Best Spy Camera Winner from Thanko? No One. It's a Tie.

Thanko has moved in a slightly different direction with its latest USB Spy Camera Tie but it's still fun. The Maxwell Smart era spy camera hides in plain sight behind a specially designed Necktie with a hidden compartment. This zippered pocket mounts the camera about chest high behind a tiny pinhole cut out for the lens. The camera can record 352x288 AVI videos onto its 4GB of internal memory. There's a handy on/off switch to save battery power when not in use right next to its USB plug which is used for both charging the internal lithium battery and for extracting videos. There is a power LED indicator but its hidden in the back of the Tie. The internal memory can store about 4 hours of video but seems to only be able shoot for about 1 hour continuously per charge. Recharge time is listed at only 2 hours though.

The real jewel of this setup is the unobtrusive keychain remote. Being able to start and stop the recording with a single button press should make for much better editing. Once you're back at your secret lair you will have less time editing out yourself working on spreadsheets and can skip right to the part where your boss asks you to do something lewd and incriminating. In my experience there's very little worth recording that requires a coat and tie to view but to each his own. Also, it's not as if you can sneak a 4 lb. dressy tie onto someone without them noticing. It could still be fun, i guess. Either way it only costs $130 and may be awhile before it hits the states. But seriously, who could put a price on starting your own Fight Club from capturing damning corporate misdeeds on film?