What should I buy as a starter kit?

[chriscook71]

I use Adobe Audition for audio editing.

[The Paranormals-Celtic]

We also use Adobe, but Audacity is an excellent FREE program... audacity.sourceforge.net/

[chriscook71]

Yep, I forgot about that one. It is really good. Probably the best bet for most folks.

[The Paranormals-Celtic]

Jul 8, 2009 17:19:22 GMT -5 chriscook71 said:

Yep, I forgot about that one. It is really good. Probably the best bet for most folks.

Agreed ;D

[moniquetn]

When I started to ghost hunt, I used a HI8 camcorder, and then a DVD camcorder. Now, we use SONY HARD DRIVE camcorders, since they have good night vision. Video for hours, without changing tapes, but you do have to have a extra battery. Also Additional IR lighting, can be added to the camcorder.... for about $60 plus s/h thru EBAY

[chriscook71]

Im a multimedia guy for the company I work for. I'm the contract photographer, but I also do some video work. We switched over completely to HD gear (3 chip Sony cameras) but did not, and will not, go to Hard Drive Cameras. Why? Many reasons, but the main one is this: When you are in the field and you run out of hard drive, you are simply out of hard drive. If you run out of tape, you put in another tape. And, due to conversions and other things I personally feel you still get better quality out of HDDV tapes. But, it's just my opinion. Your mileage may vary. I don't want to be in the field and run out of drive space and have to spend time dumping files down to a laptop spending time that could be used investigating. I would rather pop in another tape and keep on running. I am SURE many here will disagree, and it basically just comes down to what you personally feel best with.

[slayerarizona]

a mag flashlight, digital recorder, KII meter, EMF, hi8 or mini dvd camcorder, IR digital camera and a regular digital camera. Great start and relatively inexpensive.

[lowbattery71]

If you are not attempting to gather audio recordings that can be analyzed later than a simple digital voice recorder won't be a problem, but if you are considering serious study they are not adequate for paranormal study. The sample rate of all the standard digital voice recorders out there is much too low, and because of this the recorder itself can create artifacts within the recording. The cheapest digital recorder out there right now with proper sampling rates is the Zoom H2, and it will also allow you to use two microphones to record in stereo for spacial analysis (very cool, becasue you can figure out how far the voice or noise that was recorded was from the actual recorder).

My list has been whittled down to a very cost effective and simple set up, and if you scour eBay and Craigslist sites can find very good deals. Just make sure to verify the seller and know what you are buying. I suggest:

1.) A good flashlight, my favorite being a Cyclops Solutions head-worn LED style light and a mini-maglight with LED switchout.

2.) Several liquid filled compasses, one orienteering style compass and the smaller ball-style compasses to use as earth-field disturbance indicators. Stay away from AC field meters such as the KII and "ghost meters". AC field meters are good for finding areas to stay away from while researching an area like high EM fields in houses, but don't detect ghost or spirits at all. An AC meter should have a numerical display of some sort as well to get accurate readings. The KII and other cheap "ghost meters" only employ LEDs that give an estimated range of the field strength they encounter. Remember, also, that these memters are highly influenced by radio and microwave emissions, so they are not to be used for "spirit communication".

3.) A good quality cassette recorder with hi-bias Sony 90 minute cassettes, and one or two omnidirectional microphones depending on how many microphones it will accept (for 2 mic recorders place the mics 3 feet apart, and make sure to place them in the correct ports to match where they are in front of the recorder to get proper stereo recording).

4.) A 12mp Kodak digital camera set to 6 mp (good enough for field research and standard photos).

5.) An SLR 35mm camera with extended flash and 80mm lens (I shoot with Fujifilm 800 speed film only - have had the least amount of problems with this film).

6.) First aid kit

7.) Pens, paper, and a clip board.

8.) A Sony Hi-8 TRV-138 - I shy away from digital camcorders. Too many possibilities for noise in the conversion within the camera, and I like the separate analog audio track.

9.) A fast response k-type thermometer. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON AN INFRARED NON-CONTACT THERMOMETER! These only read surface temperatures and DO NOT give any readings from variations in air temperature.

When I started I ran out and got all the stuff I saw on tv and what I saw groups I worked with. Most of that stuff is in the junk drawer now, and I could have had a lot more money left over then for batteries, cassettes, video tapes and film.

However you already have the best equipment you can own - your eyes, ears, nose, sense of touch and your brain. Observe your surroundings, note anything you experience, but do not allow your senses to determine the outcome of the investigation. Inject some reason, remain skeptical until you have come to a well investigated conclusion, and beyond all else enjoy the experience.

[Rosemarie]

I'm not sure if this is of use to anybody here, but here is a on-line store recommended by Dr Ciaran O' Keeffe that in British Pounds is quite reasonable. Its got a variety of investigator 'kits' as well as individual tools. They ship to the USA and a variety of other countries. Hope someone finds it useful.

www.tomsgadgets.com/default.aspx

[Rosemarie]

Oh, I should state that I am not an employee and in no way affiliated with the site I recommended. Mods please feel free to delete if the recommendation breaks any rules - although I did check and couldnt see anything.

[lowbattery71]

That's a great site, Rosemarie. Thanks for sharing it!

[Rosemarie]

Thanx. I really hope its of use to someone - they are very helpful too (from my own experience).