Equipment: Spying on the Cheap

When engaged in the espionage hobby, the main obstacle is equipment. Since we are individuals, and not huge agency with undisclosed budgets, it can be difficult to find well-priced and useful equipment. Take the spy camera finder, for instance. Clearly a useful gadget, but one that shouldn't be as expensive as it is.

There are few sources that we can tap into. DealExtreme is definitely worth a look. RF detectors (bug detectors) that typically sell for $40 - 100 range go for under $15 here, including shipping. Both a compact and regular model are available. While ordering, why not buy a whole set of UV lights? The equipment you find here will be very competitively priced, and you might find some surprisingly useful things.

Another gadget that you might have right now is the now ubiquitous mini SD card. If you haven't purchased one, they can easily be found for $10 if you're willing to do some looking. The beauty of this card is that it something agencies would have literally killed for only a decade ago. With 1GB storage, you can easily store maps, one-time pads, or photos on the card using strong, government level encryption. Once you have placed your covert materials on the card, just open the back of your watch, place in the mini SD, and screw back on the cover. Works even better with screw-down case backs (you'll want to get a watch opener though).