Home Security Gadgets & Reviews

So, you’ve always wanted to make your own spy gadgets?

This post isn’t really about home security, but I saw a fun looking book over at Amazon that seemed closely enough related that I could get away with mentioning it here:

101 Spy Gadgets for the Evil Genius

Doesn’t this just look like fun? The book lists step-by-step projects for putting together hidden cameras, computer monitoring, radios and scanners, night vision device, etc.

Here’s a snippet from the book description:

“This book offers an amazingly awesome and complete collection of professional spy tools that you can build yourself. You can build any project in this thrilling arsenal of spy devices for $30 or less! Not only that, even total beginners to electronics can construct these mind-boggling snooping tools.”

From some of the reviews at Amazon, it does sound like you need some electronics know-how to get the most out of the book, but if you’ve got a gadget lover in the family, this could be a fun gift.

101 Spy Gadgets for the Evil Genius

It’s that time of year when kids head back to school, and if you have a son or daughter going off to college for the first time, you may worry about his or her security on campus. It might not be possible to give the gift of absolute safety, but you can at least educate your children (and yourself!) on personal security.

I just read Street Smarts, Firearms, And Personal Security : Jim Grover’s Guide To Staying Alive And Avoiding Crime In The Real World , and it’s definitely a good resource.

If you are worried about your kids being off on their own, knowing they have read this book (and are putting the tactics into practice) should make you feel more comfortable. Of course, this isn’t the kind of gift that will excite them probably, but hey you can always tape it to a new iPod.

Walk softly and carry a big stun stick.

That’s the way to feel safe and secure when you’re out roaming the neighborhood. This new non-lethal weapon is reputed to cause any potential mugger, rapist, or other assailant enough pain to convince him to get a new, less hazardous hobby. Inspired by the inventor’s son’s light saber toy, the Stunstick Neuroscrambler may soon be available for personal use.

Similar to other stun devices, the stick works by giving a high-voltage, low-amperage electrical charge, which overrides message from the brain to the muscles and leaves the victim unable to control that part of his body. Unlike any other stun devices on the market, it also works like a Taser, making contact in two points, and using higher voltages to force muscles to contract throughout the body, which makes the victim collapse.

What do you think? Will it be available through Amazon soon?

If you’re worried about what kind of Internet sites your kids are surfing to, or who they’re chatting with online, when you’re not in the room or at home, this gadget may help. The Snoop Stick is a USB device that allows you to monitor who’s doing what on your home computer.

At first, I thought you stuck the drive into a free slot on your home computer and it downloaded recordings (and all someone would have to do is unplug it to evade its eye), but it looks like the drive is for the monitor not the monitoree (ok, that’s not a word, I’m sure). You take it with you to work or wherever and plug it into that computer, and then it lets you sync up with your home computer to see what’s going on there.

The device can monitor in real time or play back recent activity. The Snoop Stick is $60 and can be used to monitor up to 3 different computers.

http://www.snoopstick.com/

If your outdoor lighting isn’t sufficient to brighten the path to the front door after dark (or maybe you just forget to leave the porch light on sometimes), you can trip, stumble, or just waste minutes fumbling to unlock the lock. This can be a double pain if you’re carrying a bag of groceries or something heavy and only have one hand free.

These little key lights are a good idea, because they are bright enough to illuminate up the path in front of you or just shine a beam on the door lock so you can see what you’re doing. You squeeze to activate the light, so one hand is all that’s needed. According to the company that makes them, the keys use long-lasting lithium batteries that should allow for years of use without needing to replace them. The keys are available in 5 different colors with lights to match. (The purple and red ones look fun.)

http://www.keylights.com/

Had a few beers when you were out tonight? Not sure if you’re legally okay to drive? Remember, it’s not just about obeying the law; it’s about driving smart to keep you and others on the road safe.

This personal alcohol detector can help you make the right decision on whether or not to get behind the wheel. It can measure your blood alcohol content in just a few seconds. Just push the button and breathe on the thing. If you meet or exceed the legal limit, you’ll know you need to get a cab or have a friend take you home. A smart choice for personal security.

The gadget costs about $40 and is small enough to fit in your pocket.

Available from PreventSecurity.com

At first I thought this was a working cell phone and a stun gun, but it’s actually just a stun gun designed to look like a cell phone. The product description swears the unique design gives you a tactical advantage. What do you think? I guess it could be helpful if you want to fake out your assailants. Wait, don’t attack me…. here, I’ll give you my valuables, my watch, my keys, my wallet, and, oh, here’s my cell phone: Zap!

If that sounds promising to you (or maybe you can get it as a gift for someone else), you can find more information about the faux cell phone at Personal Self-defense Online, a site that sells all sorts of little mace keychains and the like.

If you have to travel the streets, take the bus, or even just walk through a dark parking lot at night, you might feel safer with some kind of personal protection. There are quite a few devices you can get, ranging from mace to kubotans, that can fit in your purse or hook onto your keychain. I thought this stun gun (well actually, it’s a “stun pen”) from Streetwise was a cool idea.

If someone attacks you, you can zap them with 800,000 volts (the “highest voltage pen type stun gun available today”) that will surely convince them to leave you alone. They’ll be effectively stunned for long enough for you to get away. The pen also includes a long-lasting LED flashlight that can help you see the lock when you’re opening your car or unlocking the front door on a dark night.

The gadget can be attached to your keychain and costs $80 from Amazon. It would make a good Christmas present for anyone you care about who often has to walk alone in the evening.

Streetwise 800,000 Volt Stun Pen and Led Flashlight