Last year we reviewed the Ultra Vision Goggles from spy toy
range SpyNet. We were so impressed with the use of actual gadgetry and
technology that we've since kept an eye out for other new products from them.
This time we're entering the realm of stealth and subterfuge with two bits of
tech, the bone-conduction Walkie Talkies and the Laser Trip Wire. You're
mission, should you choose to accept it...
Walkie Talkie
Headsets
This two-part set includes a wearable walkie talkie for you
and another special agent. With a range of 250 feet these can stay in contact
with each other over pretty much any play scenario and feature a unique way of
transmitting sound. Instead of the typical audio reproduction, these headsets
use bone conduction to amplify sound. That means that you can only clearly hear
what is being said by your partner by being in physical contact with the
headset. So no double agents will be able to overhear.
In practice our younger reviewers found them comfortable to
wear and were glad to find that the headset hard straps were adjustable. There
was never any issue of going out of range and we even found they worked well when
the limits of the 250 feet were pushed (we looked pretty odd to our neighbours
as we ran up and down the street). The bone conduction audio works incredibly
well, and once you're use to it (it feels a bit like having a radio in your brain)
these are excellent walkie talkies for both play and for just staying in touch.
£39.99
Laser Trip Wire
For the spy concerned about enemy agents infiltrating their
safe house, there's this fancy-pants toy. Essentially a laser dot projector and
receiver, this allows you to set up an intricate beam of light (helped by the inclusion
of two mirrored units) to act as a digital trip wire. If something (or someone)
interrupts the beam of light, an ear-splitting shriek emits, alerting you to the
enemy's presence.
Setting this thing up is tonnes of fun, especially due to
the mirrors which allow you to bend the beam around corners and even up walls
and stairs. The strength of the projected laser is good for about 30 metres,
which should be fine for most houses. We tried ours out in the garden at night
and managed to completely surround the garage with the laser trip wire. Once
activated the alarm was fairly startling and we could imagine mums and dads growing
quickly tired of it. Still, for a toy this is a remarkable thing, and not far
away from the real thing.
£24.99
Visit www.spynethq.com