Do you really need equipment?

[Jim]

I tried to start this topic last night and the board went down, but that's another story.

Most of us have watched TAPS and seen the loads of equipment they lug around.  It would be nice to have all that.  Reality is that most of us have a camera and some sort of recorder; microcassette, cassette, or digital voice.  That's basically all you need.  We have an EMF detector and a IR thermometer that so far we haven't had an opportunity to use.

There are lots of things that I would like to have.  Anyone else have some ideas for basic equipment.  Would be nice to come up with a list for our new investigators.

[Dianna]

A tablet to use as an investigation log will help those of us who have CRS.

It would be hard to remember (some time later down the road) the  location, temperature and weather conditions, activities, and such without some way of recording it...

Dianna

[Bonnie]

When we get ready to do a big investigation, I'll come up with a big list. 

Bonnie

[Jim]

I saw something yesterday while looking for the night vision thingie that we may be interested in.  It was an infrared motion sensor that sounds an alarm.  It had a remote to turn it on and off from about 30 feet away.  I can't remember what website I saw it on..

And it wasn't expensive.  I think it was about $20.  I'll try and find it later today and post a link.

[Bonnie]

Sounds real good.

[Jim]

Well, I found the site I mentioned in a previous post.  The prices seem very reasonable and the selection of basic equipment is really good.  Here's the link and you can decide for yourself.


http://www.lessemf.com/ghost.html

[Bonnie]

If an open mind could be considered as equipment, then I think that would be one of the most important things to have on an investigation.

[christy]

thats a cool link jim,lots of neat stuff in it, i found a link in it for gettysburg. thats not to far from me an hours or so drive? havta ask the hub show far
they do a workshop lesson for people bout using equipment n stuff, its called the showdow project gettysburg, they also have one for neworleans n virgina
http://www.soultrackers.com/media.html

wonder if i can talk my aunt in to going this spring or summer for a trainee day 

[Jim]

Great link Christy.  That trainee course looks interesting.  I would love to visit Gettysburg.  I'm a Civil War buff too.

Basic equipment can mean lots of things to different folks.  Here's what I would consider some basic equipment:

1)  Camera - digital is fine, preferably 5 megapixel or better.  This is because you will be enlarging the shots to take better looks at any anomalies.  Also shooting on the highest quality setting is recommended.

2)  Thermometer - Infrared is good but not required.  This helps you identify the cold spots.  You can get one of the cheaper wired ones that has a probe that you are supposed to put outside.  Get a telescoping paint handle, tape the probe to the end and you can still scan a room without having to walk into every corner.

3)  Flashlight - doesn't hurt to have several.  Even the kind that crank up are good as you don't have to worry about batteries.

4)  Tape recorder or digital voice recorder -  The micro-cassette or mini-cassette work fine.  Try to get an external microphone if at all possible.

See, not much equipment at all.  You don't have to have all the fancy stuff like the folks on Ghost Hunters (TAPS) have.

[Wrennie]

? Can you hear the spirit voices on a regular tape recorder without some sort of equipment to amplify it or block out white noise?

[Jim]

Yep sure can.  A standard digital voice recorder works great.  The software used to analyze the recording has lots of features and filters to help you pull out the voices.

[christy]

   thanks jim, i took notes ill haveta do reserch to see were all the spots are in gettysburge for hauntings
either do the trainee day or just go down n do our own thing, or maybe both 

[Jim]

Thought I would bump this topic up as UncleG asked about basic equipment.  Take a look at this topic and you will see that really you don't need lots of equipment. 

[UNCLEG]

Thanx Jim,

G

[Jayrod1972]

There are few more things I take or will take... like  walkie talkies and a extra pair of undies.. just incase something jumps out and scares me  ... I have talked to a few ghost hunters that wished they had a extra pair.

[Jim]

I have a pair of the family service radios as well but so far we haven't had occasion to use them.  They would come in handy in a large house I guess but seem pointless in some of the houses we have around here.  I think if we were investigating a 2-story house they might be useful. 

Hmmmmmmm might come in handy in a large cemetary or battlefield also. 

I don't know about the spare drawers.  I think I would be headed home if I messed in mine.  Wouldn't need a spare set.