Saving the world is a monumental task, but it’s all in a day’s work for a secret agent. Apart from extensive training and a repertoire of finely honed skills, such an impressive operative needs the right set of tools to complete his or her objectives. So, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find the perfect gift for the spy who loves you. No small task, either, because this means you’re partly responsible for his or her success or failure. Fortunately, B&H is in the know, and is here to help with a diverse selection of offerings for the covert agent in your life. And we’ll let you in on a secret of our own: These gifts are great not only for bona fide spies and the most diehard 007 fans, but also for everyday civilians. The recipients don’t have to be on Her Majesty’s Secret Service to enjoy these fun, useful gadgets and tools, but fair warning—they just might get excited and inspired enough to make a career change, and trade in that SUV for an Aston Martin (one of the few things we don’t offer at B&H).
A pocket-sized eye in the sky, the ZeroTech DOBBY Pocket Drone allows a spy to discreetly perform aerial reconnaissance of that heavily guarded compound in enemy territory, and the surrounding area. Survey the terrain, get a headcount of the adversaries, and identify key points like entryways and exits before making the approach, dispatching the sentinels, and sneaking in. The drone captures 4K video and 13MP photos, saving them to 16GB of memory, and features facial recognition technology for confirming targets. It can be controlled from an iOS or Android smartphone via Wi-Fi, or through verbal commands or hand gestures. The Swiss Army Knife of drones, DOBBY looks as unassuming as an eyeglasses case until you unfold its propeller arms. The GPS-equipped unit comes mission-ready with a battery delivering up to 9 minutes of flight time, and it will take off from the palm of your spy’s hand. Indoors, optical flow technology allows it to navigate without the aid of GPS satellites.
Stealthily record meetings and observations of people, evidence, or information critical to global security—in Full HD 1080 video with sound or 12MP photos—using the BrickHouse Security WriteShot Pen with 1080p Covert Camera. Whether handheld, clipped to a shirt or tuxedo jacket pocket, or just lying on a table, this stylish stylus will be an asset to an agent. Save files to a microSD card, and view and download them on a laptop later via the built-in USB connector.
Every spy needs a watch that’s so much more than just a timepiece—like the Avangard Optics Spy Watch Hidden Camera with 8GB DVR. Sleek and stylish, this gadget captures 640 x 480 video with audio, as well as 1.2MP photos. It’s not HD, but then again, agents don’t always need HD—especially when they’re recording up close, as this watch is designed to do. It’ll get the job done, and its DVR with 8GB of flash memory will save the proof that your beloved spy has risked life and limb to acquire. On a full charge, the watch offers a run time of approximately 115 minutes.
Another effective, wearable hidden imaging device is this pair of KJB Security Stylish Glasses with 720p Covert Camera. With a modern, fashionable look, they can complete a sharp outfit or serve as part of a crucial disguise that will allow an agent to gain entry into that mysterious, suspicious billionaire’s gala in Monte Carlo. Once inside the mansion and mingling with the rest of the guests, he or she can record HD 720p video of the wealthy mogul and other high-value targets. The camera features an ample 62-degree angle of view and a run time of 1.5 hours per charge. Captured footage, with date and time stamps, is saved to 8GB of built-in storage, and a USB port enables file transfer to your computer. For video plus audio and glare protection, look no further than the BrickHouse Security SpyShades Hidden Camera Sunglasses, providing an hour of recording time per charge.
In addition to wearable cameras, the covert operative who has your heart would certainly benefit from a discreet mountable recording gadget. We recommend the EverFocus 1080p HD Indoor Day/Night Covert Motion Detector Camera. Designed to look just like a common, compact motion detector, it can be easily installed on a wall and adjusted to various angles, to stream 1080p video of what’s transpiring in the room. The unit must be connected to a DVR to enable recording. It is configured with the required video, power, and OSD (on-screen display) control jacks. As a bonus, the OSD can also be pulled up using an included remote control to assign various settings. The camera is not motion-activated, but rather, functions as designated by the DVR. With built-in infrared LEDs, the device is capable of producing clear images even in total darkness.
For clandestinely obtaining copies of critical documents, photos, and transaction records, the super-compact Doxie Flip Mobile Flatbed Scanner is an excellent choice. Make 4 x 6" scans at 600 dpi, or drop the resolution down to 300 dpi to complete each one in just 7 seconds. Four AA batteries provide enough juice for 200 scans before they need to be replaced. In addition to functioning as a standard scanner, the versatile Doxie has a detachable lid so that it can be flipped over to scan directly on top of documents, items, and sketches—allowing you to copy items that wouldn’t fit on the unit in the conventional way.
When searching the shady billionaire’s, politician’s, or military general’s private office, a spy needs a way to see in the dark without flipping on bright lights and attracting unwanted attention. That’s where the SureFire Titan Ultra-Compact Dual-Output LED Flashlight comes in. Small enough to fit on a keychain, it offers a wide angle of coverage and a maximum output of only 125 lumens—bright enough to read documents and see photos, but dim enough to go undetected.
Getting a closer look at a distant person or scene is often a crucial component of a secret agent’s work. Small enough to fit in the palm of one’s hand, the Zeiss 8x25 Terra ED Compact Binocular offers superior optical performance in an easily portable form factor, which can be folded up for storage in most pockets, thanks to a dual-hinge, closed-bridge design. The 8x magnification and 25mm objective lenses offer just the right balance of power, brightness, and field of view, while the fully multicoated, anti-reflective, Schott extra low-dispersion (ED) glass delivers excellent clarity, contrast, and color. As an added perk, the binocular is water resistant and rubber armored for impact protection, so it’s ready to go wherever a spy’s duty calls: the jungle, the mountains, the tundra—almost anywhere.
One of the most versatile items a secret agent can carry, the Victorinox SwissCard is a 9-tool set that’s the size of a credit card. The entire contents—a straight blade, steel pin, scissors, screwdriver, pressurized ballpoint pen, and more—fit into an extra-slim sleeve that slides into a wallet. Taking the convenience of a multi-tool and putting it into the most low-profile, easily hidden form factor possible, the SwissCard was made for spies. The one in your life will certainly appreciate having an edged weapon that doubles as a tool, a steel pin for picking locks and more, and a series of other useful implements for various situations. Looking for a full-on Swiss Army knife that’s a good fit for your spy? Grab the Victorinox Explorer Pocket Knife. With a folded length of only 3.6", it packs 16 tools, including two blades, a magnifying lens, a multi-purpose hook, and a wire stripper, to name a few.
Whether you’re buying for the real spy who loves you, James Bond’s biggest fan, or a regular citizen, these gifts are exceptional choices. Drones for recon also allow civilians to take aerial group shots at parties and events, or capture footage for film, TV, and web projects. Hidden-camera pens and watches utilized by operatives are also great for recording school lectures and work meetings, or keeping an eye on the babysitter or contractor working in your home. Binoculars that give spies a closer look at targets also make great lenses for bird watching, hiking, and sightseeing. And flashlights, knives, and compact tool sets are great assets to have with you at all times, as they can help you in numerous emergency situations.
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