When many people think of ghost investigators on the job, they picture radioactive backpacks and photon guns.....oh yeah and those nifty ghost traps too.   I get asked quite often about the equipment I use, what is does and where to get it.  I am going to spare you all the technical jargon and specs of each piece of equipment and just give you the basics in plain talk.  Hopefully you learn and a bit about the equipment we use and lose some of those misconceptions.  If you are considering having investigators out to you house, this page may also set you mind at ease, knowing beforehand, what they will be bringing with them.  This is not all the equipment investigators use, but it is the most common.   South Jersey Ghost Research uses all of the equipment shown below and many of the photos of equipment are of things right out of my toolboxes.



Cameras:
                            Canon sureshot85                           Nikon N60 SRL               Minolta Maxxum XTsi
I use a Canon sureshot80 35mm camera with 400 speed film indoors and 800 speed film outdoors.  I also have used a Fuji Zoom180 35 camera.  Both of these cameras cost under $100.00.  You do not need to have an expensive camera to get good results.  I do recommend an autofocus 35mm with a flash.  35mm cameras are available everywhere and you should have no problem finding one to fit your budget.
Where you can order these: http://www.canon.com/ Yahoo Shopping    

                 Olympus 360L               Sony Mavica FD88
I also use an Olympus 450 Zoom digital camera.  This is a very popular model among ghost hunters.  It uses smartmedia memory cards.  An 8meg card can hold up to 122 photos.  You can also buy additional memory cards.  I get great results and the flash is very bright and works great outdoors at night.  I have also seen great results from digital cameras by Kodak and Nikon.  Many department stores (Walmart, Target, Kmart) and computer stores carry many different models of digital cameras.  A good one starts a about $250.00 and the go up from there.  The Olympus 340L runs about $299.00.
Where you can order these: http://www.olympus.com/ Yahoo Shopping



Video and Audio Recorders
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The camcorder of choice is the Sony camcorder line.  This camcorder features a nightshot feature which records in total darkness.  The nightshot setting uses infrared light to record beyond what the human eye can see.  We have been getting great results using it.  We use these camcorders instead of nightvision scopes.  Night vision scopes tend to more expensive and they are easily damaged by light and pose a risk to the users eye with a lot of camera flashes going off.  The Sony line is the only one with the nightshot feature and they start at about $299.00.  There are a variety of models featuring color viewfinders, side screens, 8mm, HI8 and digital formats.
Where you can order these: Sony's Website Yahoo Shopping    


A normal tape recorder or a handheld one is an invaluable tool.  I recommend when you are attempting to record spirits, use an external microphone in order to reduce the amount of noise generated by the internal mechanics of the recorder itself.  You can also use these for interview witnesses and keeping notes during an investigation.  Hi grade or metal tapes seem to work the best.  These are available at all department stores and many other places as well.  Most start at $15.00 on up.

Panasonic's  RR-DR60 & RR-QR80
Tapeless digital recorders are becoming more popular.  They are still a bit pricey but they do have their bonuses.  YOu can use the voice activation feature which only records when it "hears" somehing. This cuts down on the total amout of audio you have to review. It also logs in the date and time of each recording. We have gotten good results with this type of recorder with and without a external microphone.  This piece of equipment is also suited for notes and interviews.  I have also seen it used by investigators who attempt EVP recording by asking the spirits questions at different intervals.  They start at about $80.00.
Where you can order these: Panasonic Website Yahoo Shopping
EMF Detectors


Electromagnetic field detectors are very useful tools provided they are used properly.  There are instructions with each type that you should read.  These meters detect fluctuations in EM fields.  These ranges vary for 3 feet to 30 feet.  Many things will give readings on an EMF meter but what we are looking for is abnormal and unnatural readings that have been tied to spirit activity.  Each of the EMF meters pictured are the ones that I use.  Each one has it's own benefits.  (From left to right) The Electrosensor EMF has a range of 3ft and a light up led display.  It can give you readings within 1 milligauss.  It runs about $25.00.  The ELF Zone one has 3 lights, the middle of which is almost exactly the range we are looking for during an investigation.  It's range is 10-12 feet,.  These cost about $10.00.  The Trifield Natural EM meter is one of the best.  It is very sensitive to movement and vibration so be aware of that.  One the plus side it has an audible alarm to let you know that your meter is getting a reading.  It's range is approximately 25 feet and it runs about $250.00.  The 200A EMF meter is a great handheld meter with an easy to read digital readout.  It's range is approximately 12-15 feet and it runs about $99.00.
Where you can order these: http://ghosthunterstore.com




Temperature Sensing Equipment


Temperature equipment is also important in recording cold spots and other temperature anomalies.  I prefer to use contact thermometers like the PT100 about (top left) It reads what ever the 1/4" tip senses and it is very accurate,  It is used in commercial refrigeration.  It runs about $50.00.  We also use a wide variety of thermometers, many styles including their remote thermometers which allows temperature sensing in many rooms, all from on central location.  Price ranges on thermometers are $18.00 to 300.00.  The Non contact thermometer (center) is also a great tool for indoor investigations and it can be used outdoors as well.  Each brand has a different range. Some have a laser beam to pinpoint a location but that is not necessary for what we are using them for and it adds about $20 to the price.  They are basically point a shoot and give you a reading of the area you pointed at.
Where you can order these: http://ghosthunterstore.com - Non IR contact thermometers and digital thermometers Grainger Website - PT100 digital thermometer




Motion Detectors


Motion detectors are also an inexpensive tool.  The detector gives off an audible signal when the infrared beam is broken.  Spirits seem to interact well with infrared technology and we have gotten numerous positive results using these.  The ones picture above on the left are from Radio Shack and cost about $25.00 each.   The one on the right is a mini-alert motion detector and it sells for around $15.00.
Where you can order these: http://ghosthunterstore.com
 
Other Important Equipment


Here are more important pieces of equipment.  We use handheld radios with a 2 mile range so that team members can communicate from floor to floor of a building or across a cemetery.  They are great for safety reasons and enables us to keep track of what is happening to other investigators.  We also use this on large investigations to call events into one person, who is the central logger, keeping track of all events.  The price for these Cobra Clear Call radios is about 59.00 a pair.  They are available at most department stores like Walmart, Target and Kmart.  Walmart sells individual FRS 14 channel radios in single packs for under $20.
Flashlights are a must.  I use two different types one regular one and one with a red filter over the lens.  The red filter gives off enough light for you to see but does not interfere with photos and is not visible from a distance.
BRING LOTS OF EXTRAS!  Always have extra batteries for each piece of equipment.  Extra tapes and film are also a must.  Use common sense and bring necessities and plenty of EXTRAS.
Where you can order these: http://ghosthunterstore.com - Red lens flashlights