2010 January 08

It took me a while but I have finally become the owner of a digital camera. I can now be cool like all my friends who seem to carry a digital camera with them everywhere they go. I purchased an affordable camera that seemed suitable for my needs. Specifically, I bought the Nikon Coolpix L12 with a 7.1 Megapixel resolution, 3x optical zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD screen and compatibility with all recent versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems.

But this post is not about the camera that I bought but rather the nasty surprises that were associated with the purchase.

I set out this morning to spend no more than $150 wishing to buy a decent camera that will last me at least a couple of years. I browsed the Internet for a bit to check out the prices for such cameras and I was pleased to find many at the price range of interest to me. It turns out, however, that there are plenty of hidden costs that you have to incur when buying a digital camera that nearly double its price.

What are these costs?

First of all, for $150 the best camera you can buy is essentially the lower quality models. This means that you are buying either much older technology or a camera with such horrible specs that you might as well invest your money in acquiring photographic memory instead of this cheap pile of no name electronics. As a result, I had to set my sight to the next set of cameras that were at least $50 more expensive. The camera that I bought was actually on sale of $199.

Second, most of these cheaper or mid-price cameras don’t have any build in memory or if they do, it is hopelessly too low to hold any data, i.e., photos. In other words, you not only have to buy a camera but you also have to pay extra for a memory card with a capacity of anywhere between 512MB and 2GB. Depending on the size be prepared to pay $25 or more. I purchased a 512MB SD memory card for $27.

Third, you have to pay extra for batteries. Sure, the camera comes with a couple of AA batteries in the box but guess what. These are only good for 10-15 minutes or in other words, by the time you take a few photos and upload them to your computer, you will need new batteries. So, be prepared to pay another $20 or more for rechargeable batteries and, of course, a charger. The AC adapter for this low-range devices is an optional accessory so in other words, it’s not in the box!

To add salt to insult, the cheaper digital cameras don’t even come with a carrying case. You have to pay extra for that too. I paid an additional $10 for the cheapest carrying case in the store.

At the end of the day, I had to spent $290 for my new digital camera; the final price includes sales tax. This is almost double the $150 that I set out to pay this morning. I went to several stores and all were selling the same cameras at the same prices so it was not just me overpaying at a specific store; I did do my homework. Thankfully, the Nikon came with an automatic 2 years warranty so I did not have to pay extra for that.

I am happy with my new camera but I am a bit disappointed about the hidden costs associated with its purchase. I hope that after reading this post, you will know what to expect when you make the decision to buy a digital camera for yourself.

By: Peter Brown

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Imagine this…

It’s late at night and you are sleeping comfortably at home. You are suddenly awakened by a loud “pounding” noise at your front door. Before you know it, the front door comes crashing down and three tall men in black ski masks are rushing into your home.

Pretty scary right?

If you had installed hidden surveillance cameras on your property, you might have had time to call the cops and prepare to defend yourself and loved ones.

Hidden Surveillance cameras can be installed almost anywhere on or around your house or apartment. What’s more, recent advancements in technology have reduced the size of many hidden surveillance cameras to the size of a half dollar!

So which type of hidden surveillance camera is best for you, and what qualities should you look for?

Consider these three convenient tips:

1. Do you have Internet access at home? If so, then you can easily watch live video feed in the comfort of your bedroom or living room. Hidden surveillance cameras with remote feeds are especially useful for self-protection because of their ability to do just that.

2. Will your hidden surveillance camera be placed outside with the rain, snow and bright sunshine? You should make sure that it is protected from being damaged by weather conditions if being used outdoors.

3. Rather watch the video feed on your television? No problem! Most hidden surveillance cameras allow you to watch whatever is going on in your backyard, front yard, or front door right from your TV.

Hidden surveillance cameras can potentially save your life in the event of a home robbery.

Remember that the three tips above apply to your business also if that is what you want to protect.

By: Santiago Gutierrez

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One of the most useful and ingenious ways of using a hidden, wireless camera is to put them into sunglasses. Tom Cruise and his pair of eyeglasses in Mission Impossible have gone down in the annals of surveillance history. Spy camera glasses have the camera embedded somewhere within them, for example in the nosepiece, and capture images as the wearer of the glasses sees them.

Spy eyewear, or spy camera glasses, make it possible to carry on operations without the knowledge of others. It is not only the sunglass that can function as a hidden camera. There are very unobtrusive hidden cameras that look like a normal case for your eyeglasses. They are plug-and-play ready and very portable.

Spyglasses would naturally be wireless and hidden. The same considerations that apply to regular spy cameras, such as resolution, battery life, etc., will also apply here.

The video signals are usually sent to a recorder or transmitter that is worn by the wearer of the glasses; this latest technology would require a transmitter placed not more than 18” away from the camera. This is possible if it is worn on a belt or placed in a pocket. In case of a transmitter being connected, any equipment within the range of this transmitter can be fitted with a receiver and you can capture the full footage on to your VCR, TV, or computer. Recorders will be limited by the memory they have.

