Customer Reviews

101 Spy Gadgets for the Evil Genius

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

At first I thought that this particular book in the Evil Genius series might be a bit too cheesy for my taste, but it does have some very interesting content. As with all of the evil genius books, you should not expect a deep amount of theory on the inner workings of the various electronic devices discussed, but there is enough theory and construction detail that you will learn much about how to modify and control devices and be able to produce some interesting projects. The book does spend quite a bit of space on the operational details of cameras including digital photo enhancement, hooking up a web cam, and long range digital photography. This book has the quality and attention to detail in the instructions, diagrams, and photographs that, quite frankly, have been missing from recent entries in the Evil Genius project books.

Since in many ways this book is aimed at teens that want to learn by being mischievous, if you are a parent you need to look through the book carefully to make sure nothing dangerous is going on before turning your teenager loose with it. Oddly enough, the chapter on laser gadgets was fairly innocuous. It mainly consisted of using laser pointers to control devices remotely. The chapter that worries me is the chapter on "Protection and Countermeasures", since there are several projects that are variations of remote shocking devices using tasers. The most interesting chapter is the final one that is basically just one big project - building a spy robot - that is broken down into eleven smaller projects and builds on all of the material presented in the previous chapters. I especially recommend this book for adult hobbyists as well as parents and teachers who want some material on electronics that will likely hold a teenager's attention and teach them something at the same time. The table of contents is as follows:

Section One: Introduction
Section Two: Audio Eavesdropping and Recording
Project 1--Microrecorder Hacking
Project 2--Ultrahigh-Gain Microphone Preamp
Project 3--Bionic Stereo Spy Ears
Project 4--Parabolic Dish Microphone
Project 5--Working with Audio on Your Computer
Project 6--Filtering Out Background Noises
Project 7: Wiring Your Body to Record Audio

Section Three: Hard Wired Telephone Devices
Project 8--Telephone Audio Interface
Project 9--Automatic Call Recorder
Project 10--Sound Activated Computer Call Logger
Project 11--Super Stealth Line Tap
Project 12--Telephone Input/Output Box
Project 13--Using Computer Effects to Disguise Your Voice
Project 14--Simple Digital Voice Disguiser Circuit
Project 15--Ultimate Telephone Voice Changer
Project 16--Let Your Computer Do the Talking
Project 17--World Wide Telephone Tap

Section Four: Digital Camera Hacking
Project 18--Enhancing Digital Photos
Project 19--Hacking the Digital Camera's Trigger
Project 20--Covert Handbag Digital Camera
Project 21--Time Lapse Camera Trigger
Project 22--Motion Sensing Camera Trigger
Project 23--Digital Camera Gun Sight
Project 24--Long-Range Digital Photography

Section Five: Video Cameras and Recording
Project 25--Video Signal and Camera Basics
Project 26--Recording Video Signals
Project 27: Hack a VCR for Time-Lapse Recording
Project 28--Motion Controlled Audio Record
Project 29--Multiple Camera Auto Switcher
Project 30--Working with Video on a Computer
Project 31--Web Cameras as Security Cameras

Section Six: Covert and Hidden Spy Cameras
Project 32--Working with Microvideo Cameras
Project 33--Classic Nanny Cam
Project 34--Night Vision Fire Detector Cam
Project 35--Covert Marker Cam
Project 36--WYSIWYG Sunglasses
Project 37--Long-Range Video Camera
Project 38--Microscope Video Camera

Section Seven: Video Camera Pan and Tilt Control
Project 39--RC Servo Pan and Tilt Camera Base
Project 40--Remote Controlled Servo Base
Project 41--Manual Controlled Servo Base
Project 42--Microcontroller Controlled Servo Base
Project 43--Motion Tracking Camera

Section Eight: Night Vision Devices
Project 44--Using Low Lux Cameras
Project 45--Infrared, the Invisible Light
Project 46--LED Night Vision Illuminator
Project 47--Pulsed LEDS for Higher Output
Project 48--Outdoor Night Vision Illuminator
Project 49--Infrared Laser Illuminator
Project 50--Long-Range Laser Illuminator
Project 51--Night Vision Headgear

Section Nine: Audio Bugs and Transmitters
Project 52--Hacked Baby Monitor Bug
Project 53--FRS Radio Long-Range Bug
Project 54--Simple FM Room Bug
Project 55--Ultrasensitive Room Bug
Project 56--Micro Stealth Transmitter
Project 57--Telephone Line Transmitter
Project 58--Invisible Light Transmitter

