Author Archive
The first, and most important, question you have to ask is “How am I going to use this?” Is it for use as a “Nanny Cam” to make sure your children are being taken care of properly? Are you trying to stop employee theft? Are you experiencing repeated vandalism? A hidden camera should only be used to document suspected unlawful or dangerous activity when there is no other way to catch the culprit.
A big problem with hidden cameras is that too often they are used for less than ethical reasons. Just recently a news story came across my desk about a landlord of an apartment building that had wired four apartments with hidden cameras. He placed them in the bathrooms and bedrooms of the tenants. Thankfully the cameras were accidentally discovered and the landlord was arrested and is in jail. I am sure that is not an isolated instance.
Don’t let yourself become a victim to that type of thing. If you are moving into a new apartment it might be worthwhile to buy what is called a “Bug Detector”. This device can discover if there are any hidden cameras or microphones in your apartment. These neat little gadgets pick up the signal or RF being transmitted by a unit and you can locate it right away. You already know how to use one because you’ve probably seen them used often in movies and on TV. Turn it on and walk all over your apartment. The bug detector will let you know if it picks something up.
As you are “sweeping” your new place you have to be thorough. Really thorough! The latest spy cameras are very, very small and can be place inside almost any everyday object you would find in a home. When you do find something resist the temptation to move it or confront your landlord. Go out of your apartment and call the police. Don’t call from your place because the landlord might be watching or listening in and be able to destroy any evidence before the police arrive.
If you do want a hidden camera for a good reason, there are many types to choose from. Most hidden cameras are built into everyday items you find around a home such as clocks, radios, thermostats, smoke detectors, lamps, etc. You name it and it could contain a hidden camera.
Just make sure you choose an item that “fits in” to your life style so that it does not raise suspicions. If you buy a Tiffany lamp with a spy camera, and all of your other furniture is Modern, you might raise a few eyebrows. Make sure what you get looks like it belongs there.
In addition to taking the decor into consideration you have to decide what type of hidden camera you want. There are basically 3 types:1/ Wireless, 2/ Wired, and 3/ Self contained.
With the wireless hidden camera you will have the item that contains the camera and a transmitter. This transmitter sends the video signal wirelessly to a receiver. The receiver is then attached to a recording device or a monitor or TV for viewing.
The wired hidden camera will have an A/V cord coming out of the unit that will get plugged in directly to a recording device or TV or monitor.
You want an “All-In-One unit? They are readily available. These little guys consist of a small camera AND a recording unit. They record right onto an SD card! It does not get any easier than this. You take the SD card from the unit, plop it into your computer and you can instantly see what the camera has recorded.
There are many options available when purchasing a hidden camera: black & white or color, low light capability, motion sensing, date & time stamp, etc. You will be able to find the camera that fits your needs and your budget.
The bottom line is that no matter what style or type of hidden camera you purchase, make sure you are purchasing it for a legitimate, ethical reason and use it properly.
To see the wide selection of Covert Hidden Cameras visit Jim Wilkinson’s website, www.YourGreatestProtection.com. To find out more about the benefits of Hidden Cameras.
How many times have you woken from a sound sleep in the middle of the night and not known what woke you? Did a sudden noise wake you? You are not really sure because it is quiet now as you are laying there. But then, all of a sudden, you hear somebody walking around in your living room!
We have all run this scenario through our heads. First we call the police and then we have to get our gun out of our gun safe. A lot of us keep our gun safe on a high shelf in a bedroom closet. We go to the closet, frantically, but as quiet as possible, and get our gun safe down from the shelf. I don’t know about you but in stressful situations I have difficulty remembering a combination or trying to find a key.
With today’s technology about biometrics this job just became a lot easier. As before, our first action is calling 911. Getting to our gun safe and opening it though has become much easier. Because it is so secure, we can keep our biometric gun safe under our bed. Simply slide it out, place your finger on the scanning pad and watch your gun safe pop open instantly. Now you have your gun in your hand in a matter of seconds.
This biometric technology is now being used in our everyday lives. It provides greater security for our guns and valuables. We have all seen instances on our favorite TV shows where biometric technology is being used today. It can control access to rooms, it can secure bank deposit boxes. It might look like something out of the future but retinal scanners are becoming more and more commonplace as a means to secure access to a building or an individual room.
