What may be a hi-tech toy or luxury to one consumer is often a necessity to another. You may have seen some of the newest and coolest spy gadget products around this season. From the Micro Eyes DVR Ball Cam, which is a motion-activated camera and DVR the the size of a ping pong ball, to the Minitrak Pro (aka the world’s smallest GPS vehicle tracking device) there is a must-have James Bond gadget for just about everyone out there who has a need for information and extra reassurance. Can people still afford these items during the economic crunch?In spite of the recession, the sales trends for spy gadgets remain undaunted. In some ways, these tough economic times have actually helped to increase consumer desire for purchasing spy gear and security products:Employers are watching their pennies more closely, and thus monitoring employee habits to safeguard against costly misuse of company time, materials, and vehicles. Key loggers are used to monitor computer activity at the office, GPS devices are used for fleet tracking and company vehicle monitoring.Many consumers are facing financial stress, job loss, and foreclosure due to the failing economy. Financial woes are often a number one contributor to marital and relationship problems. When a marriage is under strain due to decreased financial security, the chance of infidelity often increases. For the person who suspects that his or her spouse may be having an affair, there are a wide variety of spy gadgets available that will determine if your significant other is cheating. There are a large assortment of hidden cameras/DVRs cleverly disguised as common household items, a SIM card reader to extract text messages from cell phones, and even an infidelity kit which can determine if semen stains are present on a garment. All of these items can be utilized to either confirm or disprove suspicions of infidelity, at a fraction of the cost of hiring a private investigator.The last thing any one wants is to become a victim of crime, especially in their own home. Studies show that burglaries increase during the holiday season, and with the unstable economy the occurrence of theft is certainly not likely to lessen. Consumers turn to personal security devices such as tasers and stun guns for protection, as these products are widely available through online spy gear shops. Homes can be protected with do-it-yourself surveillance cameras, providing additional peace of mind. Homeowners can even watch what is going on inside their home while they are on vacation or at work, as long as they have access to a computer and an internet connection.Spy gadget stores in the US and the UK, as well as online, report that sales remain steady during these trying times. Regardless of the economy, people are inquisitive by nature. The need to feel safe and be in the know is always present, and stressful times only feed this need.