SecuritySystems.com Website Review

What are the current and latest trends for spy pen reviews for may 2012?  The securitysystems.com review remains as the top choice for professionals in the market for a pen camera.  Not only is the customer service incredible, the device itself is still unmatched in terms of quality control.  Head over to the spy pen product page to see a full review of the securitysystems.com website and model.

No new models are out for May this year, however given the HD recording abilities, the only upgrade we will see is 1080p but that is still some months away.  In fact there is some debate on the value of increasing the resolution that much given most people do not use or own a blu ray burner and the size of the data increase would require more disk space on most computers.

As noted in previous posts, most spy pens coming to market are distributed by Chinese resellers unloading their products in bulk for profit with no concern for building a consumer base or establishing repore with future purchasers.  A high quality spy pen must be reliable  in its function or its use becomes virtually obsolete.  If you imagine setting up a carefully constructed shot and having the device fail right at the crucial moment of incident, you will come to appreciate the value of technology.

Repair for a spy pen camera is often of no use as the devices are too small to successfully take apart and re-manage.  Rather, for the best covert devices ensure that they are of high quality in the first place so such issues as reliability to not arise.  Hidden camera systems of ever getting smaller, and looking ahead for the month of May we see no major changes there then an update to possible software on both Mac and Windows.

Thanks for visiting spypenhq.com, stay tuned for more.

Spy pen update for april 2012.  So, what are the latest developments for pen cameras in the month of april?  These hidden devices offer a slew of features including HD recording at 720p resolutions with some at 960 lines of resolution.  Frame rates for april remain the same at 24 to 30 frames per second at the higher levels of resolution.

Latest memory upgrades have remained consistant at 32 gb sd cards, however expect to see 64 and 128 gb spy pens in the not too distant future.  Sony is still making a CMOS sensor which is being used in China for the manufacturer of these devices.  It has been discussed before in the spy pen community if their is any forthcoming legislation that will affect the use of these covert devices and it seems no major changes are on the way.

Some of the major pen camera sellers such as zetronix and security systems continue to offer products at a variety of prices with different stats.  Brickhouse spy pens have fallen in ranking as of late due to poor customer satisfaction when it comes to programming the pens for video replay.

Private investigators and law enforcement continue tobe major purchasers of spy pen cameras for the month of april, across not only the U.S, but Canada, U.K and other international destinations.

If you need to obtain covert hidden video of someone, look no further than at the latest pencam on the market today, many new products are proliferating the industry, however the top devices remain the same.

Reliability is key when obtaining hidden covert footage of people.  Workplace theft is a great reason to use a spy cam pen in the industry as you can conduct surveillance on your property and monitor the activities of individuals to ensure no unscrupulous activity.

When operating a device of the spypen variety, be sure that it has a warranty, the reasons being that trying to fix one of these devices is an act of frustration and often fruitless endeavour.  The components are so tiny that t is highly unlikely one would be able to make any repairs without causing.  All in all, in the world of hidden camera technology, april looks good for spy pens.

-spypenhq

What are the latest and greatest developments surrounding spy pen cameras for the month of March, 2012?  Well, for both Canada, USA, Europe, Australia and the rest of the world, the answer is:  not much.  The best reviewed pen cameras still offer 720P resolution with variable expandable memory including 2GB, 8GB and the most popular 32GB options.  These devices are powered via a battery or external source depending on the make and model.  Some plug directly into the wall via a USB outlet, this is also used to transfer data from the spy pen to your PC or Mac computer.  Speaking of which, the best spy pen models are compatible with the major operating systems (windows and Mac osX).  Most professional offices these days use both systems, not to mention the prevalence of apple related portable device.  So do to the fragmentation of the market in terms of operating systems, it is impotent to purchase a spy pen that has dual compatibility.

As stated in previous articles, major components of the spy pen include the lens, wich is usually a fish-eye.  This allows for a wider viewing angle of the subject you wish to covertly capture on film.  In addition, memory is the next major component, the higher, the better, and added to this; expandable memory is better than permanent internal as it provides you with a significantly larger number of options.  The sensor on the pen cam is also of importance.  Sensors with a low lux level fair far better in dim lighting conditions and this is an ideal feature for a hidden spy camera as one can imagine,  A motion activated spypen is an equally useful device if you wish to establish a permanent surveillance solution.  These can be placed in your home or at work, just remember that from a legal perspective, no device can be placed in an area that has a reasonable expectation of privacy such as an employee change room or a bathroom.   Software is also key for the best spy pens, what we mean by this is transferring data is a quick and seamless process.  Video editing of the footage can be done via a variety of 3rd party software already on the market.  Currently, the larget user of hidden spy cams are security, law enforcement, and private investigators, HOWEVER and very large and growing every-day citizen body is beginning to utilize these devices for their own purposes.  Also important is to ensure that there is no flashing light on any of these devices.  If there is, then you will risk being observed when it is your prerogative to go undetected.    For this month, spy pens market value remains roughly the same, with the top end models coming in at well over $250 each and the typical cheap Chinese knockoff remaining on the bottom end of the spectrum with low quality specs for around $25.  Cheating spousal requirements continue to go up, and, interestingly, married women are now becoming a larger portion of the market as they wish to spy on their husbands and ensure they are being faithful to their wedding vows.    Lastly, if you require more information on spy pens, be sure to check out the largest and best website on the matter:  www.spypenhq.com.

