These LightSpeed binoculars were designed mainly for military use and they’re capable of transmitting “untappable” voice and video signals to another set of binoculars using infrared. The LightSpeed system exploits free-space optics, which is the ability to pass data between two points using an optical beam. The method usually involves lasers, but this system uses eye-safe infrared LEDs, similar to those found in TV remotes.

According to Leo Volfson, president of Torrey Pines Logic, which created LightSpeed: “The binocular has an attachment that fits over the ocular side,” Volfson says. “It produces a beam that comes out of the right eye of the binocular. On the left side is a receiver. If you look at me and I look at you, we’ll be able to talk or send information.”

Range is determined by the strength of the optics. And unlike radio-waves, data transfer through the LED beams is undetectable. There’s no word what the price on these might be, but Volfson sees potential outside of the military. Yeah, like one peeping Tom sending some video of his catch to another, with audio like “Horn-dog to doghouse. I have found a kitty cat. Repeat. I have found a kitty cat. Over.”

[Popular Mechanics]