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One popular element of the James Bond franchise is the exotic equipment and vehicles he is assigned on his missions, which often prove to be critically useful.
The original books and early adaptations had only relatively minimal pieces like the modified attache case in From Russia with Love. However, the gadgets took on a more spectacular profile in the film version of Goldfinger and its tremendous success encouraged the following films to have Bond supplied still more equipment. For instance, it became an expected scene in each film where Q would present and demonstrate Bond's assigned tools for the mission, and it was a near guarantee that each and every piece would be invaluable to Bond in the field.
Fans eventually complained that the use of gadgets became excessive in the Roger Moore films, particularly in Moonraker, and subsequent productions struggled to find a balance in which gadgets could have a place without giving the impression that the character unduly depended on them or stories that arbritraily included situations exactly fit the use of the gadgets assigned.
This article concerns the gadgets James Bond typically carried on his person, along with additional gadgets used by others. For his gadget vehicles, see List of James Bond vehicles.
Dr. No
- Walther PPK - Technically the only notable "gadget" in the entire film is when M and Major Boothroyd (Q) force Bond to trade in his Beretta for the new standard issue, the Walther PPK. Bond has since used a Walther PPK in every movie up to Tomorrow Never Dies, in which he takes a Walther P99 from a Chinese safehouse.
- Geiger counter - Bond has to request one from Britain before using it to determine the radioactivity of Crab Key, suggesting they were uncommon.
- Luminous watch - Bond has a watch with a luminous, slightly radioactive (!) face that glows in the dark. This is a holdover from Fleming's novels, in which Bond is described as having a similar watch which, for the time, was rather uncommon.
From Russia With Love
- Briefcase - This is Bond's first real film gadget. This briefcase given to Bond by Q-Branch contains a folding sniper rifle inside while ammunition, a knife, fifty gold sovereigns are contained in secret compartments accessible on the outside of the case. In addition, there is a safety mechanism that will detonate a gas bomb in the briefcase if opened improperly. This case is almost identical to the one described in Fleming's novel except the book added a cyanide capsule which Bond was to use to commit suicide upon capture (Bond immediately flushes it down a toilet).
- Pager - Even though From Russia With Love was made in the 60's and before one of these was actually invented, Bond had one to notify him if he ever needed to contact MI6. It is worth noting that Bond also had a phone installed in his car as well.
- Bug detector - A small device that is designed to detect the presence of a phone tap device in a regular telephone when placed against such a device.
- Tape recorder camera - A small reel-to-reel tape recorder hidden within a camera use to interrogate Tatiana.
Goldfinger
- Homing beacon - Bond is given two homing beacons from Q-branch. The first is larger and used when Bond tracks the villain, Auric Goldfinger, to his base. The second is smaller and allows MI6 to know where Bond is. He hides it in a secret compartment in the heel of his shoe.
Thunderball
- Homer Pill - When Bond takes this pill it emits a signal that can be seen only by a certain receiver.
- Rebreather - A small device that can be carried on the person without notice and when in use, is held in the mouth to provide a few minutes of air in emergencies or when the user has to go underwater.
- Jet pack - Used to propel Bond into the air when escaping after killing Col. Bouviar.
- Missile-firing scuba tank - During the final undersea battle, Bond is equipped with a bulky scuba tank that not only propels him through the water faster than anyone can swim, it also shoots small missiles.
You Only Live Twice
- Shooting Cigarette - Tiger gives Bond a cigarette capable of shooting a jet powered projectile accurately up to 30 yards. Used in Blofeld's volcano to kill a technician standing by the entrance controls to enable his allies to storm the base.
- Safecracker - A small device that can easily be carried in a jacket pocket and works by attaching it to a safe the operator wants to open. With it properly positioned, the user needs only to turn the combination dial and the device would light up a series of lights as each correct number on the combination dial is found until the entire series is revealed to open the safe. However, Bond finds out the hard way that gadget is not designed to defeat a safe's other security functions, such as alarms.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
- Radioactive Lint - In the beginning of the movie, Q is showing M a homing device made out of regular lint. "Placed in an opponent's pocket, the location fix and anti-personnel uses should be obvious." M is more concerned with locating Bond, who is nowhere to be found.
