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Hardware Hackers Create a Cheaper Bedazzler

Posted by timothy on from the just-in-time-for-trick-or-treaters dept.

ptorrone writes "Hardware hacker extraordinaires Ladyada (Adafruit Industries) and Phil Torrone (of MAKE magazine) have just published an open source 'Homeland Security' project, a non-lethal LED-Based Incapacitator: THE BEDAZZLER. After attending a conference where the $1 million 'sea-sick flashlight' (THE DAZZLER) was demoed by Homeland Security, the duo decided to created an under-$250 version, and just released the source code, schematics and PCB files. The team also released a 5 minute video describing the 'official version' as well as how they created the 'open source hardware' version."

4 of 282 comments (clear)

  1. Re:The purpose of the article by ladyada · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Actually, it does precisely the same thing as any other 'flashing weapon', gives you a headache and makes your eyes hurt

  2. Re:Except that... by goodmanj · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Replying to my own post ... actually, the problem is not just that what's dangerous to one person in a crowd is merely annoying to another. The overlap occurs in individuals too.

    If a person is sufficiently motivated, especially if they're well-trained or on drugs, even *lethal* force can be inadequate to stop them.

  3. Re:Except that... by TheRaven64 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I'm 27 and I can hear the frequency emitted by that device very clearly. Of the friends I asked, age ranges from 25-35, only two couldn't hear it (ages 28 and 34). One of my friends is an audiologist and apparently that frequency range is often inaudible to teenagers if they spend a lot of time listening to loud music. So, it's works really well at deterring the quiet teenagers and young to middle-aged adults...

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    I am TheRaven on Soylent News
  4. Re:Pigs will like this by lgw · · Score: 3, Interesting

    And yet, when you get in trouble, your first call will be to 911 and the first responder will most likely be a police officer who will try and help you or your family in any way he can.

    I'll order a pizza instead. The pizza guy will show up sooner, might actually help, and is less likely to hassle me instead. Cops are good for providing paperwork required by insurance companies, and little else.

    Pardom me if I have nothing but contempt for cops, but I have seriously been in a situation where I (as a pizza guy) had just been robbed, was still bleeding, and the cop hassled me for consuming his valuable time with my problems, called me stupid for delivering pizza to that neighborhood, and then gave me a ticket for some some expired sticker. Oh, and made sure to get free pizza from the restaurant.

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    Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.