Introduction: Covert Spy Sunglasses

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I've always wanted a pair of spy sunglasses that record stealth video but they run upwards of $300. So here's how to make your own that work great, record color video AND audio! Watch the Test Results in the video!


Step 1: What You Need...

1. Micro Color Spy Camera that records audio and has an optional 9 volt power clip. GET IT HERE
Specs:
NTSC 380 TV Lines
2 LUX
Effective Element: 510x492
Viewing angle: 30 ~ 35 degrees
Automatic Iris, Exposure with adjustable focus
Viewing Distance: 50 mm to infinity
Full Motion Real Time Color Video without delay
Operating Voltage: 9-Volt Battery or AC-DC +8V 200mA Power Adapter
Operating Duration by Battery: 10 hours on Duracell or Energizer Alkaline Battery

2. 1 Pair Solar Shield Polarized Sunglasses. I picked a size Medium ($19.95 + tax - Walmart)

Step 2: Tools...

1. Soldering station
2. Hot glue gun
3. Wire Strippers/snips
4. Heat shrink tubing
5. 9 Volt battery
6. Small Camcorder

Step 3: Prep the Camera...

First trim back the molding on the camera to reveal the wiring. My camera had 4 wires. 1 for Video, Audio, Power and ground. That came together at 3 connectors. (The ground was connected to the ground wires on the video, audio and power line). I tehn cut the wireing about 4 inches from the camera leaving enough wiring on the other end.

Step 4: Extend the Wiring...

Now we want to add some wire to each line to extend it about 3 feet. After marking what each line is, solder one length of wire to each of the 4 cut lines coming from the camer. Add some shrink tubing and then solder the other ends of the new wire to the connector end.

Step 5: Installing the Spy Cam...

The Solar Shield glasses are great because there is plenty of room to install the newly wired camera in a far corner and secure with hot glue. Clean the glasses good before you install the camera because you are not going to be able to access the lens area again once installed. Then secure the wiring along the arm of the glasses. The black shrink tubing gets concealed perfectly.

Step 6: Connect the Camera...

I chose a Sony Camcorder that I already had (DCR-H32) because of it's size, it has A/V inputs and shoots MiniDV. You can easily hide the wiring down the back of your neck and in your shirt and then down into a pocket in your pants, inside a jacket pocket or anywhere else. Add the 9 volt battery clip and you are ready to shoot some spy footage!

Step 7: Color Video AND Audio

This setup shoots great color imagery for the price as you saw in the video and pretty clean audio. You could also include the audio wiring in the main strand and use a lavalier microphone attached somewhere on you, but I was mainly interested in the video. There's my Covert Spy Sunglasses for around $40! Enjoy!

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