Section Ten: Video Transmitters
Project 59--Hacking a Video Sender
Project 60--Micro Spy Transmitters
Project 61--Simple TV Transmitter
Project 62--TV Transmitter with Audio
Project 63--The Movie That Watches You
Project 64--Wall Wart Video Bug
Project 65--Cover Hat Cam
Project 66--Wall Clock Camera
Project 67--Kamikaze Video Transmitter

Section Eleven: Computer Monitoring
Project 68--Where Have You Been Today?
Project 69--Resurrecting Deleted Data
Project 70--Installing a Software Key Logger
Project 71--Build a High-Tech Hardware Key Logger
Project 72--Computer Screen Transmitter

Section Twelve: RF Scanners
Project 73--Scanning the Neighborhood
Project 74--Scanner Auto Recording Switch
Project 75--Scanner-to-Computer Interface
Project 76--Better Reception
Project 77--Bug Detection

Section Thirteen: Protection and Countermeasures
Project 78--Intruder Sentinel
Project 79--White Noise Generator
Project 80--Infrared Device Jammer
Project 81--Spy Camera Killer
Project 82--Shocking Device
Project 83--Ultra Small Shocking Device
Project 84--Motion Activated Shocker

Section Fourteen: Laser Spy Gadgets
Project 85--Lasernoculars
Project 86--Laser Beam Transmitter
Project 87--Laser Beam Receiver
Project 88--Laser Microphone Experiment
Project 89--Laser Perimeter Alarm
Project 90--Remote Control Sniper

Section Fifteen: Build a Mini Video Controlled Spy Robot
Project 91--Hacking a Remote Control Toy Base
Project 92--Creating the Weatherproof Shell
Project 93--Adding a Panning Camera Head
Project 94--Video Camera and Night Vision System
Project 95--RC Receiver to Servo Bridge Circuit
Project 96--Adding an Ultrasensitive Audio Preamp
Project 97--Payload Delivery Function
Project 98--Payload Delivery Hardware
Project 99--Creating a Portable Base Station
Project 100--Base Station Wiring and Installation
Project 101--Spy Robot Mission Testing

I've had this book for a couple of weeks and already had some questions. I went on the Atomic Zombie support spy gadgets forum and found the answers to my questions right away. It's nice to know that the authors do provide support and answer your questions in a day or so. There are some others on the forum that also help. It's a great community so if you buy this book make sure you also join the forum. There's a great section on where to find parts used in the projects. What more could a person ask for!? A great book and great support right from the authors. I'm very impressed.

I bought this book at the University book store, and it has paid for itself many times over. The information on hacking video senders is right on the money, and for $20, I turned the VCR sender bought at a department store into the $150 spy transmitter that many websites are selling.

Oh, and the taser gun made from the disposible camera.... Yah, it hurts! I would never try the two battery model > at least not on myself ;)

Anywho, thanks to the author, I enjoyed the way the book lays out each project as it is being made so there is no confusion, and the underground feel of this book reminds me of the old anarchist cookbook files that used to be available on dialup BBS sites.

I wonder if the author is on a no fly list now?!

Thanks.

Doesn't matter what your interest is, you can learn something from this book.

I had no intention of building any of the projects, but after reading the book through, and realizing how easy and honestly fun some of them are, I just have to give them a try.

Great pictures, and easy to read text not only help you build your projects but also include detailed explanations of why it actually works and what could be changed to fit your needs.
Unlike some of the other Evil Genius books authors, Graham actually uses parts from old electronics that normally cost you next to nothing. And his website and forum will help you with any problems you have, as well as update anything new he wants to add.

Easily the best book in the Genius series. Much enjoyed!

I just got my copy and read half of it already. It's easy to follow with tons of pictures and diagrams. By the time you get to the end of the book, you will learn alot about many different types of gadgets and valuable tips about video, audio, lasers, photo editing software, some computer technology and much more interesting stuff that you would have to read many books to understand.

Doesn't assume that you're an expert in various types of technologies but leads you into each project explaining every step until you build and test the final project.

You can find all of the parts needed for each project anywhere online, in retail stores, electronics stores, and so on. Try eBay - you can get great deals on mini cameras. That's where I buy alot of my electronics parts, and yes, there are lowcost mini black and white cameras for sale on eBay and all over the Internet. I have several!

It ain't "rocket science" finding the parts needed for these projects! Google, Yahoo, MSN, Ask.com - any search engine will yield results. If you like to tinker, hack and learn new stuff, then I highly recommend this book.

