I'd like to hear what most of you investigators use for your investigations, why and what do you consider the best equipment that has worked best for you?

Air Ion Counter This device measures positive and negative ions in the air. Ghosts can cause a lot of positive ions because they give off high amounts of electromagnetic discharges. However the price can be high, around $400 - $600
Bags These should preferably be special plastic ones with zips, used to contain any material evidence that is found.
BarometerSome ghost hunters believe that paranormal activity can affect barometric pressure so it may be useful to take one.
Candles and Matches These are essential items especially if your flashlight and equipment stop working. Some ghost hunters believer that ghost energy can drain equipment energy and candles should be taken as a back up.
Camera A 35mm camera with black and white film and/or infrared film is very useful for capturing any pictures. Ensure that you have plenty of film. For best results use a film speed of no less than 200. A speed of 800 may produce better results although it will be very grainy. It is also important that your camera has flash either its own or slave flash. Have all the film developed by experts and don't forget a tri-pod to avoid camera shake.
Compass A compass is not only very useful for navigation it is also great for picking up electromagnetic forces. A compass will react to any magnetic or electrical stimulus that may be out of the ordinary. For this reason it is probably better to avoid an electronic compass instead use the needle points north kind.
Control Object This is a small object such as a coin that is placed on a piece of white paper, which in turn is placed on a table or where it will not be disturbed. A pencil circle is drawn around the coin so that it's exact location is recorded. The coin and paper are then left and then re-examined at the end of the ghost hunt to see if the coin has moved. If it has, then this could indicate some strange activity. Ensure no-one can accidentally move the coin or you will obtain false results.
Digital Recorder These are very useful and they are quickly becoming the item of choice for obtaining electronic voice phenomenon results.
Dowsing Rods Some researchers feel that the use of dowsing rods can help to pick up ghosts.
EMF DetectorThese detectors can pick up electronic fields over different frequencies. Disruptions in electronic fields could possibly mean ghosts. Prices range from $24 to $130.
Extra Batteries These are essential because ghosts are thought to be electromagnetic and this can cause batteries to run down quite quickly. Extra batteries will be essential for all of the ghost hunting equipment that needs it.
FilmElectromagnetic discharges can affect film and it may need to be replaced. Therefore it is important to ensure that plenty of spare rolls are accessible. Use 200 or 400 possibly 800 speed film, this will provide the best photographs
Flash Lights Always have bright flash lights (usually 3 or 4) and extra batteries.
First Aid Kit It is always useful to have a first aid kit
Ghost Catcher (AKA Spirit Wind Chime)These act in the same way as a normal wind chime, but as long as they are strategically placed away from drafts and wind, the theory is that it is a ghost that will make the chime work.
Headset Communications When operating as a team of three or more people, headset communicators are useful for staying in contact when spread out. Headset communicators, unlike their counterpart the walkie talkie allow the user to have their hands free to use other equipment such as cameras. Prices range from $30 to $80 each.
Hydrome This device is useful for picking up any changes in air humidity.
Infrared Thermal ScannerThese devices accurately pin point cold spots, thus saving on time and infrared film. Excellent for use in outside investigations. Prices range from $300 to $500. A non essential but useful item.
Microphone A good microphone is essential for picking up electronic voice phenomena.
Mobile Phone These are useful in case of an emergency they can also be affected by the presence of strange activity.
Motion Detectors These devices are good for sensing movement when there should be none. One sensor can easily monitor an entire hallway or room. it is an ideal tool for indoor investigations.
Night Vision Equipment Night Vision scopes can be very useful. Cheap night vision adapters are available that will attach the scopes to video cameras for about $30. However Night Vision Equipment can be expensive. Choose monocular or binocular equipment. Binocular are a good choice because they add the benefit of depth perception. Prices range between $250-$4000. You can get some good scopes in the $300 range that work well on video equipment
Night Vision Video Camera This device is similar to combining a video camera with a night vision scope and allows the recording of light not normally visible to the naked eye. A good investigative tool.
NotebookAlways keep records of times and events, this is very useful for documenting the investigation and especially if the study is to be replicated. Pens and pencils are also essential.
Red CellophaneThis is a useful material for covering the lenses of flashlights in order to prevent the light from being too blinding.
Small Windchimes Some researchers claim that breezes sometimes accompany ghosts. Windchimes should be placed in areas where the ghost is thought most likely to appear and of course out of the wind or drafts. This is a simple system that can alert investigators to photograph the area.
Spot Lights These small battery powered spot lights help at night when setting up and taking down cameras and other equipment. They can also be used for safety and to get a better view of the surrounding terrain at night. Some of the most useful ones sit on the ground but have swivels on the lights enabling them to be set to different angles.
Talcum Powder This is a useful substance for capturing footprints or handprints. Sprinkle it around on the ground around where the investigation is taking place.
Tape RecorderA good tape recorder and an external static free microphone should be in use at all times during a ghost hunt. Although nothing may be heard during the investigation there is a phenomenon called EVP (electronic voice phenomenon) whereby spirit voices have been known to appear on tape later after being reviewed. Ensure the use of brand new tapes when recording.
Thermal Imaging ScopesRapid drops in temperature has often been associated with the presence of a ghost. As with the compass the old fashioned mercury filled, red-line thermometer is probably better than its electronic counterpart. A good thermometer can detect changes in room temperature quickly and where electromagnetic forces have been reported, an electronic device might fail or be wrongly affected.
Thermometer Rapid drops in temperature has often been associated with the presence of a ghost. As with the compass the old fashioned mercury filled, red-line thermometer is probably better than its electronic counterpart. A good thermometer can detect changes in room temperature quickly and where electromagnetic forces have been reported, an electronic device might fail or be wrongly affected.
Video Camera This piece of equipment allows events to be captured as they are happening.
Walkie-Talkies These devices allow you to communicate with your ghost hunting party. If you are investigating a house and you have people scattered all over, walkie-talkies allow you to keep in touch.
Watch An essential piece of equipment for recording the time when the events happen.

