Review: Spy Gear Security Scanner, Lie Detector, Secret Agent Pen, and Decoy Listening Device

Written on Oct 3, 2011 by RuthJS and filed under Brands, Reviews, Wild Planet

Here, at KidsTechReview.com, we love Spy Gear (queue MI theme song). So, when we got our hands on the Security Scanner, Lie Detector Kit with bonus Secret Agent Pen, and Spy Decoy Listener, we could not have been more excited. And, we were not disappointed.

All or the items require batteries and are appropriate for ages six and up.

Security Scanner

Part of the Security line of Spy Gear products, the Security Scanner lights up and beeps when it detects mental. Install one nine volt battery, and you are ready to go. The red dial on the front turns the device on and adjusts the sensitivity.

I have to say, I was impressed that the scanner actually does detect metal. As long as the silver side is pointed toward the suspect, the scanner was pretty reliable. For example, my dog was caught smuggling a tag and a water bowl into the office.

Unfortunately, there is no “ham sandwich” setting on the scanner, so my lunch is still MIA, and my dog remains the primary suspect.

Spy Glasses

As an added bonus, the Security Scanner came with a pair of polarized spy glasses. The amber lenses help to sharpen images, and the wrap around style is streamlined, just like spy accessories should be. And, yes, they really work as amber sunglasses.

Overall: Security Scanner and Glasses

• Requires one 9V battery (for scanner, not sunglasses )
• Available for around $15
• Impressions: Oh yeah!

Lie Detector Kit

Not sure if you can trust what your suspect is telling you? Well, any good spy will be packing the Lie Detector Kit to judge veracity. Open the detector case, slip in two AA batteries, and set out the finger sensors, and you are ready to go.

The two nodes on the sensors measure moisture, and a nervous suspect (that is, one who is lying) is usually a sweaty suspect. Simply ask a question, touch the sensors, and the lights will illuminate, telling you whether you can trust the answer or not. If all four lights glow, BUSTED.

Keeping track of the answers is easy when you plot the number of lights on a paper scroll integrated in the unit. And, don’t worry about running out of paper, there’s a spare scroll included with the kit.

Another helpful tool is the Lie Detection Clues booklet.

Say you ask a question, and the lie detector shows two lights. Is your suspect being truthful or trying to get away with something? Consult the clues booklet to get hints about reading body language that just may help you tell truth from fiction. This handy book fits nicely in the detection kit box, so you will always have it ready when you need it.

The reactions from our testers was very positive. They really liked feeling like, “a real spy” with all the gadgets. And, while I wouldn’t recommend this kit to the local PD or to INTERPOL, it was definitely fun for our testers.

Overall: Lie Detector

• Requires two AA batteries
• Available for around $12
• Impressions: fun toy for imaginative play, results are not necessarily reliable, but it’s a toy, and our testers really enjoyed it

Secret Agent Pen

Our lie detector kit came with a bonus pen designed specifically for a secret agent (also available separately). One end has a pen tip with invisible ink; the other end has a purple decoder light (powered by three included button cell batteries). In the middle is a secret compartment where you can store the note.

Once you’ve written your secret message, the ink disappears, and it looks like you are holding a blank piece of paper.

Your words will remain a mystery until a fellow spy finds the paper and shines the decoder light to reveal the message.

Our testers liked to roll up the paper, slip it in the pen’s secret compartment, and flip the lock for safe keeping. Then they “loaned” the pen to a fellow spy who knew how to retrieve the message. Many secret rendezvous were planned this way.

Overall: Lie Detector and Pen

• Comes with three button cell batteries (for the light)
• Available for around $10
• Impressions: Fun, easy to use, loved by our little spy testers

Spy Decoy Listener

Is that someone listening in to our super secret conversation?  No, it’s just someone on a cell phone . . . or is it? The Spy Decoy Listener will allow you to eavesdrop while keeping your true purpose a secret.

The Spy Decoy Listener looks like a cell phone, but it has a mini amplifier that picks up sounds, and plays them directly into your ears, allowing you to overhear conversations while remaining incognito. With the phone open, you can flip the red amplifier out and angle it toward the sounds you want to hear. Then, simply listen. If you add an occasional, “uh huh” or , “yes, I see,” no one will know what you are really up to. If you suspect someone is on to you, press the 5 key, and close the phone. Moments later, the phone will ring just like a real phone.

While the microphone is not particularly good at picking up sound from any distance, our testers loved the ability to remain casual while secretly listening into conversations. The amplifier worked alright from 6 feet or less, but it could be difficult to hear over other ambient noise (wind, music, etc.). That said, well-placed plants provided inconspicuous cover, allowing testers to get closer and hear better.

• Comes with three LR44 batteries
• Available for anywhere between $3 and $17
• Impressions: not really great for listening, but fun bit of spy gear, especially if you get it for less than $10

In an Nutshell

In short, we got two thumbs up from the little spys who played with the Security Scanner, Lie Detector Kit, Secret Agent Pen, Spy Decoy Listener, and the glasses. We feel that you can find each toy for a price that is right for its functionality. The best part is that the toys provide rich fodder for imaginative play, growing little brains.

We happily give all of the Spy Gear in this review:

5 out of 5 stars

 

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