The same thing is true with our biometric gun safe. The unit reads and stores the fingerprint pattern on our thumb or whichever finger we choose and when we want to open the biometric gun safe we simply place our designated finger on the scanner pad. The unit sees that that fingerprint pattern is one that you instructed it to allow access to the safe.
It was not that long ago that the technology of biometrics was only available to certain groups. Today the technology is being used more and more by the entire population.
We are fortunate that one of the first uses of this technology for the general public is on gun safes. We do not have to worry about our children finding some way to get into our old style safe. You know they almost always succeed with very unhappy consequences. We have seen the results in the news too often.
Do yourself a favor and consider replacing your old gun safe with a new biometric gun safe. You will not have to worry about somebody finding your key or figuring out the combination. The only people that will have access to it are the ones you designate.
Being able to get to your gun quickly is very important. More important perhaps is making sure that your children cannot open it.
You will be glad you did.
Looking to find the best deal on a Biometric Safe, then visit www.YourGreatestProtection.com to find the best advice on Biometric Safes for you.
Peaceful days. Starry romantic nights. Palm tree lined sandy beaches. This has to be paradise!
It might be the smallest U.S. Virgin Island at only 491 acres but you cannot beat Water Island for a “Robinson Crusoe” feeling. It is the smallest main island of the U.S. Virgin Islands and sits off the coast of St. Thomas. Inhabited by about 100 full time residents you do not have to worry about rush hour traffic. Or any crowds for that matter.
A traffic jam consists of two or three golf carts being on the road at the same time. The roads are not in great shape and are only about 12 feet wide. That is why golf carts are the main mode of transportation.
Honeymoon Beach is the main attraction for both the handful of full time residents and visitors. The 1/4 mile white stretch of sand is perfect for laying in the sun, snorkeling or just floating in the crystal clear blue water. It is not uncommon to arrive at the beach and be the only ones there. Sitting on the beach and watching the fish jump and the Pelicans dive help relieve any stress you might have brought with you.
If you are looking for a place to stay on Water Island some of the homeowners rent their homes out when they are off island. Colorful Bananaquit birds, or also known locally as “Sugar Birds”, Iguamas and gorgeous Hibiscus and Bouganvilla complete the tropical setting.You can quickly see why first time visitors fall in love with the island and return every year.
Although the only commercial establishments on Water Island are a lunch wagon that serves lunch at Honeymoon Beach every day and dinner on Saturday nights, a small beach bar with tropical concoctions and a small restaurant that is open occasionally, no one seems to mind. All supplies must be brought over from nearby St. Thomas.
You can get to the island by either private boat or the regularly scheduled small ferry. If you have to bring a vehicle to the island or building supplies there is a barge service available.
There is a limited number of houses on Water Island and when one comes up for sale it usually sells very quickly. There are some building lots available and there has been some new construction over the last several years.
Maintenance and clean-ups of Honeymoon Beach are performed by members of the Water Island Civic Association (WICA) and volunteer residents. Some roadside cutting and a little road repair is performed by the Virgin Islands’ government.
Water Island was used by the U.S. Government in the 1940s when they partially constructed an underground fort, Fort Segarra, as part of the U.S. defenses during WWII. The site sits abandoned today but many visitors climb the steps of the lookout post to enjoy the panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
Control of Water Island was transferred from the federal government to the territorial government on December 12, 1996, making Water Island the “Last Virgin”. In the late 1990’s the Department of the Interior began transferring Water Island land to the long-time residential leaseholders.
When you purchase a stun gun it is important to understand the mechanics and the principles behind the operation of a stun gun. This will help you manage the personal protection device and use it most effectively for self defense.
We all know that our brains tell the rest of our body what to do. Such as when you see a dollar bill on the ground, the brain tells the body “OK, bend over at the waist, extend your arm and pick that money up”. Well, when a low amperage jolt from a stun gun is applied to the body the signals from the brain get all messed up. The electrical pulses or neurotransmitters have a hard time making it to those portions of the body we are trying to control and renders the electrical pulses useless. If a stun gun was applied just as you started reaching for the money on the ground more than likely you would topple to the ground and the body would forget what it was trying to do.
What happens when stun guns are used is that the body is temporarily paralyzed because the signals to the brain are being disrupted. The brain is confused and shuts down for a moment. When a stun gun works it tells the body to shut down for a short period of time. This takes the energy from the body by depleting the blood sugar in the body.
