Ghost Hunting Equipment and Information
Posts tagged Ghost Hunting Equipment
The Importance of Video in Ghost Hunting
Apr 7th
In today’s media heavy world video is among the most important evidence that a paranormal researcher can gather. There are generally several ways to collect video evidence while ghost hunting. Of course there is the more traditional camera method, which has been replaced predominantly with the digital cameras. Many ghost hunters still prefer older film cameras, but I have found that digital cameras work just as well and are becoming increasingly affordable. Not to mention the fact that you can literally store thousands of photos for future research.
Where things really start to get interesting is with motion video evidence. Much like the booming popularity of cameras and spirit photographs in the late 1800s, videos have also exploded in popularity due to sites such as YouTube, and really the Internet in general. I’m sure we have all noticed the increased popularity in ghost hunting, especially within the past five years. Besides the weekly shows such as Ghost Hunters, or Paranormal State there have also been a slew of documentaries that many cable networks have produced and air regularly.
Now it’s important to mention that there are several different methods of collecting video evidence many of which have only recently become affordable enough for amateur ghost hunters to use. The most widely available and ready to use of these is the IR cameras, cleverly disguised as a form of night vision on most brands. The interesting thing about video is the ability with our new technology to see different spectrum of light that until very recently we have not been able to see. One of these is the infrared spectrum which is all around us but we are unable to see with the naked eye. With modern technology we can record video in the infrared spectrum. Some paranormal researchers speculate that ghosts or spirits can be more readily seen in the IR spectrum.
A slightly more expensive luxury is using heat vision cameras to hunt for ghosts, this is based on the theory that spirits have a different heat signature than the environment and can be easily detected.These cameras pick up temperature fluctuations and displays them visually as different colors. You may have seen this method use frequently on the sci-fi channel television show Ghost Hunters where the two lead investigators have captured some of the most compelling evidence the show has offered.
This is the part that really makes sense to me if ghosts are said to be invisible, and we are unable to see them with our naked eye perhaps we are able to see them in a different spectrum of light that our eyes cannot see. This is a very exciting time in the paranormal research field where we are actually able to use this technology on a regular basis in our investigations where as before the technology was much too expensive for the average person.
Be sure to bookmark this site or subscribe to our RSS feed to catch the follow up where we go in to different ways to use video equipment during your ghost hunting investigation.
The Ghost Hunters Toolkit
Mar 19th
So you have a strong desire to go out and explore the paranormal, that’s understandable. Many people who are drawn to this field have a strong drive to explain the unexplainable. Most of us have the healthy dose of skepticism that is needed to approach a field with so many unknowns. Even though all the best intention will get you far, you’re also to need the right tools for the job. Here’s a quick breakdown of the types of equipment used in the paranormal field.
These tools can be broken down in to several categories
- Visual
- Audio
- Scientific
- Traditional
Visual and Audio
The first two seem obvious , we can capture video or picture evidence of paranormal activity by using a range of different cameras tuned to pick up different spectrum’s of light with visual equipment. Audio equipment is also commonly used in an investigation to record both sounds that are heard while investigating such as unexplained footsteps or banging, but also to record disembodied voices called EVPs (we’ll discuss these incredibly creepy phenomena in another post). Think of these as your front line in an investigation, and depending on the number of peices you decide to use you could be spending many hours looking over the evidence gathered using this type of equipment.
Scientific
Scientific equipment is a great example of the innovation that has begun to find its way into the paranormal investigation field. There are many theories as to the physical nature of spirits , and the possibility of quantifiable measurements using scientific methods is something that drives most investigators. The most popular tool in use today would be an EMF (electro magnetic field) meter. A popular theory in the paranormal field is that a ghost will use electromagnetic energy when attempting to manifest itself. A raise in the EMF detected by the equipment can suggest the presence of a ghost.
Traditional
Traditional equipment is probably among the most controversial in the paranormal field because they are not considered scientific in nature. A good example of popular traditional equipment being used in investigations every day are dosing rods. These two L shaped copper rods are held in each hand while allows them to swing freely. The theory is when the two rods cross there may be paranormal activity in the area. Psychics and medium abilities can also be considered tools that can be used in paranormal investigations, while many consider their input valuable it can rarely be presented as evidence.
