click image to enlarge click image to enlarge click image to enlarge click image to enlarge click image to enlarge Basic Equipment Digital Voice Recorders Flashlight Notebook w/pen First Aid Kit Watch Weather appropriate clothes   Advanced Equipment Video Camera HI8 or Mini DV EMF Detectors Lensatic Compass Digital Thermometers Motion detectors Hand Held radio's Cell Phone ( for emergencies) Candles and matches Thermal Scanner (FLIR camera) Night Vision Scope or Camera Software we use: Cool Edit Pro (Adobe Audition)...Is probably the best software for cleaning up E.V.P.'s Currently this is the software that we use.  Uses are numerous... • Create your own music • Record and mix a project • Produce a radio spot • Clean up audio for a movie • Compile and edit a soundtrack http://www.adobe.com  $349.99 Audacity...Another excellent software program we use. • New 'Mix and Render to New Track' command. • Support for VAMP audio analysis plug-ins. • More keyboard shortcuts and navigation. • Reworked solo/mute handling. • New preference: Select all audio in project, if none selected (on by default). • New preference: Beep on completion of longer activities. • Envelopes: Many fixes when copying, pasting, or repeating. • Many translation updates. • Metadata import improved. • Muted tracks are no longer audible in the exported mix. • Improvements to latency correction. http://audacity.sourceforge.net/     Free GoldWave...Many features come with this editing program...The look is a little generic, but well worth the free trial. • Play, edit, mix, and analyze audio • Record audio from cassettes, vinyl records, radio, etc. through your computer's line-in • Record dictation through a microphone or play dictation back at a slower speed for transcription (with foot pedal control) • Record and edit audio for podcasting or telephone systems • Apply special effects, such as fade, equalizer, doppler, mechanize, echo, reverse, flanger, and more • Digitally remaster and restore old recordings with noise reduction and pop/click filters • Make perfect digital copies of audio CD tracks using the CD creator tool and save them in wav, wma, mp3, or ogg files • Edit music for dance programs, figure skating, gymnastics • Analyze human speech, bird song, whale song • Demonstrate digital signal processing with filter effects and the Expression Evaluation tool. • View a variety of useful real-time visuals and level meters • Convert files to/from different formats, such as wav, wma, mp3, ogg, aiff, au, vox and even raw binary data • Expand functionality with plug-ins • Command line processing http://www.goldwave.com/  $45.00   Free trial Digital Cameras 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.  You get to see instantly if you have a positive photo.  Some models can also take photos in limited infrared and ultraviolet ranges of light. Digital Voice Recorders This recorder is small and easy to carry.  You can also use the voice activation feature so there is less audio to review.    We use this for notes as well. Most units record the time of the recording as well which is very useful.  Some models are also capable of "active listening," meaning you can listen through headphones as you record.  When using audio recorders be sure to state the location, time of day, and who else is present.  We have several recorders and they actually seem to work better in voice activation mode. E.M.F. (electro-magnetic field) Detectors The Electromagnetic Field Detector, also known as an EMF, is the modern day ghost researcher's main tool 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. Digital Thermometers There are two types used regular digital thermometers and infrared non contact thermometers.  This will aid as a detection system for spirits.  When used on an investigation, rapid temperature drops of 10 degrees of more could indicate spirit presence.  We recommend 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 Mel-8704 (MEL Meter) The Mel Meter Model 8704 is an Intelligent microprocessor based instrument specifically designed for Paranormal Investigators & Enthusiasts. Several Important features have been incorporated into this durable, precision hand held instrument. All of them accessible with the meter being held in on hand. Measures EMF & Temperature "Cold Spots" Simultaneously - the Mel Meter is the only Instrument that can do this. During their Investigations, an Investigator will often encounter an EMF change which is usually followed by a significant Temperature drop. Now, imagine being able to validate both changes simultaneously, and be able to track the source in real time with one hand in total darkness! No more fumbling for a flashlight to see the display in the dark. We have 1 for the team and several members have their own. KII Meters Indicating electromagnetic energy. As there is an increase in the energy, the needle will move to the right, indicating the higher levels. The K2 meter uses lights to indicate the energy instead of a needle, flashing and then finally staying light at the level found with the meter. Using the K2 With Spirits The K2 meter was tested by Chris Fleming, the Biography channel. He wanted to use the K2 meter in conjunction with information he was said to be picking up on from any ghosts or spirits present. He found the meter to be accurate in doing this, and soon the 'buzz' started in the paranormal circles about the K2 meter. Night Vision Night vision scopes work the same as cameras with night vision, they are good to use at getting around in the dark and to see those pesky shadows down the hall or even if manifestation in total darkness. But they are only good for personal experiences, they are incaqpable of recording, unless you do like I do and place a digital camera at the view finder, VOILA instant night vision picture. Motion Detectors These can be used to sense movements by often unseen forces or spirits.  You can also use them to monitor an empty area for people moving around.  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. Walkie-Talkies Basic communications between members and/or teams, a must have.  These are particularly useful in large areas where your team is split into smaller groups.  Be careful though, some IR Motion detectors and EMF meters will react to radio transmissions, and can be set off by these as well. Video Camcorder Same principle as digital cameras but using video and better IR.  Most investigators' goal is to capture video proof. Infrared (IR) Illuminators Made to extend the functionality of digital and video cameras that can record using nightvision (IR), these illuminators (built by Paul Bradford at Creepy Hollow) extend the range of our camcorders by as much as 40 yards in the dark, and indoor can completely fill an average sized room with infrared light.  Using Infrared LEDs, these do not output visible light, and can only be used with cameras that can see and record infrared images or video.  Sony and SIMA also make IR illuminators, but we have found the Creepy Hollow models to be more effective and less expensive.

Basic Equipment you need to have with you at all times * 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.  Not only do they allow you to see instantly if you have a positive photo, they can also take photos in limited infrared range of light.   *  Flashlight w/ 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.   I recommend using a red lens flash light to help preserve your night vision.  More info on red lenses and how to make your own here. *  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 a 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 a 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 tape recorder in stead and that is fine, just make sure you have spare batteries and tapes.    * 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.   *  Cellular phone - if you have one it can come in handy in case of an emergency. BUT please turn it off during the investigations.   *  Candles & matches - batteries often run low during hunts so you may run out of them and still need a light source.  Another good idea is a camping lantern that runs on lamp oil.   Be careful using the candles around motion detectors, they will set them off.    Finally, Please let someone know where you are investigating in case of emergencies and NEVER go alone. Dont forget BATTERIES, BATTERIES, BATTERIES