Paranormal Equipment
Basic Equipment-
* Digital Camera – Regardless of what you’ve heard, digital cameras are great tools for ghost researchers. Once upon a time they had their limitations and problems, but that is no longer the case. Now you are also getting cameras that are modified to see in the Infrared spectrum of light or Full Spectrum cameras that can see in the Ultraviolet, Visible and Infrared spectrums of light at the same time! When using a digital camera, always use the USB Chip to put your documentation on so your investigation research may easily be downloaded onto a computer.
* Digital Voice Recorder – digital voice recorders are with out a doubt one of the most important pieces of equipment that you should have in you investigators toolbox. Audio recorders are used for many different purposes throughout an investigation. Recorders are used for interviews, spontaneous thoughts, your notes and electronic voice phenomena (EVP). An amazing Digital Voice Recorder reasonably priced with incredible quality is the OLYMPUS VN-8100PC and it comes with a USB cord to download your files onto your computer.
When using audio recorders be sure to state the location, time of investigation, and investigators names. When recording investigators names it would be wise to have each individual present state their own names, which will make it easier for distinction amongst voices heard on the tape during review. Voice activation mode should be deactivated during use when electronic voice phenomena is trying to be achieved due to the fact that it usually cuts off beginnings of words, sentences, and phrases. Also, when recording and you are walking, verbally say into the recorder, “walking… walking… walking…” so the sounds of you walking are identified as your footsteps and not something paranormal. The same goes for moving something or bumping into something.
* Round Lightweight Ball – a plastic lightweight beach ball or a ball about the size of a beach ball that can be placed in a room, especially a room where children have been known to haunt, may get you results. You can either stay in the room and encourage the spirit to move the ball or you can leave the room all the while recording video displaying the room and ball. Either way, you have an excellent and inexpensive piece of ghost hunting equipment.
* Flashlight, small plastic w/ lots of spare batteries – a common sense item. Remember to bring spare batteries for everything. Due to spirit activity, batteries often run down very fast and you don’t want to miss anything because of dead batteries. This flashlight should be plastic and of average length with a screw type cap that comes open at the top lense. It is recommended using a red lensed flashlight, in addition to a normal plastic small flashlight, during your actual night time investigation to help preserve your night vision. This flashlight is for your ability to get around in the dark during your investigation. The flashlight is again listed under Advanced, in the section below.
* A Compass – it’s a useful instrument to an investigator due to its compact size and low cost price. When used on an investigation, this will indicate spirit presence when the needle cannot come to a precise heading or spins/moves erratically. This works on the same principle as an EMF meter.
* First aid kit – just in case, it’s very easy to trip in the dark and get cut.
* Notebook w/ pens and pencils- you need to write and log in everything that happens. If you don’t then you really don’t have much research information. An example of this is one investigator gets an EMF reading that’s high and never writes it down. Another investigator takes a picture of the same area, but is not aware of the reading and gets an anomalous image. Without that EMF reading the picture may be good evidence, but with a report noting the reading, the picture greatly increases in evidence value. Many investigators use a pocket recorder instead and that is fine, just make sure you have spare batteries and recorder chips.
* Jackets or weather appropriate clothes – if you are cold you are not at your best and your observation skill could suffer, pretty common sense.
* Watch – so you can log in the times of events and your arrival and departure.
* Laser Grid Pen – A simple laser pointer that when the tips are changed illuminate a grid of circles or squares covering a wide area. You’ll want to look for any paranormal movement that breaks the laser grid. Also, you will need a device made of your own construction to keep the ‘ON’ button depressed on your laser pen since laser pens are made for presentation purposes and not paranormal research.
* Trigger objects – If you are investigating a location where deceased children are known to be, you may wish to include toys as a trigger object to get a reaction from the ghosts. Investigating a civil war site and you may want to use civil war swords as a trigger object, and so forth.
* Cellular phone – if you have one it can come in handy in case of an emergency. Also, be sure to shut your cell phone off during your investigation. If you must leave your cell phone on then you must have ALL sound and vibration settings turned to off on your cell phone.
Advanced Equipment-
* Video camera (optional tripod) – Video cameras are an important instrument for an investigation. Unlike still cameras they provide us with constant visual and audio surveillance for review and observation. The best video cameras to use are equipped with infrared capability and this is the mode you want use. With video, any phenomena occurring can be documented in its entirety. This will show the length of time the phenomena occurs, what is happening, the conditions surrounding the phenomena, and possibly even the cause of the phenomena. The Sony line of camcorders has an infrared night shot feature that enables you to video tape in complete darkness and see beyond what the human eye can see. You can use these on tripods or walk around with them. You should also invest in an infrared light extender which will help your camera see in the darkest places and make the quality of the video better.
