Tools of the trade

My Paranormal toy box

Since the onslaught of ghost hunting TV shows, the influx of paranormal researchers have skyrocketed; everyone and their mother have hopped on board the supernatural train. The world is now inundated with a plethora of places you can investigate, for a price, of course. To add to the fun and the opportunity to capitalize on this newfound hobby, there are various stores and sites where you can purchase your own paranormal investigative equipment.

Ghost hunting is stressful and scary at the best of times and a dull, uneventful drag at the worst of times. Regardless of the scenario, a few pieces of equipment are a must during any investigation, which will hopefully keep you intrigued the entire time. A few will add to your ghost hunting game but don't get me wrong, this is not a cheap hobby to engage in, and once you fall down that rabbit hole, it is very pricey and hard to come back out.

Ghosts are not equal, and not all equipment will work with every one of them. Some spirits are seen; some are only heard, some can be recorded, and some cannot. That is why my first initial tool to attain is probably one you currently own.

Cell Phone

Virtually a computer that fits in the palm of your hand; a cell phone literally has everything you require to capture the presence of a ghost. The camera on a newer phone can have a higher pixel rating than a regular camera. If you are anything like me, you upgrade your phone far more than upgrading your camera and hence the technology can be far more superior. If you don't feel like capturing pictures, you can also turn to the video recording option and shoot that way; however, the video quality may not be as good as possible if the place is dark. The voice recording app on the cell phone can capture any EVP ( electro voice phenomenon.) An EVP catches voices of a potential spirit with your recording though they are never heard with your own ears. Plugging in some headphones and re-listening to a recorded session can have you capturing an EVP without realizing it. My cell phone is still the primary back up for any investigations that I go on; however, I still prefer my specific ghost hunting toys.

Flashlight

Perhaps this feels like something that should not even be mentioned. Still, I have seen individuals going into haunted locations without even a flashlight. The first piece of equipment you should ensure you have while investigating is a flashlight. Without a doubt, you could forgo any other piece of equipment but this one. Places are dark, and you need to see where you are going. The decrepit nature of some of the places you could investigate can cause you much harm if you cannot see. Exploring in the dark is not necessary to find a ghost, as plenty of activity happens in broad daylight, locations enjoy shutting off the lights to encourage the creepy atmosphere.

K2meter

K2 meter reads EMF- electromagnetic frequencies. These are the same frequencies that are emitted from a microwave, computers and other electrical equipment. That is why you need to be wary while using this meter, as it will not only capture the presence of something supernatural but also indicated to you where electrical fields may be present. Some paranormal entities seem to emit EMF, or perhaps they can manipulate it, but this is not true for every spiritual being.

I have had great success with a K2 meter reacting in sync with questions being posed to an entity, and then in other locations have had no activity captured with the EMF at all. Ghosts do not conform to your equipment; you have to work with what they will interact with, hence why we have so many toys. Just because one piece of equipment does not work does not mean it's not haunted.

IR recorder

Infrared light and a recording camera altered to see in the dark is a great device to have. This will change a hard to see video shot in the dark to a fully viewable room without using regular lighting, which can have an obnoxious effect on others trying to investigate. I have an altered Go-pro that uses IR light to see in the dark. Though previously I use to have a separate voice recording device and sometimes still do, I usually use my audio on my camera to check for EVP's. Rather than having to listen to twice as much audio.

Polaroid camera

With all of the apps that can alter photos with the click of a button, it is easy to fake paranormal capture, and hence I have now opted to use a Polaroid camera as my primary means to capture images. These photos cannot be altered and, in the end, give a genuine shot. No one can disprove a Polaroid picture.

PMB or any other sensor-related trigger object

Trigger objects are objects that are placed in an area in hopes of an entity triggering them. This can be done by motions, vibrations or by electromagnetic frequencies - like the K2. My newest toy, and currently my favourite so far, has been one that has not disappointed but has an incredibly creepy element to it that adds to the ambiance. My PMB - paranormal music box has a close proximity sensor. Therefore its music box will start to play its eery music only when someone or something has come into close proximity to the sensor situated at the front of the miniature coffin-shaped apparatus. I have this equipment located in areas on for over 24 hours and have not to affect, and yet one night, having been on for a week in the evenings, I had contact. A very surreal experience, but now my new favourite toy.

Thermal imaging camera

Thermal imaging was a big thing at one point, and though it is still pretty cool, I have only captured something once in all the years that I have used it. Thermal imaging will show you a video of the surrounding area based on the temperature difference. Though not a piece I utilize much, I never leave the house without it, for I never know when it may be needed. This was an impulsive buy on my part while watching Ghost Hunters - they had one, so of course, I had to have one. After the $400 price tag, I was disappointed that it never revealed much. However, what was captured was almost worth it.

Gimmicky paranormal types of equipment

Beware of the equipment that runs on your phone; various apps or equipment which are not sold by reputable stores or programmers. There is gimmicky equipment that "always works" no matter where you are; they always receive a "positive" reading. These pieces of equipment are not legitimate hunting tools. If it is always catching a ghost, it is pretty much programmed to do so. If it is always finding a spirit, chances are it is a gimmick. I have purchased plenty of toys, and unfortunately, I have dubbed into buying a gimmicky one. No piece of equipment should always work, no matter where you are and no matter what the seller states. If it does, it's not real I can guarantee it.

Subjective Articles

Though I do not have an aversion to Ouija boards, pendulums or dowsing rods, these articles are not seen as serious pieces of equipment that will prove the presence of a spirit. These pieces can be far too subjective when used, giving false positives of the paranormal. I am not saying that they cannot be adequately utilized; however, a paranormal investigation that acquires proof is not that time.

These are just a few of the tools that I personally like to use, but there are plenty more that may intrigue you. If you Are seriously looking for a store with excellent quality products, I suggest the following:

Ghost hunters equipment by Ghost Augustine

Ghost Hunters Equipment - One Stop Shop for Ghost Hunting Equipment – Ghost Hunters Equipment by GHOST AUGUSTINE

Ghoststop

Ghost Hunting Equipment Gear - EVP Recorder, EMF Meter, Full Spectrum Camera, Paranormal Investigation Ghost Hunter Equipment, Supplies and Research (ghoststop.com)

*Please note these stores are not sponsored, solely two of my favourite ghost hunting supply stores.