Earlier this month, we shared news of an Australian man recovering $6,000 worth of camera gear thanks to an Apple AirTag. However, as we pointed out then, his AirTag was in clear view, and the thief could have, had they anticipated the eventual outcome, ditched the AirTag long before being tracked down. It would be ideal to be able to hide an AirTag, especially as they become more well-known. Camera and computer accessory company Nine Volt has announced the AirCap, a nondescript carbon fiber composite body cap that includes a secret compartment you can use to store an Apple AirTag, ensuring that you can locate your camera if it’s misplaced or stolen without alerting any would-be thieves that it includes a tracker.
Unfortunately, cameras are a popular target for criminals looking to make a quick buck because they’re relatively small and easy to sell. Further, photographers are often found in predictable, high-traffic areas, like popular tourist destinations. You can put an AirTag or other similar product in your bag, but thieves often separate the camera from the rest of the bag or case in short order. But who would remove a camera body cap?
The AirCap is available in six mounts, including the common Canon RF, Sony E and Nikon Z mounts. It’s also available in Fujifilm GFX, PL and Phase One XF mounts. Each AirCap costs $49, regardless of the selected mount. You can purchase AirCap directly from Nine Volt.
If you have one camera, an AirCap and AirTag will cost you around $80. That’s relatively inexpensive for photography accessories, and this purchase might save you a lot of heartache down the road. As we said last time we wrote about stolen camera gear, whether you have an AirTag or not, it’s important to be cautious with your gear and make sure that you have insurance, especially if your camera gear is your livelihood, and keep track of all your gear’s serial numbers in case you need to track down stolen equipment online.