If you have been watching the news lately you may have seen a few videos of covert operations that were recorded with the use of a spy pen camera.  Various stations last week aired program within a variety of categories detailing a number of incidences.  One of which included a sting operation uncovering an auto repair shop fraud ring which was quoting clients different prices than what they finally charged, by as much as 500%.  The investigator who entered the shop with a hidden spy pen worn in his shirt pocket recorded the head mechanic go through a list of prices for what the repair would cost after the initial diagonosis was completed.  Unknown to the mechanic, the investigator videotaped the entire event, capturing numerous specific dollar figures via the pencam.  However, upon returning to the auto shop, again with a spy pen hidden in the shirt pocket, the investigator recorded the head mechanic give  drastically different numbers.  Upon revelaing the whole incident was recorded, the shop claimed their was a footnote in their contract that clearly stated prices subject to change upon completion.  The investigator is currently taking this matter up with the Better Buisnes Bureau and providing them with the footage obtained by the pen camera.

Also in the news was the use of a spy pen camera to capture footage of a hired maid service stealing jewellery and other items.  Mr. Rod Derrick, of Lakeworth, Florida became suspicious after noticing some items missing from his dresser draw.  Following this he decide to create a sting operation.  After purchasing a motion activated spy pen, Mr. Derrick set the bait and left some fake jewellery by the bed stand in view of the hidden camera.  The next scheduled day from which the maid service was to attend, Mr. Derrick set the pen camera up before leaving for work.  When he returned home later that day, he immediately proceeded to check the covert footage obtained by the spy pen camera.  Much to his dismay, his initial theory was correct.  Ms. Maria Valderaz, 54, also of Lakeworth, Florida was caught stuffing a few pieces of the jewellery in her maid outfit.  Thanks to the hidden spy pen, this was all captured onto memory which is going to be used in evidence at court against her.

Pen cameras today are sold by various online retailers , available in a variety of resolutions and memory types/sizes.  The very best spy pens today offer 720P resolution, some with motion activated sensors.  These devices are becoming increasingly popular for private investigators, law enforcement, security personal and citizens with their own personal needs including monitoring staff, monitoring their home, recording job interviews and of course the mot infamous use, catching cheating spouses.  It is always important to do your due diligence in regard to these products as many of them are sold without warranty.  Spypenhq.com is a review based size that covers the current pen camera market in the most unbiased viewpoint possible with a perspective from a team of private investigators out of New York state.  Please feel free to leave a comment or let us know your opinion on spy pens.

We ordered 2 devices from spypen.net, a nondescript online retailer selling a variety of pen cameras.  We actually discovered the site via a Google search as it had not been brought to our attention by any of our readers or other investigators.

Firstly and before we go any further with this review, please not the website now seems to be somewhat defunct and is not offering any more spy pens for sale.  In addition we have noticed that some of the coding on the site is erroneaous and it looks as if the entire page has perhaps been abandoned to cyberspace.   We have seen this before, and despite the fact that a banner on the top of the page reads “shipped from the USA” our pen camera arrived from China.  We suspect the vendors Paypal has been disabled due to too many disputes, and rightly so as you will see:

Contrary to their claim, these spy pen cameras arrived from China, taking 3 weeks to arrive.  They each came in grey boxes with images of similar devices on the outside, with the manufactures name (View-Tecz) on the side and included on the single page instruction manual.  The two models we ordered were the 8 GB model with an absolutely rediculous 325×288 resolution.  Had I know this prior to purchase (I actually had an assistant order the product) I would not have bothered reviewing this device.  A spy pen with this low resolution belongs in 2001, not 2012.

Recording was relatively simple to operate, and both devices were built of decent quality, however even for $39 the product seems vastly over priced.  This is ancient cell-phone technology here.  One thing we would note, the actual spy pens differ in appearance in comparison with the photos supplied on the website.  Another indicator to would be buyers is to see how generic the pictures look.  We see a lot of the same images recycled all over the internet.

Playback was successful via direct USB 2.0 connection to both our Windows and Mac machines.  VLC player was used both times.  Again it boggles our mind how this product was being sold given the atrocious resolution the pen camera recorded in.  In terms of audio, the mic was pretty standard, and more inline with current models on the market.   Thusly, if audio is a priority, this is somewhat less of a horrible deal.

For private investigators, this device is an utter waste of money and aggravation.  As we have repeated here the video quality is so dismal it is near useless.  Added to this fact the low level or replay ability and you are left with a 40 dollar piece of plastic.  We would advise anyone to stay clear of this device (Editor: Seems like the site is no longer in operation).  Again we would recommend a much more capable spy pen such as this one or this one.  Remember, reliability is the most important factor with any spy pen camera.  Without it, too much is at risk.  Any device that does not function properly or well at the precise moment you need it will cause far more frustration than the few dollars saved.

NOTE:  This vendor is now on our Blacklist

Spy-pen.org is a Chinese based distributer selling 8 different spy pen models.  For our review, we elected to order two devices, both the 8GB ‘regular’ model and the 8GB ‘premium’ model.

Website

The website we noted seemed somewhat questionable in terms of legitimacy.  More specifically, we noted a lack of information on-site regarding the company’s warranty and returns program, no privacy-policy in place, nor any substantial information regarding the business itself.  In our experience these are the typical signs of a Chinese pump and dump operation, distributing various poor quality  pen camera models at low prices.    Our experience proved correct in our initial speculation, when we received both devices 3 weeks post-order, with an origin of China.  

