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p/scout-9Find hidden cameras in Airbnbs, hotels, & public restrooms
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Nick O'Neill

Scout - Find hidden cameras in Airbnbs, hotels, & public restrooms

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Scout is a hidden camera finder for anyone who's concerned about being spied on in private spaces. Every week, the media reports stories of spy cameras being found in Airbnbs, hotels, public bathrooms, gyms, and more - Scout finds them!

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Sekhar Chandra
So, you've got two sides of the coin covered - both airbnb hosts and guests. Not only do you sell spy camera products (to hosts) but also products to detect those spy cameras (to guests)? So create a problem and then a solution - brilliant. /s
Allen Walton
Maker
@sekhar_chandra I was waiting for this comment! Hidden cameras (and other spy tools) can be great tools when used legally. I've had law enforcement, private investigators, business owners, concerned parents, concerned children of the elderly.... they can be used to catch abuse, theft, and even save lives. Putting them in private areas is illegal, though, and Scout helps find those cameras.
Allen Walton
Maker
Hey amigos, thanks for checking out Scout! Appreciate ya, @allnick. I've dreamed of making my own products for years, and Scout is the first one to come to fruition. I've been in the spy/surveillance space for about 10 years now, with the last 5 being at my own company, SpyGuy, which I started after reading the 4 Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss. Over time, I've watched as more and more stories hit the news about hidden cameras being found in private places - and those are just the ones that were found. Since I've been in the industry so long, I know just how prevalent these things are, how people are using them, and how people are really concerned about being filmed without their consent. Most advice on finding hidden cameras sucks. Media outlets tell you scan WiFi networks, or to buy a radio frequency (RF) detector, despite the fact that most hidden cameras aren't even transmitting a signal. Scout can work on all hidden cameras because it looks for the lens itself, which has to be exposed so the camera can see anything. I'm happy to take any questions about SpyGuy or Scout - starting it, development, scaling, whatever. To any aspiring entrepreneurs out there, I've posted a link to my 4HWW case study that was on the Tim Ferriss podcast nearly a year ago. I've been told it's "surprisingly not bad". Finally, pretty sure y'all like discounts so if you use code 'producthunt' at checkout you'll get 15% off on Scout for the rest of the week.
Tkachenko Arthur ~UA~
@allnick @allenthird do you sell it on Amazon?
Allen Walton
Maker
@allnick @arthur_tkachenko no, we don't. Maybe it'll be something we do in the future, but right now we're only offering it on our website.
Brandon Gregg
SCAM! This has been around for years, usually $20 or less online. If you want real "TSCM" buy a product that will actually find hidden cameras. Save your money. Guess what, as crappy as this one is (https://www.amazon.com/Detector-...) it does the same "Trick". Want the real deal look at https://reiusa.net/
Cosmo Jones
@brandon_gregg Not sure this is the fairest comment, and I'd like to hear what the maker has to say. The Scout product looks a lot simpler to use and far more design thought was put into it in my opinion. Even if it does the same thing, it might be a better experience for users. The second link is for industry professionals, nobody that just wants to make sure their Airbnb isn't crawling with cameras is going to take their courses and become a professional. Anyhoodles, I remain curious and would like to understand how Scout might be a better option than one of the all in one RF/EMF gadgets which I do agree look like cheap toys. As I type someone is likely working on a hidden camera lens upgrade that will fool these types of devices...
Chris K
@brandon_gregg personally know allen and he's definitely not some sleazy scammer. i've seen him put a lot of time and resources into developing this product. product may look simple but there was a lot of thought that went into the function and design. i have no affiliation with spy guy but am just a dude who knows allen and what went into bringing this to market.
Faisal Hassan
@chris_kim3, @brandon_gregg is right. This tech is not only available on Amazon but I bought something (almost) exactly like this for <$10 from AliExpress in 2015. Almost, because that device also makes a beeping noise (plus everything this product does) when it detects a camera, so I really don't know what you mean by 'a lot of thought went into the function', as if this was something unique. Allen's design is unique, I can give you that, but it doesn't justify the hefty price tag of $99. Also, congratulations on the brand new account that you created just for commenting this. 🙄
