Equipment used during investigations
During the investigation(s) I use an array of paranormal equipment. NOTE: this is NOT a wish list, I do have all of this equipment, and more........
This is a K2 meter...Basically it detects changes in electro-magnetic fields. It is said that spirit uses energy in whatever form in an attempt to manifest itself in this realm (hence during ghost hunts batteries going flat etc..)...This meter will flash when in the presence of electro-magnetic energy, or more specifically, changes in electromagnetic fields..ie...spirit.. Notice the switch on the side of the meter. This makes the meter constantly active. Many people are able to use this 'light on...lights off flashing. to ask specific questions to spirit. If it works like this, then anyone can use this for communication with spirit. We have several versions of EMF meter, but I prefer the K2, it's a personal thing.
This is an infrared (nightvision) DVR (Digital Video Recorder) camera system. I genarally use the cameras (up to 4) on a tripods, or statically placed in one location to record the entire night's acivity..This is linked to a monitor, so that live pictures can be viewed in real time..The camera signal is fed directly to the recorder system and saved directly onto the hard drive on the DVR. Unfortunately, this has to be reviewed frame by frame, in order to see anything that's unusual or paranormal. This takes time, and can be very frustrating, but when something is found, it can be very rewarding.
This is an infrared thermometer guided by a laser pointer. I use this to establish ambient room temperature prior to and during an investigation. The advantage of the laser pointer is that it will focus on specific areas within a room or building. Some say that this is too specific and doesn't actually pick up 'ambient' temperature. To work around this, I usually focus the temperature reading on a piece of cotton wool placed within the room. That way we can establish changes in the 'ambient' temperature by refocussing later on the same point. It is said that the presence of spirit can manifest itself as cold or hot spots.
This is an Olympus DS 55 digital voice recorder. This is used during investigations, fairly obviously to record noises and voices. It's particularly useful to record 'calling out' sessions held during the night. It's always a good idea when recording, to state the time, temperature and the specific location where the recording is being made. In this way, when reviewing it later using headphones or after downloading it onto the pc, it's easy to know exactly where and when it was recorded. Also, it's a good idea to only record bite size clips, as this helps the review process. On occasions it is possible to record voices which were not heard by anyone during the vigil, yet appear on the recording!
This is our ouija or spirit board. This piece of equipment does have something of a 'bad press'. However I have used this successfully for many years with no adverse effects. As you can see, it's no ordinary board. It has it's own light source, so it can be used in total darkness very successfully.
This is an infrared beam barrier alarm. This is used to 'cover' areas in a buiding which are either locked off, or you want to be alerted when the beam is broken. As you see, there are 2 modules. One being the transmitter and the other being the receiver. When placed directly opposite each other some distance apart, an invisible beam is created (both units communicate with each other). If the communication between the 2 units is 'broken', an alarm sounds. This can be an indication of spirit activity. Either that or a clumsy ghosthunter!!!!
You don't need me to tell you this is the trusty, good old digital camera (Panasonic G1). Obviously this is used to capture photographic evidence of spirit (I live in hope). It can however be prone to capturing mistaken orbs, which are in fact dust particles in the air, especially if used in the dark with flash. However, close examination of the pictures will reveal tell tale dust particles from genuine orbs. Of course the ideal would be to capture a full apparition, but this I'm afraid is extremely rare. I still wait in hope!
This is an environmental meter. It will measure ambient temperature (as opposed to focussed temperature as with the laser thermometer mention above). It will measure humidity. Sound levels, and light levels. So is an invaluable tool for the ghosthunter. However it must be emphasised that the data must be recorded at the point of finding, along with the time frame. This can then be correlated with any time indexed film footage or (once again timed) still camera shots, to validate any activity that may be picked up. This is not an easy task to accomplish.
This is an infrared flood lamp. When using infrared cameras, it fills the subject area with infrared light, which is invisible to the naked eye, but when using a video camera it prevents the 'halo' effect which most small cameras are prone to. It's almost like daylight when this is used (when reviewing the footage).
This is the radio shack Franks Box. In a nutshell it's a radio reciever, which will recieve FM or AM radio transmissions. The trick is, with this gadget is that it's got a mode which will constantly 'scan' through all of the radio frequencies without stopping and won't 'lock' onto any particular frequency. The idea is to ask spirit various questions. Remarkably, and sometimes bizarrely, the box will pause briefy and you can make out words in answer to questions asked (if you're lucky). The problem with this gizmo is that the constant scanning noise can drive you nuts after a very short time. But we have had some excellent results with it.
This is a Sony Camcorder, which has built in night vision. This is a great piece of equipment, as it's very portable and saves the film directly onto the built in hard drive built into the camera. This means that downloading is very simple in order to review it on the PC. Ive also invested in a rather large battery, which far surpasses the supplied battery in terms of longevity. This means that you are not limited to the amount of footage you can take, as it seems to last 'forever'
Other Equipment Used
The above is not an exhaustive list of all the gear we use, so here's a few bits and bobs that we use in addition to the items detailed above.
Dowsing rods are always a source of spirit detection, but there is a knack to using them, and each individual has their own way of using them. It's easy to learn, but takes a lifetime to master.
Divining Crystals (or pendulums) are another source of divining. Again these tend to be personal to the owner and everyone has their own way of using them.
A small rubber ball. Yes I know this sounds odd, but particularly when child spirit is around we place this somewhere (prefereably in view of a locked off video camera) and see if spirit can move it.
Live wire and stud detector. This is the gadget that you might get from a DIY shop to enable you to detect live wires in walls and floors. Armed with this piece of equipment, it's easy to eliminate sources of electrical (electro-magnetic) energy, which may confuse the EMF meters we use.
Of course a good torch is an essential piece of equipment, and it's purpose is fairly obvious!
Walkie talkies are another essential piece of equipment, we need to stay in contact.
We also use a small fold-up table for table tipping, which can yield surprising results, and can get very active.
A writing planchette is sometimes used. This is a disk shaped piece of wood mounted on small wheels, through the centre is a spring clamp mounted over a pen sized hole. With a pen inserted onto the hole and positioned correctly, the planchette can be moved in any direction and create writing or pictures asked of spirit. In our experience this has sporadic results ranging from unbelievable, to childish scribbles.