Spyglasses are the tools that drive investigative journalism, crime investigation, and espionage. The cost of spyglasses can be quite high. This, coupled with their possible useful applications, makes them more professional equipment rather than home equipment.

By: Thomas Morva

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Just in case there is any confusion, Diversion Safes are sometimes called Hidden Safes, Can Safes, Decoy Safes and even Fake Safes.

Yes, Diversion Safes have many names but they all have the same purpose — to hide your valuables in plain sight from burglars, visitors or any other light-fingered person that might come into your house.

Unfortunately, burglaries are on the rise and too many people have had their homes broken into and their valuables stolen.

Research says a burglar spends 8-10 minutes on the average in a victim’s house so a burglar knows the best hiding places in a house to look for loot and he goes to the ‘normal’ places that it would be hidden.  A mattress or a loose brick in the wall or your sock drawer still are some favorite choices to hide valuables.

Well, you may say, what if I get a small home safe for all my valuables and bolt it to the floor?

First of all, have you priced a conventional safe lately?

Secondly, if you have all of your valuables in one place, and a thief gets into the safe, then there go all your treasures together.

In addition, a small home safe can cost over $100 or more and is heavy and cumbersome.  And burglars love real home safes.  Also, many models can easily be removed from your house.  Believe me, a determined burglar will stop at nothing once he has found a safe in your home.

How about an inexpensive alternative to a real safe?  It’s called a Diversion Safe.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Diversion Safes, let me tell you about these amazing gadgets.

Diversion Safes are unique home-security products that are designed to appear like a common household product, such as soda cans, hair spray, even paint cans.

Diversion Safes are some of the neatest gadgets ever made because they look exactly like the real McCoy.  They are real items that are hollowed out, weighted, and look and feel like the real product — they even have bar codes.

Most Diversion Safes cost less than $30 and there are over 45 different choices on the market.

A Diversion Safe will do even a better job of hiding your valuables than a real safe because the burglar would never suspect that an Ajax Cleanser Can Safe would have a lot of cash in it!

Diversion Safes are portable and need no batteries or electrical outlets so they are great to take on vacation or trips.

These everyday items blend in with your other household products and decor and don’t attract attention.  That’s why it’s so important that Diversion Safes be placed in the proper room of your home so they don’t look out of place with their surroundings.

Why?

Where would a person hide a coin — in a piggy bank where it blends in.  It’s the same with Diversion Safes — blend them in with their surroundings.

For example, make sure you have your Fruit Cocktail Diversion Safe in the pantry along with your other food cans just as you would keep your Gallon Paint Can Diversion Safe in the garage with the rest of your painting supplies.

Don’t help the burglar find your treasures!  Hide your money and other valuables in Diversion Safes and place the safes throughout your house to blend in so that the bad guy will never suspect what they hold.

No home should be without Diversion Safes.

Don’t Be the Next Victim!

For more Diversion Safe information on how you can inexpensively protect your valuables in your home by leaving them in plain sight, please visit:  http://www.feelsafeandsecure.com/diversion_safes.html  so you won’t become a crime statistic.

By: Larry Zolna

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Ladies, have you ever felt naughty eyes on you at the store’s dressing room? You are probably right. There is someone watching, so better get out.

Thought you were safe from prying eyes?

Each time you shop for a new outfit you always have to check it out in the fitting room. Enclosed in a little space with a mirror, you think you are alone, so you strip and slip on the jeans or dress and strip again to put your clothes back on.

Your intuition must be right to tell that you’re on video. Surveillance security camera systems can be used for mischief too and all ladies must beware. Peeping Toms have gone a level higher in their favorite past time. They have tapped the features of a video surveillance security camera and can enjoy viewing the fitting room scenes in the privacy of their home.

Incredible but sadly true

Hidden cameras are a bane and boon to society. It is an emerging menace when the cameras are turned on unsuspecting women who are thinking they are safe in their homes or in public dressing rooms. Unscrupulous persons can make hidden cameras and use remote controls to activate these.

The use of video surveillance security cameras to invade one’s privacy is act of terrorism and is against the law. Yet, people misuse these gizmos with impunity. Peeping toms are not the only ones abusing these security systems. Employers can also bully their staff by keeping an overzealous eye on them.

Unless they are caught spying on women in the privacy of dressing rooms, nothing can be done against the culprits. The law, though, has caught up with voyeurs of the Caesar’s Atlantic City of New Jersey. The gaming palace was fined $80,000 by the Casino Control Commission because of unscrupulous use of video surveillance security cameras.

Spying on the spy

Violators of the laws governing the use of video surveillance security camera equipment face one to five years in prison and penalties, so if you have caught a peeping tom in a public place or even in your neighborhood, you can sue. A tape of the recording must be presented as evidence.