This kind of Evil Genius book is long overdue. I like the series for the variety of projects, but honestly most are expensive, complicated and forget finding all the parts you need unless you work at a research centre or university. This book is refreshingly different from the rest of the series.

101 Spy Gadgets is great! Reminds me of Popular Science projects I used to love making in my parents' basement. My favorite projects so far include the spy robot, computer hacking tips and the countermeasures. I used to make gadgets even more evil than these when I was a kid and believe me, my friends and I created some pretty dangerous stuff. Don't get me wrong - lots of the projects in this book are pretty intriguing for the mischevious minds, but it will appeal to many people of all ages.

Wait until you learn about baby monitors and hacking cameras! The countermeasures gadgets are very cool! Makes you want to try your hand at being a super sleuth just to try out your inventions. I like the fact that there are many pictures, diagrams and schematics that are clear and easy to follow.

These spy gadgets are useful, functional and encourage you to learn along the way. There is an excellent progression of projects throughout the book. I can tell that alot of thought was put into choosing and organizing projects logically.

You don't have to be an expert in anything but you will learn quite a bit throughout the book because there is alot of theory explaining various technologies and principles along the way. What a refreshing addition to the Evil Genius collection. I'm glad to see that McGraw is getting back to the real Evil Genius roots. Hope to see more books in this series like this spy gadgets book.

Two well deserved thumbs up!

I will admit, I am an Evil Genius fanatic, and enjoy the series immensely. This one has got to be the best so far, and the amount of detail and content is just great. I teach electronics, and find the "hacker" feel of this book to be a great inspiration not only to those wanting to learn electronics, but also for those who want to take the covert aspect of technology to the limits. Each project is presented in a format that actually shows how things are built, explains why certain parts are used and ideas for modifications are given.

The book is written in such a way that it will not be out dated as parts become obsolete, and most of the projects are made with easy to find inexpensive parts, or by hacking broken everyday appliances. The camera and night vision section is extremely interesting, and I have started on the infrared illuminator, which is showing great promise in my workshop.

I would definitely recommend this one, as it stays true to the "Evil Genius" name, and is very complete. It's nice to see this series back on track! Thanks - can't wait for the follow up volume. Oh, and thanks for this hidden camera section, my cousin has installed a few sneaky hidden cameras in his store to reduce theft.

M. Carlson

One will need an electronics background to understand this book. The author has some amazingly great ideas, I just wish I could understand half of what he wrote! I persuaded my uncle, who is an engineer, to explain them to me. This book is not meant for laymen. The series needs a prequel teaching the basics of electronics, and the parts the book that try to explain electronic basics is still too advanced for us regular people. So either take a class in 'electronics 101' or have an electronic engineer tutor you in this book. Too demanding for my intellect. However, it still deserves 5 stars for innovation.

This is a fun book, with lots of great ideas. However, it really needed tighter editing. There are several instances where the text did not agree with the schematics (schematic has 50K ohm pot, text discusses 50 ohm, etc). This is unfortunate, since novice readers may not spot the problems, and end up with circuits which don't work.

I'd also recommend a more traditional, left-to-right layout of the schematics. Some are left-right top-down, others are right-left. This makes it more difficult to follow the "flow" through the circuits.

Regardless of these hiccups, I'd recommend this book to those who'd like to tinker with "spy gear" or who are looking for simplier project ideas.

I purchased this book believing that it would be as advertised: a interesting collection of projects that you can complete with step-by-step directions, parts lists, etc. Well my fellow amazonian s, this is so very not the case. The book description is a crock (putting it mildly), and the plans that are within consist of sporadic sprinklings of diagrams or finished black and white photos of the projects which only serve to increase your frustration with this sham. Worse still, the website listed on the cover does not even make mention of the book - only chopper bicycles - so if you are hoping there is some redemption for the book there, think again! So to summarize for those contemplating this purchase:

1. THERE ARE NO STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO BUILD THE PROJECTS. Some of the earlier projects have a few pages written about the project, but as you advance through the book you find that these get sparser, and the details are woefully lacking.

2. THERE ARE NO LISTS OF MATERIALS/PARTS OR RECOMMENDED SOURCES. Zippo.

3. THERE IS NO SUPPORT ON THE LISTED WEBSITE, NOR ANY WAY OF CONTACTING THE AUTHORS FOR CLARIFICATION. This I find especially shameful, given the thrift of the project descriptions and parts list. It feels as if the author was only interested in making a quick buck only to vanish before his victims realized they had been had.

In short, save your money; I'm sure there are more capable electronic project books out there!! Hope this helps someone avoid making a disappointing purchase.