UPDATE:  The vendor is no longer able to accept money via paypal, which is a typical sign of multiple disputes in progress.  

Build Quality

Both devices arrived in small separate white cardboard boxes, containing the spy pen camera, USB cord, and single page manual.  The spy pens are black in colour, with a medium thickness and cheap plastic feel.  Both produced blue ink and wrote in a moderately supple fashion akin to most average quality pens.  The pen clip we noted to be especially poor in construction, and snapped off both models within 1 month of purchase after considerably moderate testing relative to our other pen camera reviews.

Video Quality

Video quality is extremely poor, and not suitable for professional usage whatsoever with both the regular model and the ‘premium’ (640×480 resolution) version camera pens.    The regular model had an absurdly high level of pixelation, and any instances of movement exacerbated the problem redering the image unusable.  The premium spy pen faired slightly better, however again, with any significant movement  pixelated ghosting artifact would corrupt the footage.   From a professional investigative perspective these spy camera pens offer no value in terms of the product they can produce for our client.  The images are simply too grainy and distorted.  In addition, the still image capabilities did not function on either device from the get go.

Audio

Also poor, the audio recording abilities on both spy pen models were far below average, with the premiu model producing worse quality audio on playback versus the regular pen camera.   A constant clicking noise was emitted despite various media players tested, including our beloved and always steady VLC Player.  The built-in mic struggled to record voices in a quiet 700 square foot room

Software

There is no included software disc, rather you unscrew the pen camera in two and insert the USB into your computer.  NOTE:  NOT MAC COMPATIBLE.  A file folder will open in Windows based machines allowing you to drag and drop an .AVI file to your desktop.

Be advised, as previously mentioned both spy pen camera models we have reviewed have been added to our Blacklist.  Numerous recordings would not play back as the files had been corrupted.  About 1 in 4 files would function correctly and allow playback (albeit highly grainy).  This is a professionals nightmare in terms of reliability and level of quality with which to submit as evidence to a client.

Durability/Warranty

The battery within these pen cameras lasted for approxametly 1 hour our very first charge, continually deteriorating every subsquent recharge.  One moth after our initial reieving of our devices, both cameras hold a charge or around 10-15 minutes.  As stated previously, the clip on these pens used to fix to a shirt pocket are flimsy and broke after lmited usage.

Spy-pen.org offers NO warranty or returns program.  In fact, all complaints to the company after our purchase were ignored.  Prior to our order however we noted they would respond.  This is a classic rip off Chinese front.  This is a horrible product with zero reliability producing an unusable product.

We would conclude by saying avoid this spy pen as this pen camera operation is not legitimate in their claims nor in their product offering.  Rather, we would suggest looking at our top reviewed camera pen models such as the Securitysystems and Brickhouse devices.

Zetronix is a spy gadgets distributer based out of Boston, Massachusetts, and  has been in the online electronics  market since 2005.  We’ve had a number of requests to review their HD spy  camera pen and compare it with other top of the line models such as our current number one recommended spy pen by SecuritySystems.  With this in mind, much of the review will focus on comparing the Zetronix device with the aforementioned professional bench mark.  Suffice to say  for those who want the quick and easy answer: the SecuritySystems’ pen remains far and away unchallenged as top choice for P.I’s everywhere.   For those looking for why, read on…

Shipment

As per usual, we ordered two devices, both of which were the 8GB iterations.  They arrived in neat, discreet cardboard packaging containing the camera pen, A/C adapter, USB cord and user manual.  We ordered on a Monday evening and received the spy camera pens Friday afternoon, taking longer than expected.  One of the boxes appeared to have been handled roughly, with significant damage to the corner.  It remains unclear if this occurred prior to or during shipment.

Warranty

The Zetronix camera pen comes with the company’s standard one year warranty, which is quite frankly disappointing, especially given the price point.  It is hard not to compare this spy gadget to the SecuritySystems model which is less expensive and comes with a lifetime warranty, currently unprecedented in the industry today.  As professional investigators, reliability and a company that stands behind their product is paramount to our professional success. I have said it before, you cannot be in the field with a unit that cannot be counted on 100%.   Too much is at stake; our time, money, and the product we are obtaining for our clients. Zetronix and other manufacturers need to take a clue and get behind their product like the current  camera pen champion.

Video

Video quality on this device records at 720P  at 30fps in the .AVI format.  Overall, we were satisfied with the day-light performance of the pen camera given the top-level range of competitors in this price bracket.  That being said, and despite the use of a Sony ClearVid sensor, low-light recording was disappointing on both devices.  We assume the company is genuine in their claim of utilizing the Sony part, however the sub-par results remain puzzling.  In our line of work we frequently operate in areas of low lighting, as such this is a serious concern for professionals.  The SecuritySystems device performed SIGNIFICANTLY better in these conditions.  Again, another point for the current Champion.

Playback was smooth on the Windows machine we tested, utilizing VLC player in both cases, we enjoyed 30 fps. NOTE:  The Zetronix z-PenHD does NOT work with the Mac OS.    This is a serious concern, as in our office we do all our video editing with the Mac OS X.  Some of the guys carry Windows machines with them, but be warned, if your office conducts professional level editing with Apple products (not to start a debate on PC vs Mac, both have their pro’s and con’s) definitely look elsewhere.  This Windows-only compatibility can become an issue in your office.  Once again, the SecuritySystem device comes out on top, with duel compatibility.  This is extremely important, meaning all the Investigators in your office can upload and sync their video seamlessly without concern for the OS used.