I hope that someone helps you carry all of that equipment!

I think every team should take along a psychic, medium or at least someone sensitive to the spirtual world. Seems when someone can sense a presence or talk to spirits a certain way, they tend to manifest. I dont believe in provoking them, or ticking them off, that is counter productive. Using the best equipment is useless without one person who has some abilities to connect. Just my opinion..JN

Eyes and Faith..right?

Note pad and pen. Always. Forget that other stuff. Its just icing.

Also, I have to take issue with candles... fire hazard!!!

But then again, you got the first aid kit...

I was thinking the same thing!

Thanks, i will start to pick up my gear!
veliska27 are you a ghost hunter?

A vaccine against blurry camera syndrome would be good.

My tech caddy can carry all of this equipment! LOL...

This may sound off beat but I think one of the best pieces of equipment one could bring to any investigation, is an open mind. I have been involved with investigations in which the negativity of one or more people has been so counter productive that even tho most active of locations were (pardon the terminology) dead. Spirits are like anyone else, they are not going to make effort to communicate, if they feel their efforts aren't to be taken seriously.

Blessed be,

TruBeliever

Lol....not yet I haven't found anyone to carry all of my equipment!!! Kidding...yes I have ghost hunted before. All I had was a digital camcorder and a flash light. I WAS JUST GIVING YOU DIFFRENT IDEAS ON WHAT KIND OF EQUPIMENT TO USE. Opps sorry about the caps!!! lol. Anyways good luck on your hunting! The only thing I have ever picked up was some evps...and orb photos.

Veliska,

Believe it or not, I have seen investigations conducted with lesser technical equipment. LOL

TruBeliever

lol...I know I know. I was just giving him ideas.........geez. Like I said I only had a digital camcorder and a camera when I went....

You know tho, with all the advances we have made in paranormal studies, it makes you wonder how investigators ever were able to gain proof of anything before. I mean what did they do before hand held recorders, EMF detectors, Wireless and mini DVD?

Blessed Be

TruBeliever

probably a journal and a sketch pad...lol

veliska27, that was a fine list. well done. A team with vans and such to transport the equipment would be well to have you aboard controlling their inventory. I usually got along fine with a flashlight, and an emf meter, an ambient thermometer, a small bag of flour, and a large bore handgun. The latter was for a false sense of security (false is better than none, eh?) lol. I know that list took you some time. Thanks...I enjoyed reading it. ~Jackal

Your welcome!! Thank you as well for such a nice comment! My cousin and I are going to start a team soon. Our first investigation is going to be at the old bartow courthose in bartow fl. It's on the net if you like to read about it's hauntings. I will let you know pearsonaly how it when!

