Ok you have been to our database which can be found on our message board and checked out a haunt, and of course with the correct permissions granted you are going off on an investigation, so what kit do you really need if you are serious about your new hobby.
35mm Camera: 35mm Camera and plenty of film, infa red, colour and black and white film, camcorders & Video players monitors are also good and you need a tripod. Take a digital camera too for quick impulse, get you out of trouble shots, but don't ever rely 100% on it. One place where a Digital camera with a timer is good is for use where you can set them up in a locked off room and time them to snap a capture every few minutes. And VHS tapes should be brand new!!! Important!!
Night Vision Equipment: Night Vision scopes can be very useful. You can also get cheap adapters that will attach the scopes to video cameras for about £20. Some Night Vision Equipment can be expensive but you don't have to pay the earth .. Budget for around £150 -200 and that should buy you a fair piece of kit.
Tape Recorder: A simple tape recorder, is also part of your kit bag, even if you don't hear anything with your bare ears, Spirit voices have been know to be picked up and can be heard after the tape is played back
A good tape recorder and an external static free microphone should be in use at all times in the ghost hunt. Even if you don't hear anything during the hunt rewind the tape and play it back. Spirit voices have been known to be heard on tape later after review. This is termed EVP, Electronic Voice Phenomena. Don't forget golden rule !! Use brand new tapes when recording.
Good Torch,. A good torch is important, you may not always have acces to lights and sometimes you don't want to use them anyway!. and don't forget spare batteries
A Notebook and pens/pencils: Very important for keeping notes and records of events, everybody should have one so that after the investigation notes can be compared.
EMF Detector: These are great! we love them. An EMF Detectors can pick up electronic fields over different frequencies. Where there are ghosts there are usually disruptions in the electronic field. we recommend you have a few of these in your group.
Thermometer: A good thermometer can detect changes in room temperature quickly. We favour the old type mercury filled, thermometers. Elcectronic thermometers are all well and good but in ghost cases where electromagnetic forces have been reported they can let you down right when you most need them.
Walkie Talkies: Great mean off keeping in touch with other team members, mobile phones should not be used as they can cause problems with spirts and interfere with EMF readings. Take one with you but keep it off!!
Expensive things....... If you love your Ghost Hunting you may want to splash out on..
Air Ion Counter: Measures positive and negative Ions in the air. This little add-on is a great instrument to have for use in the field. The price is high, around £250-£300
Infrared Thermal Scanner: These saves on infrared film and time by accurately pin pointing the cold spots. These scanners are excellent to use in outside investigations. Prices from £100-£300..
Other things that are of use...
Dowsing Crystals,,,, Ideal for direct spirit contact
Candles. Ask them to try to blow it out..
Trigger objects and sand boxes, Leave a small item in a tray of sand in a locked off room, go back at the end of the investigation and see if the item has been moved.
And of course, a few flasks of warm tea or coffee and a few ghosts for good measure!!
(c) Dr D Miller@PRC 2006