Audio/Memory

The Zetronix spy camera pen has two modes, video with audio or audio only.  NOTE:  There is no video only mode, so professionals who work in areas where audio recording can cause legality issues, be aware Zetronix is not catering to your requirements.  Continuing on with our comparison to the top ranking spy pen, the SecuritySystems team offers a video only model.  Point again to the current reigning camera pen manufacturer.

Memory is internal and comes in 8GB or 16GB storage capacities.   Two important things to note with internal memory: 1)  If the memory becomes corrupted, you are out of luck, and the pen camera is now obsolete. 2) Professionals need interchangeable memory.  We need it for legality reasons in terms of storage on the original card (in court to make it less likely video was tampered with), and more importantly, when working mutiple files it is important to keep multiple claimants separate on their own card.

Conversely, the SecuritySystem pen is expandable with its memory, suited perfectly for professionals.  In addition, the SecuritySystems spy camera comes with proprietary supplemental equipment that allows for continuous recording (permanent surveillance unit) in which case you would want and need bot larger and interchangeable memory.

Another loss for Zetronix spy camera pen.

Operation/Build Quality

  Operation is relatively simple, with a single push button initiation to activate any of its modes.  In terms of comparison with the current number one recommendation, the Zetronix does well, but does not live up to the SecuritySystems polish, which includes a lens clasp to both hide and protect the lens when not in use.  In addition, the Zetronix device was noticeably chunkier in its design.  The spy cam wrote smoothly fulfilling its secondary operation as we as expected.

Client Care

This really bugged us.  The phone number Zetronix provides on their website does not work.  We emailed them questions about the spy pen (in our test to see their response time) on a Friday morning and received an email the following Tuesday.  This is unacceptable at this price point.  Again and again SecuritySystems proves why they deserve to be the top professional choice.  Same day replies, real working phone number.

Final Thoughts and Other Criticisms

Lets consider this:  The Zetronix spy camera pen has a bright flashing LED diode in the most conspicuous of places.  The SecuritySystems device does not.  The Zetronix spycam has inferior low-light video recording ability, detrimental internal memory (see our discussion above), is chunkier, is not Mac compatible, more expensive, does not have a video only model, does not have a motion activated varient, does not have the proprietary equipment for permanent surveillance options, and most importantly, does not have a lifetime warranty.  Oh ya, and the time and date stamp implementation is a pain.  

The Zetronix device, although solid in comparison to the vast majority of other pen camera offerings, fails to even remotly approach the professional standard the SecuritySystems spy pen has since established.  3/5

-Tim

Foreword (About Private Investigators, SpypenHQ and Our Industry)

(NOTICE: As this is one of our more popular pages, we will remind  fellow investigators in New York State that P.I Magazine presents the 2012 East Coast Super Conference, hosted by NJLPIA (New Jersey Licednsed Private Investigators Association) at the Tropicano Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, NJ on October 10-12, 2012 .  ALDONYS (Associated Licensed Detectives Of New York State) of which we are a member will be co-hosting the event, and we encourage our fellow P.I’s across the state to attend.  Click here for more info)

If you’ve read our other reviews and followed this blog for any period of time, you will know it was created initially for fellow Private Investigators (see: Who Reviews These Anyways? and Why Spy Pen Headquarters?) seeking to sift through the  ’junk pens’ (there are many – here is our 2012 Blacklist of the most unreliable pen cameras on the market.  Remember, if you’ve been burned by a similar retailer selling spycams that are broken or faulty upon arrival, and there are far too many of these, drop us a line at contact@spypenhq.com.  We will investigate and add them to the list).  

As mentioned previously, in our industry, reliability is everything. Having a faulty device can and has cost Investigators significant sums of money, time and even resulted in lost clients.  I’ve seen it happen time and again where a fellow P.I is getting what he thinks are ‘the goods’ (i.e, recording incriminating evidence favorable to the client and detrimental to the subject) when in fact he returns to the office to review what was recorded and finds to his great dismay, a blank screen.  The implications of this are quite significant as any P.I reading this knows:  A) He cannot charge for his time as he failed to deliver a product.  This is incredibly embarrassing to admit to a client, and utterly non-professional.  The P.I firm will send the investigator back out on his own time (could lose days of work) to attempt obtaining the same footage.  Which leads to the second issue: B) Opportunities are not always presented a second time.  This is the hardest aspect to swallow, as I can personally attest.  Using my industry (primarily insurance fraud) as an example, if you catch your subject who is claiming a bad back lifting bags of cement at a Home Depot and placing them in a shopping cart, that is ‘gold’ to the client.  Imagine however it turns out nothing was recording. There is a good chance you will not observe the same scenario, even if they paid you to do weeks and weeks of surveillance (which they won’t). 

The point is this:  There are so many unreliable, knock-off junk pens in the market doing damage to our industry, we’ve elected to create a website mandated to find a standard.  Something we professionals can count on every single time while out in the field.  This is our job and lively hood, and having to hope a little plastic spy camera we ordered from China is gonna work, is simply too much risk.  

