15 covert gadget gifts for the James Bonds on your list
Do you have a special somebody in your life who has watched one too many Bond movies? Someone who's always looking over his or her shoulder, suspicious of being tailed? Someone who won't talk to you over an unsecured line?
The signs are there: Your friend's a real paranoid. While this might indicate a deeper underlying problem, you probably don't want to spend the holidays staging an intervention, so short of that, you can do the next best thing: indulge it.
Conveniently for you, we've rounded up a number of great gifts for the aspiring spy from covert recording devices to a lie detector test that will shock the truth out of suspects. All of these will prove practical for your friend's next mission.
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1. Hard Drive with Biometric Authentication This hard drive has spy written all over it. Durable? Check. Biometric access? Check. Hardware encryption? Check. Bottom line: If you don't want your files snooped on, LaCie's Rugged Safe is the way to go. Price: $240
2. Electric Shock Lie Detector For ultimate reassurance that you're not being deceived, there's the Shocking Liar, a machine that sends electric jolts to suspects when it thinks theyâre lying. Fun and games aside, you might want to avoid using this on people with pacemakers, who are pregnant, or who have epilepsy. Price: $20
4. Book Vault You know the secret passageways that are triggered by pulling a specific book out of a library bookcase? Well, this isn't that. Instead, this is the low tech version: a hollowed out hardcover book to hold the stateâs most precious secrets, or yours. Price: $35
5. World's Smallest Camera Need a covert camera? This half-ounce beauty will do the trick. Measuring a little over an inch across all dimensions, the world's smallest camera (or at least thatâs what Hammacher Schlemmer proclaims) features a two-megapixel sensor that shoots 1600x1200 images and 640x480 video at 30 frames per second. Price: $30
6. Spy Pen Recorder Because it's always better to err on the side of caution, we have more than a few recording spy gadget recommendations. Embedded within this spy pen is a camera that on a single charge can record 80 minutes of audio and video. After you're done capturing the incriminating footage, transfer it via USB. (Check out our full review here). Price: $75
7. Home Security Camera Even though spies spend much of their time deployed on secret missions, they still have a place to call their home (likely somewhere near Langley, VA). To keep an eye out against intruders, the SwannEye will automatically alert you when it detects motion, with options for it to record real-time video, shoot still images or sound an alarm system. Price: $130
9. Rear-view Sunglasses If we had an extra pair of eyes on the back of our heads, nobody could take us by surprise. Since that isn't possible, here's the next best thing: sunglasses that allow you to see behind you. Think of it as a personal rearview mirror. Price: $13
10. Evidence Kit Playing detective is part of the spy job description, and this forensics kit will help you dust, inspect and file prints. The kit also includes a microscope to magnify at 30 times, UV black light, collection bags, glow-in-the-dark powder (for raves?) and more. Price: $22
11. Voice Scrambler A covert voice scrambler, this will allow spies to disguise their voices when poking around for clues. Just be sure to get on a secure line, because otherwise this might not be so useful after all. Price: $12
12. Durable battery pack Even spies are plagued with dead phones. To make sure your spy will always be able to call for backup, carry the BattStation Tough Dual Pro, which on top of providing 7200 or 8400 mAh of additional power and is impact- and splash-resistant, handy during missions. The integrated torch light will also help when fumbling around in the dark. Price: $30-$40
13. Heavy-duty paper shredder Spies don't just collect evidence. Being as stealthy as they are, they're also expected to destroy it. Swingline's Stack-and-Shred will obliterate and crosscut a stack of 100 sheets of paper (in addition to credit cards, paper clips and staples) at a time. Price: $210
14. Laptop privacy filter Working on some secret documents? Keep prying eyes away with the 3M privacy filter, which darkens on-screen data when viewed from the side. Price: $30
15. DIY burning laser watch Spies will find having a laser handy. This isn't something you can pick up at the store, but with the help of Instructables, about $10 in parts and some soldering skills, you can create a Bond-esque wearable gadget to start fires. Price: about $10
8. Glasses Camera By now, everybody and his mom knows about Google Glass, but it's not making the list since it's not for sale (though developers were able to order it at Google I/O for $1,500). Instead, we're highlighting the spy sunglasses camera, which records 640x480 footage at 25 frames per second. A single charge should last five hours. Price: $139
3. Swiss Army USB Tool For storage that's more pocket friendly, there's the Victorinox Swiss Army Jetsetter, a multitool with a USB drive — useful when you need to steal digital files, diffuse a bomb or file your nails (hey, a spyâs got to maintain appearances). This thing's definitely going to come in handy, and believe it or not, it's even flight-friendly. Price: $40-100
