The Binocucom

Lore & Background

The Binocucom was developed by Bentley, the brains of the Cooper Gang, to give Sly and his teammates a tactical edge during heists. It integrates a high-zoom optical lens with a two-way radio, enabling real-time intelligence gathering and coordination. The device is compact and often worn as a headset, leaving the user's hands free for climbing or combat. In the world of Sly Cooper, security systems are increasingly sophisticated, and the Binocucom is the gang's answer to the need for stealthy reconnaissance. It allows Sly to study guard patrol routes, camera blind spots, and environmental hazards from a safe distance. The device's communication function also lets Bentley or Murray provide guidance and warnings during missions. The Binocucom reflects the gang's reliance on brains over brawn, embodying Bentley's genius and the team's cooperative spirit. It is a symbol of their professional approach to thievery, turning every heist into a carefully orchestrated performance.

In Their Own Story

The air was thick with the hum of neon signs as Sly crouched on a rain-slicked gargoyle, peering down at the museum's floodlit courtyard. He adjusted the Binocucom, its lens zooming past the patrolling guards to the skylight above the main gallery. 'Got a visual on the target,' he whispered. Bentley's voice crackled in his ear: 'Copy that. I count three guards on rotation, but there's a blind spot by the east wing. You'll have a ten-second window.' Sly smiled, the device's green display outlining his path. 'Ten seconds is all I need.'

Reader's Guide

The Binocucom is a core piece of equipment in the Sly Cooper series, primarily used for reconnaissance. When activated, it switches the camera to a first-person view with a zoom function, allowing the player to survey the environment from a distance. This is essential for planning stealth approaches, as it reveals guard positions, patrol routes, and interactive objects like switches or vents. In Sly 2: Band of Thieves and subsequent games, the Binocucom also serves as a communication device. During missions, characters such as Bentley will relay information through it, providing hints or alerting the player to changes in the security layout. The device can also be used to mark enemies or points of interest, which are then highlighted on the player's HUD. While the Binocucom has no offensive capabilities, its strategic value is immense. It is often the first tool used in a level, setting the stage for the heist to come. The device is available from the start of most missions and can be toggled on and off freely, making it a constant companion for the player throughout the game.

Did You Know?

• The Binocucom's design is inspired by real-world head-mounted binoculars used by law enforcement and military units.
• In Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves, the Binocucom gains a night vision mode, expanding its utility in dark environments.
• The device's name is a portmanteau of 'binoculars' and 'communicator', reflecting its dual function.
• The Binocucom is one of the few gadgets in the series that is used by multiple characters, including Bentley and Murray in certain missions.