The extended ’intro’ to this review is to give some perspective on just why we are so enthusiastic about this new device.  This is precisely what our industry needs.  This is the standard we have been looking for.  Reliability, 720 HD, low-light, life-time warranty, expandable memory, product support, it has it all.  We hope any fellow P.I out there reading this takes the time to read this review and see why we recommend it 100%.  Believe us, you wont regret it.  

We’ve broken the review down into two portions.  A small point-form breakdown for our attention-challenged friends, and an in depth review for those Investigators who still do some investigating (that one’s a joke).

Point Form Review – Why Did We Rank This #1 For Private Investigators?

Lifetime Warranty - The second longest warranty in the pen camera industry is 1-year to give you some perspective.   Imagine the quality control required to make such a proposition as life-time warranty cost effective. SecuritySystems stands behind their product like no other seller.  This is music to the ears of any professional looking to eliminate the risk of losing  that once in a lifetime shot.

Flawless Reliability - All three of our test devices worked on time, everytime through months of real P.I work.   Highest level of quality control in the industry.  This is the most important factor when buying a spy camera pen.    

Highest Quality HD  Video (thanks to a Sony CLEARVID chip) - A vastly noticeable quality improvement over current market competitors.  The other interesting thing about this Sony lens/chip is its greater ability in low-light settings.  Video on playback surpassed all our previous benchmarks including the DOD and Brickhouse devices.  P.I’s can appreciate how many scenarios involve low-light settings.

Real Customer Service - SecuritySystems actually has a working telephone number that they answer.  Emails are replied to within a day.  No need to speak Chinese or deal with ‘online representatives‘.   

More Than Just A Spy Pen - Permanent surveillance solution. We’ve learned and have verified this particular spy pen is an exclusive proprietary product designed by SecuritySystems.com. Do not be swayed by other claims–we’ve been burned by false advertising on a number of devices (see some of our other reviews or the Blacklist).  There is NO other vendor selling this spy pen.  They’ve painstakingly  addressed and corrected all the flaws found in other junk spy pens. (See our in-depth review below for what we mean.)

Unique AC Adapter and  5ft USB Cord-  Another unique feature to this device, allowing for 17+ hours of continuous recording.  With the motion activated model, a complete hidden camera system is created.  The propriety equipment is perfectly suited for our fellow investigators in the corporate espionage field, monitoring employee theft and behavior.

Motion Activated Model - The implications and possibilities with this are obviously quite extensive.  This is an entire surveillance unit.

Extra Slim Profile - Not fat and chunky like most.  Also has a useful lens clasp cover.  Has a real quality/durable feel.

Still The Only Device In The Industry Without A Flashing Light At The Top - Finally someone fixes this issue.  We used to put black electrical tape over the LED on other spy pens, which altered the shape of the device drawing further unwanted attention under scrutiny.  Such a simple flaw, it is a wonder SecuritySystems is the only company to have thus far listened to the needs of professionals.  

Optional Date & Time Stamping –  For Private Investigators, this is an obviously essential requirement for the purpose of gathering court admissible  evidence.  The fact that some devices do not offer this basic and essential feature immediately eliminates them from use in a professional capacity.  Another unique feature to this device is built in duel functionality.  That is, Time and Date  is optional.  Other pen cameras are either always stamped, or never.   So if you have use for the spy pen in some other capacity, you have the choice to keep the screen clean and clear.  It appears in the very bottom right corner as: 2012-01-15: 11:25:32   

Unique Optional Model With Audio Disabled For Use In A Professional Capacity - The only device we’ve encountered designed specifically for the requirements of  professionals who must abide by specific recording laws (see current US laws, Canadian laws and U.K laws). Ultimately, SecuritySystems is aware that sometimes recording under specific situations could violate the recording laws and using this evidence in court would be inadmissible. Recognizing this need they have designed the only custom AUDIO DISABLED spy pen. This custom unit records only video. Considerations for use in professional capacities such as this audio disabled model are consistent through all the company’s spy pen versions.  It’s really a testament to  SecuritySystems dedication to creating the best device possible for true professionals and specialists.   

Instructions Are In Plain English – It’s truly astounding (and frustrating) the number of sellers  who bundle their spy camera pens with unreadable operation manuals.  It serves to illustrate their utter lack of consideration and concern for quality products sold in Western markets.  For myself and immediate co-workers who are already intimately familiar with operating these devices due to our numerous reviews, these manuals do not pose a problem (we don’t read them) as their operation is already known to us.  However, for other Investigators who are looking for a professional device, be warned:  The majority of instruction manuals look like this (click image to enlarge):

(An example of a typical vendor )

SecuritySystems instead delivers a manual in crystal clear, easy to understand English.  We were pleased to see such  polished dedication present in their offering.  It  truly demonstrates  how greatly the company values their customers.  Not only this, but if any difficulties arise in understanding the operation of the device, a simple phone call or email to the company and they will resolve your questions (company is staffed and operated by Americans in America).

 100% compatible with latest Mac OS X Lion update (10.7.3): SecuritySystems keeps up to date with both Mac and Windows operating systems.  If your office does professional video editing, take note.  Easily 90% of all pen cameras we have reviewed are not compatible with Mac whatsoever, and the ones that are function within only specific updates.   Please note, all spy camera pens found on our Blacklist, Amazon and Ebay are not compatible with the latest OS X Lion releases, despite claims to the contrary. Our recent testing (February 3,2012) of these devices showed numerous errors and compatibility issues.  Save yourself the headache and trouble shooting if you’re a Mac user.  

