| ✔️ Peace of mind | ✘ Needs a hard case for travel |
| ✔️ Does Identify Hidden Cameras | ✘ Registers other Reflective Objects |
| ✔️ One Push Control | ✘ Very light/Plastic feel |
| ✔️ Ergonomically Designed | ✘ |
| ✔️ | ✘ |
{Tech} for Travel Says….
Hands-On Review: We live in an era where digital spying is, sadly, profitable for many different reasons. The SpyFinder Pro Hidden Camera Detector helps you stay secure when travelling by identifying concealed cameras.**Warning: there are flashing images in this post**
SpyFinder Pro Hidden Camera Detector
Whether you frequently travel to high-risk areas for work or even use home-shares, such as Airbnb, for family vacations security should always be considered.
With keyhole sized spy cameras readily available for as little as $30 on Amazon. Anyone with questionable motives and access to your accommodation could install one.
The concern here is that to the naked eye, many of us would struggle to spot one of these in our room.
Spy Associates, a USA based Security and Surveillance solutions company, has developed a travel-friendly solution to this problem, the SpyFinder Pro.
Features
For what could be a fairly technical issue, the solution is a simple one. The SpyFinder Pro uses 6 bright Red LEDs to bounce light around a room and has an operating range of 3-45ft.
At one end is a viewfinder placed in between the LEDs, and when you look through it with the LEDs flashing the SpyFinder Pro Detector can identify a hidden camera.
It achieves this by the LED lights reflecting off the curved lens of a hidden camera, which could be tucked away in an air vent or smoke alarm.
Build Quality
The device is shaped to house the 2 x AAA batteries needed to power it. This provides a short handle easy enough for anyone to hold and leaves the power button sat under your thumb….. if you’re right-handed!
Left-handers can use the SpyFinder Pro but need to keep their index finger low enough as to not block the LEDs.
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Apart from the power on/off button, there is a second button on the back called a ‘Light Controller’. This clicks through 3 levels of LED brightness.
The further away you are from the item you are scanning will require a stronger LED beam.
Hidden Camera Detecting
So the big question is does it work? And the answer is a Yes and No!
As advertised, when I looked through the ViewFinder at an exposed lens like on a GoPro, it worked very well. The lens was much brighter and pulsed as the LEDs blinked against it.
This helped me easily identify it. However, by chance, I did notice different results when a lens was covered by glass.
As an example, when I used the SpyFinder Pro Hidden Camera Detector on the MacBook Pro Webcam I was using for this review, it never pulsed.
Instead, the webcam shone very brightly, more so than the glass bezel it is framed in.
I tried again on my smartphone which has a clear plastic cover over the rear cam. Again, it was bright enough to identify it as a lens but did not pulse.
When I removed the case it did!
Be Aware of False Readings
In a strange kind of way, I wanted my Las Vegas hotel room to be bugged just so I could prove the SpyFinder Pro is a worthy investment. And I almost thought it had.
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On my first proper test of the SpyFinder Pro, I found a very bright light shining back at me from the air-vent.
Instead of a hidden camera though, I found a sharp piece of metal that appeared to have been caused by someone slipping with a tool when fitting it or carry out maintenance.
Moral of the story is that the SpyFinder Pro does work but can cause some confusion due to picking up shiny or reflective surfaces.
Once I could recognise the difference from a reflective surface to a genuine lens the SpyFinder Pro was easy to use.
Specifications
It’s worth noting that when I first turned on the SpyFinder Pro Hidden Camera Detector for the review I had it facing me. The 6 Red LEDs are extremely bright so be sure not to make the same mistake or point it at other people.
I think most users would rather an internal battery that can be charged over USB-C or Micro-USB. To make matters worse, the AAA battery door is held in by a small cross-head screw.
So even if you do need to replace the batteries when away, you need to work out how to unscrew the cover first.
- Dimensions – 11.4 x 3.8 x 1.6cm
- Weight – 53g
- Colour Options – Black
- Requires 2 x AAA Batteries
- Single Mode On/Off
- Light Controller/Pause Button
- In the Box –
- Batteries
- Screwdriver
- Instruction Manual
How Much Does the SpyFinder Pro Hidden Camera Detector Cost?
The SpyFinder Pro Hidden Camera Detector is $198/£152 direct from Spy Associates.
Final Thoughts…
During this review of the SpyFinder Pro Hidden Camera Detector, I did encounter a couple of issues. Most notably the fact, for me, it appeared to pick up other reflective surfaces and not just camera lenses.
Secondly, the build quality didn’t feel like the price paid for the device. At over $140 I would expect a slightly more premium feel and rechargeable internal batteries. Maybe, a protective travel case too!
The on/off button is very easily activated. I was pulled aside for secondary screening by the TSA when I arrived at JFK airport.
When I opened my backpack to a very bright beacon of flashing red light in front of two TSA agents……I don’t wish to relieve those 10 seconds ever again!
However, if security is a concern to you or your family then the SpyFinder Pro Hidden Camera Detector should be a part of your travel gadgets.