Micro and Mini Recorders

We have all watched the spy movies and read the novels where the secret agent has every gadget under the sun, but the one that always saves the day and catches the bad guy in the act is the little micro recorder in the shape of a pen. Welcome to the spy world, because these little things really do exist.

Micro and mini recorders and mini cameras have been in existence for quite some time; they are indeed not that new to the world of technology. Since Thomas Edison first invented the phonograph in the 1800s, recording devices have been redesigned and reformatted to become smaller and more compact while increasing the storage capacity and quality of sound. What once was an oversized piece of equipment only suited to parlors and sitting rooms now fits into a pocket or purse and has the ability to pick up sound several yards away and has become affordable to almost everyone.

Micro recorders and cameras come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and price ranges. Not only can you get them camouflaged as a pen, but also cell phones, sunglasses, watches, rings, or just about any other object you can think of, making disguising their presence very easy. The range on which these devices can effectively pick up sound and images varies, but the typical range is 15 – 25 feet for quality sound, depending on background noise. Images depend on the zoom capabilities.

Although there are many covert uses for these devices because of their size and capabilities, there are very practical uses as well. One such use is the college setting. Many times in large classes, it is difficult to hear the professor or take the large quantity of notes necessary. The use of a micro recorder can be very useful in recording the notes, and the micro camera can be useful in taking photos of the illustrations the professor gives without disturbing the entire class.

Home security is becoming a large portion of the buying market for micro and mini recorders and cameras. Homeowners have taken it upon themselves to catch criminals on tape and committing the act of theft. These devices are useful in this situation because they offer live feeds to security cameras along with sound streaming and image recording capabilities, so all areas of the house are monitored without notifying the thief that they are now on camera for authorities to see.

Also available are miniature GPS units that can help you pinpoint locations or even track your small children or the very elderly should they accidentally wander off, proving that this new breed of micro electronics are very advanced and very useful for just about anyone.