So now you have a basic overview of the type of ghost hunting equipment we are working with we can start to put together a kit for your needs. In the next few articles we’re going to put together the best equipment that we’ve found to make your own ghost hunting starter kit.
part 2 – Choosing the best ghost hunting audio equipment
A Ghost Hunting Equipment Guide – What You Really Need to Know
Mar 18th
Today I was looking on Ebay to see what they had in the way of the paranormal. Besides the many haunted items, I came across an Ebay item that had me wondering. Do you really need all this stuff for ghost hunting? The item I saw was a silver briefcase with foam inside to keep your equipment from moving around.
Inside the briefcase was a Gauss Master EMF Meter, Electro Sensor EMF Meter, OSUN EMF Meter, Infra Red Motion Detector, Beam Break Alarm, Infra Red Thermometer with Laser Guidance, and Two Aluminum flashlights (With Batteries).
Sounds great to me, but what about the camera, the book on ghost hunting, the recorder for E.V.P.’s, pen, paper, compass, watch, laptop computer, flour, thread, and etc. etc. etc.
Again this sounds great to have, but you really don’t need all this stuff to do a ghost investigation. People can spend a lot of money because they think they have to or because someone told them “Hey you need this stuff or you are not a ghost hunter”. Well let me tell you a secret. You already have most of if not all your ghost hunting equipment with you. Your eyes, ears, nose, and touch. Throw in a flashlight, EMF Detector, and a camera which most people have and you are done. You don’t have to spend big bucks or go to a far away place to do a ghost investigation.
If you are new to the paranormal you and need some ideas on where to start check out how to start ghost hunting. Ghost hunting is still new to a lot of people and because of this no one has the right way to do a ghost investigation or what they will need for a ghost investigation. If there was truly a piece of equipment that worked the best for ghost hunting then trust me anyone and everyone who did ghost investigations would have it. But if you did not already know most ghost hunting equipment was not made to study ghost which means they were built for another purpose and or use. Here are a few examples:
Gauss Master EMF Meter measures AC magnetic fields (EMF) from computers and other appliances like your microwave.
Electro Sensor EMF Meter is used for cellular phone RF radiation measurement as well as an accurate single-axis EMF Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Gauss meter.
Infra Red Thermometer with Laser Guidance is just a thermometer that takes the temperature of an area with a red light that shows you where you are pointing it at.
All this equipment sounds good when you hear it is for ghost hunting, but once you learn and study more about ghost hunting you will learn that the best equipment you have is yourself.
I hope this helps you understand better that ghost hunting should be something fun to do and not something you need to spend a lot of money on. Remember that ghost hunting should be a hobby and not a job.
Picture Yourself Ghost Hunting
Mar 17th
“Picture Yourself Ghost Hunting: Step-by-Step Instruction for Exploring Haunts and Finding Spirits, Spooks, and Specters” introduces novice paranormal explorers to the history, techniques, and equipment used in the search for proof of life after death, or simply, ghosts. Written like a field guide to ghost hunting, the book begins by examining what a ghost is, and isn’t, and presents a brief history of ghosts and the pioneers of the ghost hunting field. You’ll re (more…)
Cellsensor EMF Detection Meter/Ghost Sensor
Mar 16th
So you’re ready to take the plunge and start ghost hunting, but how do you know which equipment to start with?
The foundation of any ghost hunters toolkit is an EMF meter.
We’ve found an extremely affordable EMF meter that performs amazingly well for the low price.
This is the EMF meter I still take with me on all my investigations. I’ve tested it against the more expensive meters with digital displays and it reports the exact same readings every time.
A few reasons why I think you should choose the Cellsensor EMF “Ghost” Meter
- If you have any interest in the paranormal or ghost hunting you know that one of the main tools of any paranormal researcher is an EMF meter. You can use this device to detect variations in the earths natural electro magnetic field. The theory is that the presence of high EMF’s indiciate an increased possibility of paranormal activity.
- Determine if the strange events or feelings that you are experiencing are paranormal in nature, or if they are caused by a man made source. EMF hypersensitivity is when high EMF readings from an electrical source can cause a person to feel uncomfortable, like someone is watching them, it is also not uncommon for EMF hypersensitivity to cause a person to see things that are not there.
- It’s very affordable, currently about $25 w/ free shipping will get it to your door step.
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Perfect for children, kids absolutely go crazy for it when you tell them it’s a ghost detector!
Unconventional Ghost Hunting Equipment – The ElectroStatic Generator
Mar 16th
One of the main theories regarding the manifestation of ghosts is that they draw power from their environment. This can show itself in different ways such as unexplained cold spots or battery drain for example. The common thread is energy, which acts as a catalyst for the spirit to manifest.