Women must be informed of the ugly side of video surveillance security camera systems meant to protect them. One way to protect yourself from malicious eyes is to have a wireless video camera hunter. This can easily track hidden wireless cameras. When it detects a live wireless video, a signal is displayed immediately on the built-in 2.5” color video screen. The alert tone will sound when it has espied a hidden camera. In this case, it indeed takes a spy to catch a spy.

Informed and alert

Moms should caution their teens about fitting rooms, school washrooms, and public comfort rooms. Ladies should never strip without any cover. Children in day school should also get protection from the improper use of video surveillance security camera systems. Indeed, kids should be taught how to protect themselves and to report suspicious activities. It is always an advantage to be informed and well armed.

By: Nahshon Roberts

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Lately you may be concerned with the increase in crime rate and the number of burglaries in your neighborhood. You’ve already given your entire family Personal Alarms as well as Pepper Spray for the older kids and spouse to keep the bad guys away.

But what about your house?

How about getting a large dog, maybe the size of a German Shepherd. No one wants to be attacked and bitten by a dog of any size, let alone one who can tear your arm off.

“But I don’t have a dog and I don’t want one” you say. “Besides, it’s too much trouble keeping one, especially since I frequently travel and am not at home. And, even more important, I have a family and don’t want them exposed to a vicious dog that could bite any one of my kids.”

Well then, how about a dog that doesn’t shed, doesn’t need feeding, doesn’t need to be taken for a walk and can’t bite anyone in your family but still barks loudly enough to keep most burglars away. And you can’t be sued about anyone being bitten.

Who in his right mind would approach a house with a large, barking dog just waiting for them to break in?

Most burglars will avoid any house with a barking dog because the last thing they want is any attention while they’re doing their dirty deeds.

So, if you have a dog that barks at noises or strangers in your home you have a good chance that the burglar will go somewhere else and leave you alone.

Guess what — this ‘dog’ is actually an electronic motion detector!

This amazing Dog Motion Detector will be on guard 24/7, will detect motion over 15 feet and has a volume control which makes it easier if you are at home. The Dog Motion Detector comes already assembled, needs no installation and is easy to use — no learning curve is necessary. The Dog Bark Motion Detector plugs into any standard electrical outlet.

The ‘dog’ sounds just like the German Shepherd that you were afraid to have in your house. And, the barking sound from your Dog Motion Detector increases as the prowler gets nearer to the door.

Also, while you’re at home the Dog Motion Detector gives you a choice of sounds when any visitors are coming. You can set it on the bark mode or a relaxing melody of tranquil sounds of nature (waterfall sounds as well as frogs and bird sounds).

Since your Dog Motion Detector is portable, you can use it in motel roooms, vacation homes, even garages or sheds where you keep any valuable tools or cars. Just think outside the box and you will find many other uses for this amazing Dog Motion Detector so you won’t become a crime statistic.

Don’t Be the Next Victim!

By: Larry Zolna

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Small and large business owners alike have a responsibility to themselves and their employees to maintain a safe workplace. In order to ensure efficiency and profitability while encouraging workers to feel protected and at ease on the job, businesses have long utilized plainly-visible security cameras to capture video and still-image, providing a dated, easily discernible “what’s goin’ on” of their offices and storefront. Cameras possess a dual purpose as many of today’s employers are looking further than sales in efforts to achieve profit. A large percentage of firms are finding it necessary to amp up efforts in loss prevention in order to protect their elusive bottom line. It’s not that employers are becoming more distrustful or desire to spy on their employees, it is only that research has shown that workplace thefts are on the increase, and protecting company property is not devious or spiteful, but smart.

Hidden cameras are a relatively new phenomena in the workplace due to the rise in employee thefts, so legal issues concerning these hidden camera installations are very few and vague at best. Laws that are in place involve “invasion of privacy” and extend to areas where employees and patrons have an expectation of being alone and unobserved. Areas such as locker rooms, restrooms, and changing areas, fall into the category of “expected privacy”. In cases where a workers’ union is involved, it is always best to talk things over with local union representatives, assuring them that privacy will not be violated. Hidden surveillance is a necessary evil to protect against employee offense and extremely important in order to keep the workplace safe and profitable. Employers are advised to retain an attorney to counsel them on the laws that are present in their state before moving ahead with the installation process. In most cases, employers are protected under law as long as local law enforcement guidelines are adhered to, but it is better to be safe than sorry, as always.

While cameras that are mounted within plain view do much to deter illegal or lascivious activities of employees or clients, hidden cameras are able to capture how individuals behave when they are not aware they are being observed. Security firm outfitters like Security-Cams.com are allowing employers to take the safety and profitability of their workplace into their own hands, offering a multitude of security cameras and accessories to keep every workplace secure in more ways than one.

By: Mike Josh Ward


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