* EMF Detector – The Electromagnetic Field Detector, also known as an EMF, is the modern day ghost researcher’s tracking device, a very important piece of equipment. With this instrument it is possible to locate and track energy sources. It will detect fluctuations in electromagnetic fields and low strength moving EMF fields that have no source. It is a common theory that spirits disrupt this field in such a way that you can tell one is present by higher than normal readings with this meter. BEFORE using the EMF as a ghost research tool on an investigation, be sure to walk around the area and take initial readings around energy sources such as light poles or electrical outlets to be sure of the readings you receive while scanning the area during the investigation. Most units when purchased come with a manual describing most household and major appliances and their corresponding electromagnetic reading. When using the EMF as a tracking device look for fluctuations of 2.0 to 7.0, this usually indicates spirit presence. Anything higher or lower is normally a natural source.
Also EMF meters can give you false positive readings when you are near some objects which are listed directly below. Some of these things generate EM fields that surround the object and are a few feet thick so you do not have to be right on top of it to get a reading. Even a 2 – 7 milligauss reading can be given off by something natural so try to trace out a source. This is essential indoors. The following can give you false readings:
Computers
Clock Radio/digital alarm clocks
Microwaves
Electrical outlets
Electrical lines in walls, floors and ceilings
Lamps
Refrigerators
Some pipes, copper
Ballasts in fluorescent lights, even if light is off
Batteries – regular and rechargeable
Telephone lines
Power lines
Very high solar activity
People (the Trifield set on “SUM” can pick up people)
* Motion Detectors – these can be used to sense movements by often unseen forces or spirits. You can get battery operated ones for about 20 dollars and they are great for inside, but I have seen them used successfully outdoors as well, just watch the placement. You don’t want a tree branch setting it off.
* Thermometers – Thermometers are an instrument that is also very useful. There are two types used regularly: digital thermometers and infrared non contact thermometers. When used on an investigation this will aid as a detection system for spirit presence. Rapid temperature drop of 10 degrees of more could indicate spirit presence. It is recommended using the infrared non contact thermometers because they react in less than a second to a temperature drop and you can scan a large area quickly.
* Hand Held Walkie Talkies- Walkie Talkies very useful in large outdoor areas and inside a building with groups spread out in various rooms. They could be great in emergency situations or just to rotate groups. Be sure to be aware as they could interfere with your EVP recordings.
* P-SB7 Spirit Box – The P-SB7 is the first production built Spirit Box designed exclusively for Paranormal enthusiasts. The P-SB7 made its premier debut on Ghost Adventures “LIVE” show from the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum on October 30, 2009. From the moment it was turned ON, The P-SB7 provided “real time” responses to questions over a 40 minute segment of the show. When used by a properly trained individual, under certain circumstances, the P-SB7 will provide results similar that of an EVP recorder, but in real time.
The P-SB7 utilizes a milli-second adjustable Forward or Reverse frequency “sweep” technique coupled with a proprietary high frequency synthetic noise or “white noise” distributed between frequency steps. There are two discreet audio outputs; (1) 15mW Earphone, and (1) 250mW Speaker. A bright back light display with manual ON/OFF select is ideal for viewing in the dark. The P-SB7 uses three “AAA” batteries. The P-SB7 is intended to be used by professional investigators to help promote the field of Paranormal ITC Research.
* P-SB11 Dual Frequency Sweep Paranormal Spirit EVP Ghost Box – The P-SB11 Spirit Box is the latest Spirit Box device. Results from paranormal enthusiasts proved to be encouraging. The P-SB11 features user selectable single and dual AM/FM Sweep capabilities, Adjustable Sweep Rates, Forward / Reverse Sweep, Dual Audio Outputs, Selectable AM/FM Antenna Attenuation, Built in high intensity Red LED Flashlight, Audio Mute while Sweeping, Adjustable volume, Visual & Audible Hot & Cold Spot Detection with selectable Sound. Single or Dual Simultaneous Sweep; AM/FM Selectability; Adjustable Sweep Speeds – 50msec through 350msec in 50msec increments; Forward and Reverse Sweep Directions; Adjustable Antenna Signal Attenuation; Ambient Temperature Deviation Detection (ATDD) Hot & Cold Spot Detection with Red / Blue LED Array; High Intensity RED LED Flashlight; Dual Simultaneous Audio Outputs; Expandability & Upgrade Compatibility.