When getting started you only need the basics... camera (digital or 35mm), audio recorder ( digital or caseette), thermometer & emf meter. All these things are fairly inexpensive & pretty much the basics.

Well I don't think I left any out...lol. I think it pretty well sums up this forum

Yeah, because it takes hard work and a lot of knowledge to cut and paste some list from another site.

That was not very nice....and I did not cut, paste,off the internet!! I used my book...so why be harsh on someone who is trying to help someone?

Because she bites.

(I agree, that wasn't very nice)

she's probably having a bad day

You can definately have too much gear, especially when you start off. You can't be a one-man-band.

Pick one or two pieces, especially something that you have a particular interest in (like a recorder for EVPs) and stick with that for a while until you get more experience.

I wasn't being nice or naughty with my reply. The OP started this thread by saying: "I'd like to hear what most of you investigators use for your investigations, why and what do you consider the best equipment that has worked best for you?" He did not ask for you to list what was in your book; Or cut and paste which is what I suspect regardless of what you say. That was so neatly organised in alphaorder, far too much text to copy from a book. Then you posted: "Well I don't think I left any out...lol. I think it pretty well sums up this forum <insert laughing smily>". Personally, I think that was quite disrespectful and smug of you. The OP was looking for personal and thoughtful replies. So, I simply called it as I saw it.

Yes and your reply was sooo thoughtful.

Actually, it was.

WOW she is not very nice..ick....JN

She's scared of Simple Clowns...Now...!!

In the past I have used a variety of digital cameras, I have found the Olympus digital cameras to be the best. They don't seem to pick up as much dust or other particulate matter floating around. Most Olympus digital cameras allow you to take pics rather quickly(for a digital camera) which allows for a control shot and the master shot. Either digital or cassette voice recorders work just as well, as long as there is some kind of background noise. A digital laser reading thermometer is the best way to go. It allows you to take a temperature reading from a short distance allowing you to compare multiple points in an area. That allows you to make a more accurate determination of a localized temperature event. Most important thing I carry with me is a pen and paper.

I shoot thousands of pic with olympus for two years and it only gave me one orb.
Funny i don't shoot myself and that orb was on my body.

This is my philosophy when it comes to people reading other people on message boards. This even goes for exchanging Emails or talking in a Messenger with another person...

A lot of topics, questions, statements and comments can be misconcepted, misconceived, or be misread. I am the type of person who is misunderstood a lot on message boards, and unless you get to know me and where I am coming from, its hard to read me so a lot of people make assumption or jump to their own conclusion without directly replying to what the person actually said. That is why I think there is a lot of arguing going on, people not getting along, or confusion. It could because of the way a person writes, or explains things. It happened to me quite a few times on here. I would ask a question or make a response, and someone will misread what I mean. In the beginning, I will have no intention of offending anyone, or being disrespectful. I notice that happens a lot around here and not just with me. If everyone gave each other the chance to get to know the person, you would understand what they are saying. It happened to me. I didn't get along with someone, quite a few people... but I PM'd them privately and professionally and explained specifically to them what I meant if something was misunderstood. I feel the PM system is good for that. Instead of arguing or making public remarks against someone, I rather solve an issue by PM. Its more professional and respectful. I'm not pointing fingers, just making this a general statement. I get along great with the people I didn't get along with in the beginning. If you give the person a chance and understand them, and actually read what they are trying to state, I bet you everyone would be a lot friendlier on here. You have people from different countries on here, and its hard to read their grammar. Or you are not use to their language. So many things can get twisted.

I'm not taking anyone's sides here... just trying to make a general point. I don't like seeing people I get along with not get along...

Hope this all makes sense... LOL

Matt

Yes I am and you didn't help much...lol. Those pics were scarey! I can't stand them EKKK....
And if anyone is upset at me then I apologize. For now on I will never over do a reply on a post or use a book. I really want to meet friends here and no enemy's. I was really trying to help, and I am sorry.

Matt, thanks for the comment. I never had any means to be disrepectful...really. I was trying to help. I see her point...

((Veliska)) Not to worry over one poster, seems there is always one in every thread. We love ya, so post away and ignore the negative comments, and remember they are strangers so who cares? .JN-

I love you guys too! Thanks