A
B C
D
E
Fig. A: The micro camera you’ll be using for this project.
Fig. B: Use a Dremel tool to cut a routing notch in the
camera housing. Fig. C: Cut the cable a few inches
from the camera.
MATERIALS
Solar Shield sunglasses or any brand in the wrap-around style. I found mine for $19.
Micro color spy camera that records audio You need
one that can be powered by a 9V battery. eBay
has the best selection; the camera I bought was
$20 delivered to my door.
9V battery
4-conductor wire, about 4' This can be any small
wire no larger than the diameter of the temple of
the sunglasses. I used 24-gauge telephone wire.
Small camcorder any brand with A/V inputs, small
enough to fit in a coat or pants pocket. Mine is a
Sony DCR-HC32.
TOOLS
Wire stripper/cutter
Soldering iron and solder
Black heat-shrink tubing
Hot glue gun
Small screwdriver(s)
X-Acto knife
Electrical tape
Dremel tool
F
Fig. D: Strip wires on both ends. Fig. E: Make an extension cable and strip both ends. Fig. F: Slip heat-shrink
tubing over both ends of the extension cable.
connectors. Cut back the insulation and strip the
wires on both halves of the cable (Figure D).
Now prepare your extension cable. Cut a 4' length
of 4-conductor wire, then trim the insulation back
and strip the wires on both ends (Figure E). Cut 2
pieces of heat-shrink tubing and slip them onto
the extension cable (Figure F). Twist all the connections together, taking note of the color-coding.
Then attach your 9V battery to the red (power)
connector, and check to make sure you’re getting
video and audio by hooking the cable up to your
camcorder or to a TV monitor.
Once you’re sure everything is wired correctly,
solder the 4 wires from the camera to the extension
cable (Figures G and H). I added a small piece of
electrical tape to insulate the 4 connections from
one another. Then slip the heat-shrink tubing over
your connections and use a heat gun, hair dryer, or
lighter to heat up the tubing until it becomes snug
(Figure I). If you use a lighter, quickly move it back
and forth under the tubing so you don’t burn it. Now
repeat the process with the other end of the cable.
3. Mount camera in the sunglasses.
Clean the sunglasses lens on the side where you’ll
install the camera, because once it’s glued in place
Make: 139