A stun gun can penetrate the thickest clothing an attacker is wearing. A stun guns’ voltage can range anywhere from 100,000 volts up to about 3 million volts! It is what happens inside the stun gun that makes this an effective non-lethal self defense weapon. There are transformers inside a stun gun that increases the voltage supplied by usually a 9 volt battery or a rechargeable battery and at the same time reduces the amperage. A capacitor builds up energy and sends it to the two electrodes that are applied to the attacker. An oscillator creates a pulsing effect of the voltage and amperage. Because there is such a small amperage applied, usually about 3 milliamps, there is no permanent damage to the attacker.
The great thing about stun guns is that when the current is unable to flow across the double electrodes in the top, the current will go to the two test electrodes. They are close together which allow the flow of energy to leap between each of them. As the current moves it ionizes the air particles and results in a spark that is visible. You can also hear a crackling noise that is very intimidating. The purpose of this is so attackers can see that you have a stun gun. Usually the visible sign of the electrodes sparking and the sound of the crackling is enough of a deterrent for personal protection. Most attackers will go away.
We have seen how a little 9 volt battery can incapacitate an attacker. It simply disrupts the electrical signals from the brain. This is all accomplished by introducing an electric charge with about 3 milliamps behind it. There are small stun guns, big stun guns, disguised stun guns, all shapes and sizes but they all do the same thing. Give you a chance to escape.
Keep in mind that when stun guns are used, the electrodes have to be touching the assailant. They are very effective in disabling a person and temporarily paralyzing them. You cannot kill someone when you use a stun gun on them. Also, the voltage going into the attackers body will not pass back to you even if you are touching the attacker.
Try to avoid yelling “Surprise!” when you use your Cell Phone Stun Gun. These little babies pack a punch by delivering high voltage to an attacker. They are one of the top self defense weapons you can buy.
Stun guns were designed to provide personal protection. They are non lethal and they provide self defense for people who may be facing a possible attacker. They are not harmful in any way and cannot kill someone.
One of the things that happens most often when someone buys a stun gun is that they then put it at the bottom of their briefcase or purse. You can picture what happens when that person is suddenly confronted by an attacker. The assailant is not going to stand around waiting for you to rummage through your briefcase looking for your stun gun. He will know you are trying to get to something that will hurt him and he is going to react. You do not want to be that person that had a stun gun buried in your briefcase but was still attacked because you couldn’t get to it.
If you were walking down the street with your cell phone stun gun in your hand or attached to a clip on your belt, nobody would take notice. That is a great thing about Cell Phone Stun Guns. You can keep them in plain site because they look like an everyday cell phone and nobody cares. You have it at your fingertips at all times and can use it to put your attacker on the ground by shooting over 900,000 volts into them. As they are writhing on the ground you can then make your escape and go for help.
How many times have you heard it said that surprise is the key to any combat? That is the main reason a cell phone stun gun is so effective. Your attacker will have no idea what so ever that what you are holding in your hand is not a regular cell phone but actually a very effective self defense product. By being able to have it close by all the time and within reach you will be able to grab your cell phone stun gun, press a button, deliver a shock to your assailant and incapacitate him. The key is to always keep it handy. Clip it onto your belt, your sun visor in your car or your purse.
Remember to press and hold! In order to be effective you must be pressing the stun gun against the attacker’s body. You must hold the button long enough to deliver a strong enough charge to disable your assailant. Also, keep in mind that different people react differently to being stunned. Sometimes if a person is using hard drugs and heavy narcotics the effect of the stun gun could be diminished. The majority of the time though there is enough voltage being applied with your cell phone stun gun that your attacker will back away and leave you alone.
When you use stun guns for self defense an attacker usually knows exactly what one looks like. The appearance may scare off the criminal but if it doesn’t he or she may try to get it from you and use it on you. When you use a stun gun that looks like a cell phone or any other device, then this surprises the criminal and allows you to use it more quickly and effectively.
There are many benefits of hidden cameras you might consider if you are having trouble with things going missing, suspect a poor babysitter, someone tampering with your car, and other things. The benefits include catching the criminals, wireless capabilities, hidden, and much more.
Covert cameras are great because they blend into the environment and are almost invisible. Nobody thinks a camera could be hidden inside some of the items used to house a camera and recorder. Whenever a camera is visible people tend to behave a lot differently. When the camera is hidden they often act in ways you would not expect. It is just like our children, when they are on their own at the house do you think they act the same as when you are there? We would like to think they do but you cannot be sure.