Legit call in testimonials:  As investigators we are a naturally suspicious and inquisitive group of people.  By extension, we smell out the fake testimonials cooked up by web-masters to legitimize their product.  Of course this is nothing new, and a fairly well established practice in modern internet marketing.   SecuritySystems has bucked the trend by allowing their customers to leave real voice testimonials via a free 1-800 number.  Their are many call-ins from other investigators and law enforcement officers, echoing our sentiments on the professional quality and top-of-class features present in this device.  The reason we we mention this, is to demonstrate just how legit this product is and how open the company is to professional feedback.  Check out some of the call-in testimonials for yourself by clicking anywhere on this sentence.

Best Value In The Market Today - Considering the lifetime warranty, best-in-class video/audio capability, the incredible quality control/reliability (we encourage you to read our coverage on this below)  and the unique functions to this specific device (the permanent surveillance solutions this pen camera is capable of is worth hundreds alone, and would normally require a completely different device) this pen cam offers the best value on the market today.  It is our hope other spy pen vendors will follow the lead of SecuritySystems and improve their products across the board, benefiting our industry and all those relying on hidden camera equipment. 

Indepth Review

•  LIFETIME WARRANTY  

 We at Spy Pen Headquarters have never once come across such a value proposition.  If you have read any of our other reviews or have purchased spy pens in the past, you’ll instantly note the industry standard for these devices range from no warranty, to at best, 1 year.  No warranty.  To 1-year.  What does that say about these products? This is why the SecuritySystems’ pen is our #1 ranked and recommended device.  No other company comes close

And take it from us doing all these reviews, dealing with customer care in China where virtually all of these devices are sold and shipped from,  is often a hair-pulling nightmare.  Half of the time, even if the broken device  is still under warranty, it is less headache to simply toss the pen in the trash rather than deal with the multi-month shipping times and agonizing email exchanges.  You can forget about getting someone on the phone.  This is the reality of the pen camera market.

 Thankfully, Bill Mullen, the American behind this device  has poured his heart and soul into providing the best device for professionals.  Research into what our industry needs (reliability, quality control, continued support) has obviously been done extensively.  The company stands behind the spy camera with a truly UNHEARD of lifetime warranty.  Unequivocally, you will not find any other company in the pen camera industry offer the support Bill and the SecuritySytems’ team.  Trust us, we have scoured high and low and dealt with all manner of vendors.   As the expression goes, ‘actions speak louder than words’ and when someone personally offers this level of insurance against defect they’re in it for more than just the money, this is a passion and a commitment.    If we our going to put our reputation on the line, both in a professional capacity as well as in regards to this site, you can bet it’s going to be on the vendor who stands behind their product the most.

• TRULY OUTSTANDING RELIABILITY – WORKS ON TIME, EVERY TIME

The pen works on time, every time.  This level of reliability is the best we have ever tested (Editor Update:  Now 26 investigators with months of in-field professional usage.  No failures to date.  We have six guys on the on the road who still use other devices, one of whom just recently lost a hugely important file for a new client due to a faulty pen camera (was the Brickhouse model).  He’s since changed over to the security systems  device.)  and it really isn’t a surprise given the extreme quality control the SecuritySystem team implements on every single device sold.  Each pen is rigorously tested over and over again at multiple manufacturing stages, resulting in an industry smashing %0.05 defect rate (this figure is from SecuritySystems).   Other pen cameras we’ve tested (see our other reviews as well as the BLACKLIST and Problems with Ebay Spy Pens) are in double digit defect rate territory, with many dead on arrival, or faltering days after purchase.  If you haven’t owned a spy pen before, believe us when we say the most frustrating thing in the world is having the device fail at that crucial moment, it completely defeats the purpose.  Reliability is key, you cannot have devices failing at opportune moments that may never occur again as illustrated in the intro.  It is simply too costly, in terms of time, professional reputation, and lost moments.  This cannot be reiterated enough as Investigators who have been burned before can attest.  The risk is not worth the tiny price savings.  This has been proven over and over and over again.  

It is important to note the spy gadget industry is in no way regulated with quality standards. The fly-by-night pump and dump Chinese operations from which I’ve personally been burned rely on low price to entice the buyer, offering no warranty, customer service, clear instructions, or a functional device  This is a warning to other investigators to do your research.  See out 2012 BLACKLIST (click here) for the worst offenders.  Remember to email us if you have any additions.

To risk sounding like a broken record, the single MOST important feature of any spy pen is reliability.  We cannot stress this enough. Without it, your device is at best a useless paperweight, at worse it’s cost you money and blew the only chance you had at obtaining the video you needed.  For us professionals, there is simply too much on the line to risk anything less than the best. SecuritySystems has done a tremendous job of ensuring their product can be counted on every time. Cudos to the company, for producing a device of use to the professional community.

• THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE OUT THERE

Communication with Bill and his team is a prime example of what customer service should be:  Helpful, courteous, quick, and–with no disrespect intended to others–in clear and plain english.   Bill responds to any email inquiries personally and promptly, and also has available a 1-800 number should you wish to speak to him directly.  You will absolutely not find this level of openness and communication with any other manufacturer out there, unless you know Mandarin or Cantonese.