- Safecracker - A small (for its time) device that consists of a flexible cable ending in a grapple that is meant to be fitted on a typical safe combination lock. The machine would then examine the lock, figure out its combination and open the safe. In addtion, the device has a photocopier function that could allow for easy copying of secret documents to minimize the chance of the owner learning of the break in by missing the documents.
Diamonds Are Forever
- Fake Fingerprint - Bond uses a fake fingerprint that clings to his thumb to trick Tiffany Case into believing he is Peter Franks.
- Slot Machine Ring - Q created a ring that, when used, ensures a jackpot at the slot machines every time.
- Grappling suspenders - When Bond rides ontop of the elevator to the suite of Willard Whyte he uses for the last leg of this trip the rappelling cord built into the suspenders. (A similar gadget is the belt used in GoldenEye.)
Live and Let Die
- Magnetic Watch - Given to Bond by M when turned on it could snag any light weight metallic item. In theory, Bond claims it can even deflect a bullet. It also has a saw built into it.
- Bug Sweeper - Bond uses a handheld device that can sweep a room for electronic microphones. It can also be used to transmit messages in morse code.
- CO2 gun - Fires special pellets that expel highly-pressurized air to make the target explode. Designed for combating sharks, but Bond is able to activate a pellet manually before forcing Kananga to swallow it.
- Aftershave flamethrower - One of the few gadgets ever improvised by Bond in the field, this was created by Bond spraying an aerosol can of aftershave past the lit end of his cigar in order to kill a poisonous snake.
- Espresso machine - Not a traditional gadget per se, but Bond has one in his flat. M's reaction to the device suggests that, in 1973, they were somewhat uncommon for home use.
- The 'Felix Lighter' - Radio transmitter/receiver disguised as a car cigarette lighter installed in a CIA vehicle, which Bond uses to contact his friend, Felix Leiter.
- Sideview mirror dart gun - Installed in one of Kananga's sedans, this gun is used to kill Bond's driver upon his arrival in New York City.
The Man with the Golden Gun
- The Golden Gun - Scaramanga's weapon of choice, it could fire a 4.2 caliber golden bullet specially made for the gun. The gun also separated into a gold cigarette lighter, a gold cigarette case, a gold cuff link, and a gold pen as to evade security.
- Prosthetic nipple - Bond confesses that it's "a bit kinky" but he gets Q to create a false third nipple so that Bond can impersonate Scaramanga, who has the same physical anomaly. Bond, however, places the nipple in the wrong location and this might contribute to his cover being blown.
The Spy Who Loved Me
- XXX's Cigarette - The cigarette used by Soviet agent Triple X, could unleash a knockout blow when lit.
- Ski Pole/Gun: One of Bond's ski poles can fire bullets. He uses it to kill Triple X's boyfriend while escaping from him in the pre-credits sequence.
- Seiko Quartz watch - Basically working like a pager, it had a built-in telex that allowed MI6 to send important messages to Bond, printing them out like a miniature teletype. (It actually looked more like a labelmaker tape.)
Moonraker
- 007 Camera - A mini camera imprinted with Bond's 00 number.
- Moonraker Laser - A laser gun that can be shot in space. The gun is also used in the video game, GoldenEye 007. A version of this gun is shown being tested to somewhat gruesome effect on a wax dummy during Bond's visit to the MI6 monastery.
- Watch - Bond's watch, branded by Seiko, can open up for a small explosive charge connected to a wire, allowing for the quick removal of an entry obstacle.
- Wrist Gun - capable of firing either armor-piercing or poison-tipped darts; fired by flexing the wrist. Bond uses this to disable a G-Force simulator set to kill him, and later to kill Drax.
- CIA Agent Holly Goodhead carries a number of gadgets of her own, including a perfume bottle that doubles as a flamethrower, a pen with a poison needle, and a transmitter hidden in her purse.