When you use hidden cameras they are also wireless. This allows for you to put them anywhere you want to and they will still pick up the video and send it back through the receiver and to the screen. The wireless capabilities allow you to place the camera at a specific distance away and it will still work. This means that you will not have any visible wires which will lead to suspicion from people.
Older model hidden cameras were power hogs. You had to rigorously keep putting new batteries in them. Either that or connect a power cord to the camera which would increase the odds of the hidden camera being discovered. The new covert cameras have batteries that can last up to one full year! The camera is either motion activated or sound activated. That means if motion or sound are detected the camera turns on and starts recording. If no motion or sound are detected it goes into a sleep mode to conserve energy.
There are so many different types of hidden cameras to choose from. You can use them to spy on the kids, coworkers you think are going through your things in the office, and other reasons. You can find spy cameras that look like a pack of cigarettes, a book to place on a shelf, a clock, and much more. You can even put a spy cam in a hat and wear it to work or throughout the house. These hidden cameras can be placed out in the open and there is no suspicion that they are recording video because they blend in with the atmosphere.
Don’t wait until a lot of things are turning up missing in your house to get a hidden camera. The benefits of using one will be endless. Get a hidden camera and place it out in the open and you will be surprised to see what takes place when you are not in the room or at home. They now blend in so well nobody will ever suspect they are being recorded.
You can choose from many different types and finally find out what really is going on.
If you have already bought a TASER C2 you probably are aware how easy it is to use. You probably took the time to read the owner manual and watch the training DVD that comes with each TASER C2. By doing this you became familiar with the most effective way to use the TASER C2. If you have just purchased your TASER C2 make sure you take the time and go through the training DVD and owner manual as soon as it arrives.
The TASER C2 model uses a Lithium battery cartridge that should provide enough power for about 50 firings. When you load the battery cartridge in the TASER make sure the magazine cartridge is not inside of the TASER. Load the battery cartridge into the TASER C2 and then reinsert the magazine cartridge. When the battery cartridge is in the TASER and has sufficient power, you will see a green light, which will notify you it, is working.
The next thing you need to do is load your air cartridges. Make sure the safety switch cover is closed and that the TASER is pointing in a safe direction. Remove the cartridge cover at the front of the C2 and insert the cartridge until you hear it click. That indicates it is locked in place. Just to make sure, gently pull on the sides of the cartridge. There is not an “up” or “down” on the air cartridges so you don’t have to worry about putting the cartridge in wrong. This is also a nice feature for when you are under any stress so you can reload quickly if needed. Each cartridge carries the probes, wire, and compressed air. Do not try to open these cartridges.
Actually using the TASER C2 is very easy. Hold it just like you would a gun. Make sure you hold it vertically and not sideways or some other fancy way. Push back the safety cover until the firing button is exposed and you are ready. All of the C2 models, except one, have a built in laser sighting device. This red light will show up on an attacker when you point the C2 at them. Remember, the red light on the attacker shows you where the top probe will land. Aiming for the trunk area of the body is your best bet. Don’t forget also that the range of your TASER C2 is 15 feet. You have to be closer then 15 feet to your attacker in order for the probes to reach him.
The spread of the two probes varies with the distance you are away from an attacker. For the best results try to be about 7 to 10 feet away from him. At this distance your probe spread will be about 16 inches which is what we want. This will produce maximum effectiveness. Try to make sure you get more then a 4 inch spread of the probes.
Practice, practice, practice. Targets are available so that you can practice using the device. Never practice on someone as the TASER shoots two small barbs that will penetrate clothing and skin and deliver the volts and wattage to the body. Practice in an empty room and make sure no one can come in unexpectedly.
There is also a stun capability backup on the TASER C2 called the Drive Stun Back Up. This means that if you just happen to run out of cartridges and you still need to disable an attacker you can approach the person and use the stun gun functionality. The TASER C2 has two stun gun electrodes that will allow you to depress the volts into the attacker’s neck or other exposed body part and then make your escape.
When you have shot your TASER C2 and made contact with your assailant, don’t stand around watching them squirm and drool. Get out of there. Shoot the TASER C2, watch your attacker go down and then get out of there. Don’t worry about getting your TASER C2 back. TASER International, the manufacturer, will gladly replace your C2 as long as you send them a copy of the police report about the attack.