•  SONY CLEARVID CMOS CHIP

This device is equipped with a genuine Sony Clearvid cmos chip.  Every other  spy pen we have reviewed, including the Brickhouse Spy Pen (which we ranked highly, but does not record in  the same level of quality  as the SecuritySystems device) use knock off variations.  The Sony Clearvid cmos chip  reduces the picture noise ( fuzziness) that can ruin your footage when you shoot in low light.  Professionals needing covert video take note:  This unique Sony  sensor uses larger pixels to capture more light and a higher density of green pixels to increase resolution and widen the dynamic range, resulting in brighter, crisper images.  The video we obtained is noticeably better than even the more expensive DOD PH720HD Pen Camcorder, with a smooth 30 FPS at 1280×720 pixels (640×480 and 352×288 are also recordable options).  The low-light video recording ability provided by the Sony Clearvid cmos chip is reason enough to make this your default spy pen, especially if you work in a professional capacity.  In terms of  video quality, the SecuritySystem HD Pen is best in class, period.

• CAN RECORD FOR 17 HOURS & PROVIDE A PERMANENT-POWER SURVEILLANCE SOLUTION

This device is the only spy pen that has expandable memory as a standard option.  Finally.  I am sure other investigators can relate to being infield and obtaining top-quality footage of their subject only to forget the following day that they did not download the data to their PC.  This means we would either have to overwrite the data, or not obtain new footage.  With expandable memory, we can have multiple memory cards on hand to store data and have back up space if a situation such as this arises.  And it often does since the reports we write require us to go over the footage we obtain with a fine tooth comb, of which we often do not do until days later.  The SecuritySystem device offers a solution to this infield professional problem.

With a 32GB card one can record up to 17 hours of continuous footage (conveniently broken down into segmented 1 hr files).  This is possible due to the SecuritySystems team devising a unique proprietary AC adapter that plugs into an outlet and directly into the pen via a long USB cord.  The resulting possible applications based on this feature are immense, and suddenly this spy pen is now also a true surveillance system.  No other device we have come across offers any other power option besides the built in battery.  With this feature you can leave the pen on, hidden on a desk or shelf running continuously (the pen also has no flashing light when recording -SEE BELOW).   Again, utterly unique in the market, this device caters to a far broader range of professionals and power users alike.  With the MOTION ACTIVATED version (COVERED BELOW) you have a home monitoring system that costs thousands less.  There is no competition to compare to this device, because none of the competition offer features like these.  This pen is truly unique.

• NO FLASHING LIGHT WHILE RECORDING

This pen camera was obviously custom designed for Private Investigators and under cover Law Enforcement Officers who specifically needed a high-end device that did not have a bright LED light flashing during the recording phase.  In previous devices we reviewed and utilized, this was a constant problem, one that was solved with black electrical tape covering the diode, however it was easily rubbed off and altered the profile of the device lending it to more scrutiny.  Not good.  The SecuritySystems HD Pen solves this issue by placing the diode mid-pen (an LED is necessary to let you know in what mode the device is set) however it does NOT flash while in operation.  One would think other spy pen manufacturers would consider this issue, but Bill and the SecuritySystems team consulted with P.I’s and LEO’s prior to designing the pen, and identified this simple problem.  Other pen camera makers need to get with the program and understand what we, their market, want and need in a spy device.

•  PREMIUM BUILD QUALITY w/ EXTRA SLIM PROFILE

The profile on this pen is extra slim, giving it a far more realistic look, with a premium quality feel to it.  You feel like you are holding something of value.   Some of the other devices we have reviewed are comically large with a chunky plastic build looking wholly unrealistic (the SecuriX pen camcorder comes to mind).  Not the case with the SecuritySystems’ model, which also sports a handy sliding door to conceal and protect the lens  with while it rests in your pocket or elsewhere.  The clasp slides up and down firmly and tightly and does not feel cheap or flimsy.  For Private Investigators who have to toss their equipment around during surveillance, this added feature is great for protecting our investment.  Overall we were very impressed, and despite sounding like a broken record we wonder why other manufacturers don’t aspire to similar levels of quality.

The time and date stamp is simple to program and clearly explained thanks to the well written user manual. For P.I’s, time and date stamp is an essential requirement when submitting as evidence.  Fortunately SecuritySystems has implemented an extremely simple and effective means to this end. We would also note it is entirely optional if you wish for this feature to display or not.  In addition, this pen is compatible with every interation of Windows we tested( XP, Vista and 7)  as well as Mac (we tested OS X Lion).  Flawless instillation, simple to operate, time and date stamp. 

•  OUR CONCLUSION

The SecuritySystems HD Spy Pen (link) is quite simply the best device we have yet encountered or reviewed, and by an exceptionally large margin.  For professionals, there is no better choice in the market today.

After extensive testing, we have concluded and feel comfortable not only putting our reputation on the line as a credible review source by recommending this product to professionals, but we are also willing to risk the quality of  results our fellow Private Investigators will obtain for their clients with this device.  We are so confident with this product after months of in-field use, and after acquiring extensive experience with the spy pen market as a whole through our other reviews, and seeing first hand what else  is available.

SecuritySystems’ HD product is the gold standard we’ve been searching for, and our absolute top recommendation to other investigators everywhere.

The lifetime warranty is truly unprecedented and a bold statement on the quality and dedication the SecuritySystems team and Bill have put into this device. Actions in this case do speak louder than words. Combined with the flawless reliability, crystal clear Sony Clearvid Chip, outstanding build quality, attention to detail for professional requirements (no flashing light while recording, expandable memory, AC power adapter, lens clasp, optional date & time stamp and portable power supply add-on) this is the de-facto spy pen for Private Investigators and anyone else in the market who needs something that works on-time, everytime and at the best quality.  We believe you cannot go wrong with this device.

