Baby's First Spy Camera

Mike Riggs | August 12, 2008

Convinced that the neighbors are up to no good, but reluctant to call in the fuzz without some evidence? Buy a Spy Kite for the little ones, and let them gather the dirt for you! The Spy Kite couples a light-weight fiberglass frame with a digital camera that can snap blackmail material from a height of 80 feet.

H&R readers: Creepy violation of neighborhood camaraderie, or just plain ole' fun? (Alternative question: Would something a little more obvious be any less offensive?)

Via Gizmodo.

Comments

Nigel Watt|8.12.08 @ 1:25PM|#

Creepy.

Abdul|8.12.08 @ 1:27PM|#

At least that justifies me writing "Screw you, neighbor!" in my lawn with Round-up.

Elemenope|8.12.08 @ 1:28PM|#

Creepy violation of neighborhood camaraderie, or just plain ole' fun?

You imply a disjunction where one doesn't necessarily exist.

Boston|8.12.08 @ 1:30PM|#

This works at the beach right?

|8.12.08 @ 1:43PM|#

totally uncreepy. It's just a toy. What sort of "incriminating photos" do you think you can get from a birds eye view anyway?

NoStar|8.12.08 @ 1:46PM|#

You can also get cardboard tube rockets with built a built in camera that will take pictures once the parachute opens and the spent rocket descends.

|8.12.08 @ 1:50PM|#

How does one balance the right to fly awesome camera kites and the right to privacy? Let me recomend an air gun. I've heard of kites with cameras what seems new is that they are calling this a spy kite which is more creepy. I think I would draw the line at remote controlled spying equipment which allows targeted spying and displaying or distributing photographs of other people's properties if they have invested in a high fence. Not saying you shouldn't be able to buy spy planes just not able to fly them over my house.

|8.12.08 @ 1:53PM|#

There goes my naked sunbathing plans for the summer of 2009.

.17HMR would definitely be a good solution to this problem.

|8.12.08 @ 1:54PM|#

Hey, why should the cops have all the fun? If we can get everybody to spy on and report their neighbors, think of the cost savings!

And you thought that $1000 privacy fence around your pool would allow skinny dipping, dope smoking and sexual shenanigans with complete privacy.

Ska|8.12.08 @ 1:55PM|#

What sort of "incriminating photos" do you think you can get from a birds eye view anyway?


I could imagine doggy-style, missionary, and reverse cowboy all being discernable and incriminating.

|8.12.08 @ 1:55PM|#

*this problem* being one I perceive, in that I don't want to be secretly photographed while on my own private property.

robc|8.12.08 @ 2:04PM|#

MadBiker,

I don't want to be secretly photographed while on my own private property.

Instead of a privacy fence, build an opaque dome. Problem solved.

|8.12.08 @ 2:04PM|#

I could imagine doggy-style, missionary, and reverse cowboy all being discernable and incriminating.

Only if performed outside and during the day.

I think I would've liked this kite as a kid, just for the aerial shots of my yard.

Ska|8.12.08 @ 2:09PM|#

Only if performed outside and during the day.

That's true, and I would hate to be deprived of the option.

This reminds me of one magical days in my early youth, when I was cutting backyards with my friend and my brother, and we saw one of the neighbors hanging her laundry topless. It was a glorious day, one I can still mention to my brother and he'd most likely remember it.

|8.12.08 @ 2:10PM|#

Can you detach the camera and mount it on a remote-control helicopter?

Episiarch|8.12.08 @ 2:14PM|#

What would you need this for? You can just download digital drugs that give you clairvoyance and clairaudience.

Kolohe|8.12.08 @ 2:42PM|#

So, besides scale and timeliness, how is this different Google Earth/Maps?

Alan Vanneman|8.12.08 @ 2:56PM|#

Do the math. You have kite camera + I have .357 magnum = I win.

That's why I became a libertarian.

Taktix®|8.12.08 @ 3:55PM|#

So, besides scale and timeliness, how is this different Google Earth/Maps?

Mostly its timeliness... and its scale...

Kolohe|8.12.08 @ 6:39PM|#

Taktix-
Ok, I deserved that.

I guess my point is, where do you draw the line?

Fresno Bob|8.12.08 @ 6:41PM|#

|8.12.08 @ 9:18PM|#

Google "Kite Aerial Photography". There was an issue of "Make Magazine" several years ago (one of the first year) which described in great detail how to make one of these. The elevated viewpoint makes the pictures pretty interesting, as well. This isn't exactly ground-breaking.

How often do any of you actually sunbathe nude when the wind's blowing hard enough to fly a kite? When was the last time you saw anyone fly a kite of any kind in a residential neighborhood? If you really want to get incriminating, buy an $8000 thermal camera.

|8.13.08 @ 12:02AM|#

I could imagine doggy-style, missionary, and reverse cowboy all being discernable and incriminating.

Uh, do you mean reverse cowgirl?

I mean, it's cool if you don't but...

Paul|8.13.08 @ 2:03AM|#

I'm so getting one of these. I can attach it to my spy car. Then I can shoot from above, and get some upskirt from below. I'm all tingly.

Paul|8.13.08 @ 2:04AM|#

How often do any of you actually sunbathe nude when the wind's blowing hard enough to fly a kite?

*raises hand*