101 Spy Gadgets for the Evil Genius Book
(14 votes, average: 4.29 out of 5)
This book blends MacGyver with Q, making quite sophisticated surveillance equipment using deprecated and 2nd hand devices. The author admirably articulates the overpriced nature of spy gadgets at high-priced so-called spy stores, highlighting the motivation for making your own kit.
I recently purchased this book having waited ages for it to be published. I certainly wasn’t disappointed! When they say 101 spy gadgets, its no exaggeration! However, there are a couple of items that I considered slightly dubious as spy gadgets (such as referring to using audio editing software!).
Many of the parts are salvaged from existing and cheap devices (VCRs, Camcorders, etc) in addition to common and inexpensive electronic components. The author does assume some electronics expertise on the part of the reader, but these are the most basic of skills that can be picked up in an afternoon with a basics of electronics book.
There are too many gadgets to list here, but some of my favourites are:
- Digital Camera Hacking (7 projects)
- Adapting a VCR for time-lapse recording
- Amplified Ears Project
- Night Vision Camera
- Remote Controlled Pan and Tilt Camera Control
- Spy Camera Killer
- And of course, the video controlled robot!
It’s a great read, and I’ll be playing about with some of the ideas soon! I recommend you look at the book 101 Spy Gadgets on Amazon, as it costs less than £20! It’s the cheapest I could find it!
August 18th, 2006 at 6:09 pm
I have to admit that this is a must have for those who love spy gadgets and to tinker.
Thanks Dan.
I’m looking forward to your next article.
Kind regards,
Kris
December 11th, 2006 at 1:09 am
hi. just thought id say i really like your site. im quite new to the spy gadgets. and find it quite hard to decide which sites are good to buy from and which sites are over pricing. could you reccomend me any good sites. for audio survelance not to expensive.
thanks.
December 11th, 2006 at 10:54 pm
What country are you from? I only know the UK countries. However, books such as the one above are fantastic, as it shows you how to make your own bugs too!
Dan
March 5th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
The overpriced goods in “spy shops” is a scandal. Thank goodness for sites like this. Not only is spy shop equipment very expensive but a lot of it is out of date - for example many still sell analogue phone recorders.
Now I’m not going t get into a debate about analogue versus digital (and how you can retrieve low level signals from analogue if you have the right approach) because the immeasurably longer record time and frequency response of digital are winners for me.
OTOH ISTR that digital may not be as permissible as analogue in courts because digital recording can be more easily compromised.
– finker
April 27th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
hi
saw ur site it’s really good.i want to make a spy listening gadget,could u plz provide me with the diagram(cuircit diagram).even of a very cheap one will be ok with me.need it very badly.plz mail me the diagram.
April 27th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
I’m glad you like the site.
I suggest you look at the bug from Quasar Electronics. It comes as a kit with a circuit diagram.
http://www.spyreview.co.uk/200.....ansmitter/
May 30th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
I love this book i think how it pushes you not to go out and buy over priced gadgets and instead make you own out of things that you ussually have around the house is brilliant. I found this book on http://www.play.com for £15 cheapest i could find.
May 31st, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Amazon has it for less than £15 at the moment.
November 12th, 2007 at 12:08 am
hey i was wondering how do u make night vison goggles????
November 12th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Sadly the book doesn’t tell you how to make night vision Goggles, but it does tell you how you can see in the dark with a spy camera. Night vision goggles are essentially a very IR-sensitive camera, a strong infrared light and a video display suitable for the eye. Google has plenty of information about them.
March 7th, 2008 at 11:11 am
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March 15th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
[…] gadgets are electronics based, so gaining electronics knowledge is the key. This is why I think the 101 Spy Gadgets for the Evil Genius Book is such a good book, as the focus is on modifying existing technology to create a spy gadget. […]