Cheers, we hope you found this review helpful.  Feel free to drop us a line at contact@spypenhq.com or post in the comments section below.

-Tim and the SpypenHQ staff.

 To visit SecuritySystems for yourself, CLICK HERE

Spy Gadget Online.Ca is a distributor of spy gadgets located in Quebec, Canada.   They ship their packages in a discreet manner, utilizing SPonline as their return address.  Nothing else is mentioned.   Shipping is free for residents in Canada if total basket exceeds $200.  For the States shipping was $15 via UPS.

We ordered two of their devices, which was quite pricey, at $200 Canadian each (approximately $185 U.S)  They arrived as mentioned above in discreet packaging addressed to our office.  Most likely due to customs, our shipment took three weeks to arrive, so if you live Stateside be aware of this possible snag in getting your order.

Both pens were neatly packaged, containing a software disc, USB cable and a small manual.  The user manual we note suffers the same poor english translation as many other spy gadgets in this price range.  For $200 bucks, you’d think they could take the time to re-write this.  Moving along…

Video Quality

The spy camera pen records at 720P resolution and encodes in M-Jpeg format and saves in .avi.  At this price level, we expect no less then HD.  On playback, the recorded video was better than average, but not by much.   Resolution was sharp, but frame rate was disappointingly choppy.  Still pictures are another feature standard to this spy camera, limited to the same resolution of the video (720P) in the JPEG format.    Low-light quality left more to be desired, again most specifically because of the high price for these devices.  The CMOS sensor equipped in this spy gadget’s internals are more akin to a device   half its price.

Audio Ability

The spy pen is also equipped with an audio recording ability, with a mic capable of reasonable sound acquisition from a moderate distance.  Nothing special or negative to about these spy gadgets in particular, overall this feature was satifactory.

Memory and Battery

The camera pen comes with an internal 4GB of storage, which is capable of recording up to 3 hours of HD video.  Our testing revealed this to be accurate for the most part, actually recording about 15 minutes longer.    Lithium-ion battery charges within 3 hours and lasts for 3 hours which syncs well with the 4GB of disk space.

Operation and Software

The operation of these pencameras is no different than most.  Utilizing a top mounted button which is pressed in specific sequences, the spy pen initiates either in recording mode or still camera mode.  We found the reliability in our testing to be reasonable, and experienced only minor malfunctions which were easily corrected by resetting the device and staring over.   Overall the performance was solid, but again, given the price point of this device, it should be closer to flawless.  Software comes on a disc simply labled ‘Drivers’.  It installed simply and presented an extremely simple interface in which to manipulate certain options such as a time and date stamp.

Warranty & Returns

All products from this vendor come equipped with a standard 1 year warranty.  Returns, having to be shipped back to Canada, are a bit of a pain as you gave to go thrgouh customs twice, so factor this into your buying descion as well.

ThinkGeek is a popular online retailer distributing a large variety of items ranging from clothing to unique gadgets and gizmos.   We recently ordered two of their spy pen spy cameras to give a whirl.  The products shipped out of Ohio and we received our neatly packaged pen cameras within only a few days of ordering.

Build

The spy pens are black with silver accents and he device has an overall light plastic feel which is simply not satisfying to hold (not to sound too pretentious!).  The video lens  is located as per most devices directly above the clip. In terms of size, the spy pen camera is chunkier than some of its competitors, but this is not detrimental to any large degree.  Black ink rolls out of the pens tip with ease (if that is something you are concerned with).  Overall we would rate the build quality of this device 3/5.

Video Quality

The ThinkGeek Spycam Video Pen Camera is equipped with a sensor capable of 640×480 resolution which records at 30fps in the .AVI format.   On playback, the video was decent, colors were somewhat washed out and the frame rate was over advertised  A more accurate framerate specification would be around 20fps.  Low-light testing revealed a serious weakness with the device, so if you planning on using the pencam in an area without adequate lighting, be warned.  Not mentioned on the website is the spy camera pens ability to take still images which are saved in JPEG format.    The audio of the device is solid, and it even captured bits of a telephone conversation from another investigator in a closed office.

Operation

The spy camera pen is operated by a button located on the top of the device.  Holding and pressing it in different sequences initiates recording or picture taking.  Simply twist the device while griped on either end and it unscrews to reveal a USB port.  Insert into your computer (works on both Mac and Windows based machines) and simply access the drive to retrieve your files.  We found VLC player to as always to be our choice media program.  The video pen comes with a 4GB internal memory drive, which is likely sufficient for most needs.  We always prefer however the option of expandable memory to suit your circumstances.

Battery

The ThinkGeek pen pinhole camera comes equipped with a rechargeable Li-ion battery the provides two hours worth of record time.  In our testing we found this to be accurate.  We also noted after approximately 30 charges, the device still retained most of this power.

Other Information

ThinkGeek has excellent customer care relative to other online vendors, however be warned this device can be exchanged within 30 days but there is NO warranty.  That is an important thing to consider, particularly because pen cameras have notorious reliability issues.  The two devices we tested are no exception, as one of the spy pens seemed to glitch out a few days before we sat down to write this review.