An electrostatic generator produces static electricity. Static electricity is a naturally occurring phenomena where electricity is produced at a high voltage and low continuous current. Within the ghost hunting field an electrostatic generator is used as a sort of power source that allow spirits to manifest themselves.
The theory is that when you produce these sparks you are producing energy and charging the nearby air with energy. Sounds simple right ?
I’m Fascinated, what do they look like?
There are several types and methods of electrostatic generators available. for the purposes of ghost hunting they smaller and more portable the better. I have used the hand crank models that besides making really pretty sparks, worked very well.
- The Wimshurst crank style electrostatic generator
When should I use an ElectroStatic generator on an investigation?
The best situation to use this kind of equipment would be when you have identified a location as having a possible Intelligent haunting. Some examples of this would be if there have been reports of full body apparitions, or reports of seeing shadowy figures.It would be a good idea to have video recording any session, as well as audio recording for possible EVP activity.
Still trying to picture what this would look like? Here is a video of a Wimshurst Machine crank style generator
[youtube -iACqjSSINA]
If you have any experience with using an electrostatic generator for ghost hunting leave a comment and share.
Follow the link for more information on the Wimshurst Machine Electrostatic Generator
How to Use an EMF Meter for Ghost Hunting
Jan 24th
The EMF meter is easily one of the most popular pieces of ghost hunting equipment available today. The main theory behind it is that spirits will give off an electro-magnetic field due to the fact that they are using energy in the atmosphere to manifest themselves.
This energy can come from a number of different
places such as electric equipment and batteries for example. Battery drain is a very common phenomena in the paranormal field. Many people who are on a ghost hunt will also experience a tingling over their body or a sudden lack of energy that can correspond with high EMF levels.
It’s important to note that there is quite a bit of crticism over the use of EMF meters for ghost hunting. Particularly from those that state there are too many sources that can produce a high EMF reading. This is why it’s very important to take baseline readings of any location you are investigating.
Take Baseline Readings
A baseline reading includes going through the entire location room by room and measuring the average (or baseline) EMF level. Make a note of any electrical equpment such as fuse boxes, televisions, monitors and stereos that may put off high EMF levels. This will allow you to easily determine if the EMF fluxutation you’re experiencing is truly paranormal.
Record all baseline levels in a notebook. you should also document any changes or spikes that you encounter throughout the evening.
Smooth and Slow Motion
The most effective way to measure the EMF level in any given location is through slow and smooth movement. There is a slight delay as the emf meter reads the field and reports the detected level. Try and avoid moving the emf meter quickly or in a jerky motion to get the most accurate readings possible.
Look for Alternate Explanations
While it may be easy to get excited when you get a spike the in the EMF level, it’s important to know that often times this can be explained by natural causes. Try and slowly follow the field and check all areas of the room low and high for any source of the high EMF reading. If you’re unable to find an alternate explanation then record the event with the exact time and location.
Time stamps for unusual EMF levels are very important as they allow you to cross reference with video and audio evidence.
The main theory of high EMF levels is that they occur when ghosts are manifesting themselves,. This is a perfect time to have an EVP sessions and try an make contact if there are any spirits present.
While and EMF meter should not be relied upon as a primary piece of evidence for a haunting, it is a great tool that you can use to support your investigation. Every ghost hunter should have an EMF meter, and luckily you don’t have to spend a fortune to get started.
Battery Drain Is A Drag
Jun 14th
Ghost Hunting Tips
Making sure your have spare batteries during a paranormal investigation is an incredibly important detail you do not want to overlook. One reason in particular for this is the phenomena known as battery drain. One of the predominant theories behind this is that spirits that attempt to manifest themselves draw energy from there surroundings.
This includes batteries for your ghost hunting equipment. It is not uncommon, and I have experienced this personally, that a digital camera reporting a fully charged battery will suddenly die leaving you scratching your head.
Remember, battery drain is a drag! So for the sake of either having to leave your investigation to buy more batteries, or having to stop it all together bring enough batteries to feed both the ghosts and your gear!
Choosing the Best Ghost Hunting Audio Equipment
Apr 14th
This is a continuation of the ghost hunting toolkit
Thanks for checking back in on our series of posts for building a ghost hunters toolkit. In our last we went through a brief overview of different types of equipment that are available for ghost hunters to use in an investigation. This time we’re going to look a bit closer at what we would consider the ears of your ghost hunting toolkit, the audio equipment.
The holy grail for audio evidence is what is called an EVP , or electronic voice phenomena. These are for some easily the most captivating pieces of evidence that are presented in modern ghost hunting.