For Your Eyes Only
- ATAC - Automatic Targeting Attack Communicator, the ATAC was lost when the British spy ship St. Georges was sunk. Later recovered by Bond, who at the end destroys it to prevent it from falling into enemy hands.
Octopussy
- Pen - Given to Bond by Q-Branch this pen contains acid inside that can burn through any metal.
- Watch - Another gift from Q-Branch, this watch branded by Seiko, comes with a beacon that leads Bond to a Fabergé egg.
A View To A Kill
- Camera Ring - Bond wears a ring given to him by Q-Branch that acts as a camera.
The Living Daylights
- Keychain - Bond's keychain designed by Q-Branch could be used as an explosive device that used a wolf whistle to activate the detonation function. It also could deploy stun gas and be used to "open 90% of the worlds locks".
- Ghetto Blaster - While never used by James Bond, we see this gadget tested in Q-Branch. The ghetto blaster is an 1980s stereo that can fire a rocket.
- Revolving Sofa - Q is also testing a sofa that swallows whoever sits on it.
Licence to Kill
- Dentonite Toothpaste - Plastic explosives disguised as ordinary toothpaste. The receiver that picks up the signal from Bond to blow the explosives is disguised as a packet of cigarettes.
- Signature Camera Gun - A camera that when put together became a sniper rifle that only worked for Bond, due to a scanner built into the grip.
- Laser Polaroid Camera - When the flash is used on this camera, it shoots a laser. The pictures it takes are X-rayed.
- Exploding Alarm Clock - Q carries it with him to Isthmus, but it is not used. Guaranteed never to wake up anyone who uses it.
GoldenEye
- Grappling Belt - Q gives Bond a size 34 belt that contains a 75-foot rappelling cord built into the buckle. When fired it shoots a grapple followed by a high tensile wire designed to support Bond's weight.
- Explosive Pen - Q-Branch gives Bond a pen that doubles as a class-4 grenade. Three clicks arms the four second fuse, another three disarms it.
- Omega Watch - This watch, standard issue of MI6, has a built in laser and can remotely detonate mines.
- Grapple and Laser Gun - In the intro sequence Bond bungee-jumps off of a dam. To ensure he doesn't bounce back up he uses this gun to latch on to the complex below using its grapple function. Once down, Bond uses the laser built inside the gun to infiltrate the venting system that leads into the bathroom.
- X-Ray Document Scanner - Q has a document scanner disguised as a tea-tray.
- Phone Booth Trap - Q Branch is testing a BT telephone box with a large airbag inside which expands, crushing anyone inside against the wall of the box.
Tomorrow Never Dies
- Ericsson Mobile Phone - The mobile phone had a variety of uses including a stun gun, a fingerprint scanner, and when opened fully had a built in LCD screen that allowed Bond to control his BMW 750i remotely and see where his car is going.
- Omega watch - Taken by Bond from a Chinese safehouse, it was later used to remotely destroy a glass jar that had a grenade lodged inside.
- Walther P99 - A gun taken by Bond from the same Chinese safehouse. It replaced Bond's Walther PPK. Since Tomorrow Never Dies Bond has used the P99.
- Cigarette lighter - In the teaser sequence of the film, Bond has a cigarette lighter that doubles as a grenade at the flick of a switch. Bond uses the grenade as a diversionary tactic.
The World is Not Enough
- Omega Watch - Bond's watch has the ability to shoot a grappling hook that can allow him to climb to new heights.
- Protective Jacket - Q gives Bond a jacket, that when deployed encloses Bond and potentially another person inside a ball. This feature appears to be based on the Zorb.
Die Another Day
- Glass Shattering Ring - This ring, given to Bond by Q-Branch, emits a high pitch sound that shatters any nearby glass.
- Surf Board - 007's board holds a secret compartment carrying useful objects such as C4 explosive and a transmitter which disables nearby security.
This film features a scene in which Bond visits Q's archives where many gadgets from past Bond films are on display including:
- Shoe with poison tipped knife — From Russia With Love
- Jet Pack — Thunderball
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