy wagons and ride-on vehicles since 1917, has electronic lights and sounds, a door that opens, and a horn that honks, which makes it even more lifelike. Furthermore, the car even comes equipped with a clicking key, a spinning steering wheel, and a twist-off gas cap (although, quite obviously, no refills are possible).
While sitting in the drivers seat, children can propel the coupe by foot or, when they get tired, they can support their feet on a stow-away footrest that lets parents push without interference from dragging toes. Moreover, the telescoping handle at the back lowers, so that children can push their coupes themselves.
The Radio Flyer Sport Coupe works with three AA batteries, and is suitable for children ages 1 to 3, measuring just around 31 x 17 x 21.5 inches (78.74 cm x 43.18 cm x 54.61 cm), at a weight of around 12.5 pounds (5.66 kilos).
Furthermore, in order to re-assure the parents that their children will be perfectly safe while using this toy car, the manufacturer has confirmed that this item meets all U.S. Federal toy safety standards, including safety standards for lead.
The Radio Flyer Sport Coupe retails for just around 130 US dollars, which, after all, is a pretty small price to pay for making one's children happy, not to mention getting them used to the idea of driving from such an early age.