I will have a dedicated section to EVPs soon, including some that we here have personally caught on our investigations. In the mean time, here is a link to some example EVPS offered on the AAEVP (American Association of Electronic Voice Phenomena) website.
Creative Commons License photo credit: lazha
There are two schools of thought when it comes to which type of audio recorder to choose.Your choices are digital or analog. Until recently the hand held analog tape recorder was the standard technology used in paranormal research. There are several setbacks when using this type of technology however. The most obvious is that the tapes themselves only had a limited amount of recording time on them. This would require investigators to carry and label multiple tapes during an investigation. Another setback came after the investigation when reviewing the evidence you would not be able to skip around to any point on the recording , instead having to fast forward or rewind.
With the rise in digital audio the convenience factor for us ghost hunters has gone way up. Not only is the record time capacity increased dramatically with memory cards, but analyzing the evidence is easier than ever. Using free ghost hunting audio software available to anyone we can easily clean up recordings, and isolate EVPs with expert precision. We’ll go over different methods that are used during the post investigation phase in future posts.
The good thing about both options is that you don’t have to compromise quality to get a decent piece of equipment. For the sake of the novice ghost hunter we you get a good entry level recorder.
Audio Equipment
| Recommended | ||
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Olympus Pearlcorder S701 Microcassette Recorder (S701ACC) | Despite the fact we recommend digital recorders for your EVP work, many paranormal researchers will simultaneously record EVP sessions in both digital and analog as a way to cross reference when a disembodied voice is heard. Hand recorders such as this one are very reasonably priced and use standard microcassettes that are readily available. Find more microcassette recorders here |
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Olympus VN-4100PC Digital Voice Recorder | Digital recorders like this one offer excellent indexing abilities while you’re on your investigation. You’ll be able to mark areas of interest for later research, as well as split up the recordings to multiple files for easy transferring. The equipment I’m showing you here are based on personal experience using these brands and other reviews I’ve read. You can always search for more digital recorders for ghost hunting |
we’ll take a look at some video equipment in our next post, feel free to share some audio equipment you recommend in the comments
The Best Ghost Hunting Audio Software
Jan 1st
In the paranormal investigation field audio evidence is among the most compelling presented. It is also a long and painstaking process that every ghost hunter must undertake. Fortunately technology in the past decade has made the finding of EVP’s much easier. With digital audio recorders becoming more affordable than their micro-cassette predecessors ghost hunters are able to store audio at a better quality more easily. One way we can deal with all this audio is using good audio software for your PC or MAC.
You don’t have to worry about spending a fortune on this since some of the best audio editing software is available free and open source. This means you are free to use, distribute, and even alter the software if you’re so technically inclined.
Here are some of the best programs available for analyzing EVP’s
| Audacity | Description |
|---|---|
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Audacity is a free audio editing and recording program that is available for Windows, Mac, and also Linux. When you load your file into audacity it creates a waveform that allows you to easily view the whole recording visually. I use this to target certain areas of the recording with visible spikes for potential EVP’s. There are also a bunch of built in tools that allow you to amplify,enhance, and clean up your recordings. This is an invaluable tool for ghost hunters looking to catch an EVP. |
| Available forWindows XP/Vista 32/64 bit
Mac OS X Linux 32/64 bit |
 Audacity Homepage Download Audacity |
| Wavosaur | Description |
|---|---|
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Wavosaur is another free audio editing and recording program that is available for only for Windows. Very similar in features to audacity his program allows you full control over viewing and editing your sound files. One feature ghost hunting groups will enjoy is the ability to skin the user interface, that means you can create a custom branded copy of wavosaur for use within your group. This can help add to the professionalism you display, and the reputation of your group. The built in plugins are not as robust as audacity, but it does add support for VST plugins as well as ASIO support. The best part of course is the price, it’s free! |
| Available forWindows XP/Vista | Wavosaur Homepage Download Wavosaur |
| Power Sound Editor | Description |
|---|---|
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Here is an audio editor that comes highly recommended. I have not personally used this program but the feature list and feedback make it seem like the ideal program for basic editing. This Free Sound Editor allows you to visually edit an audio file (Delete, Cut, Copy, Paste, Paste From File, Mix, Mix From File) and apply different effects (Amplify, Delay, Equalizer, Fade, Flanger, Invert, Normalize, Reverse, MultiTapDelay, Silence, Stretch, Vibrato, Echo, Chorus). |
| Available forWindows 98/ME/XP/Vista | Power Sound Editor Homepage Download Power Sound Editor |