Brandon Gregg
@chris_kim3 see this? https://images.app.goo.gl/vzroUi... I've had one since 2011. Hope someone has a patent...
Brandon Gregg
@cosmojones https://images.app.goo.gl/vzroUi... had this since 2011 or longer...
Ellen Choi
Seems like a great tool to have when traveling overseas! Thanks for helping women fight the creep factor while traveling.
Allen Walton
Maker
@lnchoi absolutely, Ellen - we knew women would appreciate this product the most. It's been a really big issue for women in South Korea: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/...
Nick O'Neill
Hunter
I came across Allen via the Texas startup collective I follow on Twitter. Turned out he was building a pretty compelling site focused on spy gear (both for spying and for detecting spys). In this case, the hidden camera finder is a super compelling product for those who are traveling the world, especially as cameras become smaller and more obscure.
Alex Conway
This is so cool!! I love spy gadgets :) That survey saying 58% of AirBnB guests worry about a camera is wild. I honestly never considered it but makes sense. Congratulations on the product launch!
Allen Walton
Maker
@alxcnwy Thanks, Alex! I was pretty surprised there was a survey done about that, apparently it's on the radar of someone over at that company. I think about it every time I stay somewhere in another city... I look at the smoke detectors and think, "I've seen detectors with cameras in them that look just like that..."
Wristy Manchego
@alxcnwy @allenthird Depends how the survey is worded... "Have you ever been concerned about hidden cameras in your AirBnB?" Would yield different results to "Would you be concerned about hidden cameras in your AirBnB?"
Jesse ✌️
Honestly, this is such a fun product. Got to try it in a hotel recently when I caught up with Allen at a conference and had a blast playing with it. Can't wait to use it in my check-in ritual at all Airbnb's moving forward, haha.
Allen Walton
Maker
@jessethanley thanks, Jesse! It was a lot of fun seeing your reaction to Scout, you enjoyed it the most out of anyone I've shown.
Lucas Walker
Love this and thought it would be $199. As I’m in an Air BnB now I’ve been playing is that a camera. Since I don’t have a scout my only option is to put on a show.
Allen Walton
Maker
@walkerlucas Believe it or not, over the last decade I've seen products that do this exact thing sell for over $400, which is some serious price gouging.
Nick Haase
Really excited to see this launch on PH today. Allen is the Spy Camera guru - if anyone knows the space, it’s him. This product is a no-brainer for anyone who wants some peace of mind wherever they travel
Allen Walton
Maker
@nickatloot thanks, Nick! Appreciate you telling me about PH when we met up a couple years ago.
Nat Eliason
I got to play with an early Scout and it was really fun looking around the restaurant we were in trying to find the cameras, even if we got some funny looks. It's small enough to be easily tossed in your luggage, so I'll be bringing mine on trips from now on.
Allen Walton
Maker
@nateliason haha, it definitely gets everyone’s attention when you start waving this around everywhere...
Simon Bromberg
Kudos on the straightforward, straight-talking video that is easy to understand and doesn't try to scare or manipulate you or use anything flashy or cheesy re-enactments.
Allen Walton
Maker
@shimmb thank you. I really dislike being on camera and put off filming until the last moment possible. Also not trying to stoke fear, even though this is a bit scary.
Johnathan Solorzano
Dude, this is awesome!
Allen Walton
Maker
@johnathan_solorzano1 haha, thanks Jonathan!
Edison Espinosa
Just the fact that there's a need for this product is crazy. These times we live in I tell ya..
Allen Walton
Maker
@edisonjoao6871 yes, a bit sad. Unfortunately we're going to see stories like this for a long time unless something big happens to disrupt it.
Mark William Lewis
Allen showed me an early model of this a few months ago and it worked like a charm. The price isn't too crazy either. For anyone who's a frequent Airbnb'er this seems like a no-brainer.
Allen Walton
Maker
@mrloo thanks, Mark!
Joshua Dance
How does it work?
Allen Walton
Maker
@joshdance You look through the device, and a light flashes off the lens of a camera. It's hard to explain, so we made the video up top to explain it the best we can - but actually using it in person is how you really kinda 'get' it.
Whitney Trujillo
This is amazing, just ordered one. I do a lot of overseas travel and this will be extremely useful.
Allen Walton
Maker
@whitneytrujillo glad you like it!
Tommy Griffith
Huuuuge! Super fired up for this, congrats @allenthird!
Allen Walton
Maker
@tommygriffith Thanks, Tommy!
Mike Fernandez
Go Allen! Here for the moral support, lol
vahid zadkamali
tanx For in Site
Chase Giunta
Lol what's up Allen - Nice to see you on here. Congrats on the product launch.