What does this do?

December 3, 2006 2:58 AM

Does anyone know what this is? I found it on the ground in a casino. It is just under 1" long and .5" in diameter. It is powered by a single G3-A CNB Micro Cell battery. The battery is usually used in laser pointers and probably LED device. This thing does not emit any light, but the battery might be dead. The only moving part is the clip. More photos here, here, and here.
posted by HSWilson to technology (9 comments total)

Are you sure it doesn't emit any light? Some high-foot-traffic locations give security personnel infra-red "beacons" (example) which make them easy to identify on security cameras. The part at the "top" looks like some sort of clip to attach it to a shirt pocket or belt loop.

Hold it up to a cameraphone and see if you get anything - most cameraphones don't filter infrared effectively and you should be able to see it light up or flash if it is emitting.
posted by alby at 3:36 AM on December 3, 2006

Looks like a clip-on earring to me. It probably used to do that blinky-light thing that's so popular with the kids these days.
posted by stefanie at 4:09 AM on December 3, 2006

I second stefanie's comment. I've seen these for sale all over the place - pretty much all they do is flash obnoxiously in various colors. I don't think it'd feel very good as an earring, but you can clip it onto your shirt or whatever.

If there are any street vendors near the casino selling flashy/noisy novelty products, that might even be where your mystery person bought it.
posted by dihutenosa at 4:28 AM on December 3, 2006

That looks exactly like the flashing Magnetix but with a clip added to it. I have been sitting here for 20 minutes trying to find an image of one on Google when I could have just photographed my son's. You'll just have to take my word for it. :)

If it blinks as annoyingly as the Magnetix, it's a good thing the battery is dead.
posted by forensicphd at 5:23 AM on December 3, 2006

Could also be an attempt at flashing a slot machine. Most machines have an optical coin counter that sees the coins as they come out for a payoff. Rumor has it if you interrupt the beam you can get a greater (illegal) payoff.
posted by Gungho at 6:18 AM on December 3, 2006

Definitely a blinky light. Most convenience stores sell them around here. And here's a link with animated gif.
posted by FreezBoy at 7:04 AM on December 3, 2006

it's definitely a clip on LED blinky earring. classy.
(not nearly as cool as a homing device or personal beacon, boo.)
posted by twistofrhyme at 8:42 AM on December 3, 2006

I found one of these in the street a few years ago, and a friend identified it as a TireFly. I think the repurposing as earrings is new.
posted by ikkyu2 at 9:04 AM on December 3, 2006

As much as I wish it were something cool like alby suggested, I'm afraid it looks just like the earring photos. Guess I'll have to settle for mundane and tacky. Thanks everyone.
posted by HSWilson at 11:35 AM on December 3, 2006