In Fiona’s October 29th podcast, she discusses issues related to ghost hunting equipment.  [Listen to the podcast: Ghost Hunting Tools]

Here’s her article about this important topic.

GHOST HUNTING TOOLS, by Fiona Broome

Recently, many people have asked me about ghost hunting tools.  Often, they’re asking about the K-II meter.  Others want to know about EVP recorders, cameras, and so on.

My best advice is:  Use the lowest-tech tool that will meet your needs as a ghost hunter.

High-budget TV shows are great, but some of them have set us up to think that high-tech equipment is necessary to be a “real” ghost hunter.

That’s a terrible misconception because it holds people back from ghost research.

I was pleased to see an article by Grant Wilson, in which he echoes many of my sentiments as he discusses the K-II EMF meter.  (Grant and I generally see eye-to-eye on most paranormal topics.)

He made a couple of comments that are important to all ghost hunters, but especially those who are new and beginning to do field research.

SENSITIVITY CAN BE A PROBLEM

The features that make some ghost hunting equipment useful are the same features that make it a liability in the field.

The more sensitive equipment is designed to detect subtler anomalies.  However, because of its increased sensitivity, that same equipment can “read” on perfectly normal events, as well.

Unless you are very alert, have considerable experience with the equipment, and have conducted extensive baseline studies in the setting, it’s easy to confuse normal and paranormal events.

For example, in his review of the K-II meter, Grant mentions that the K-II can respond to cell phone activity within 20 feet of the meter.  If you’re not watchful, those readings can be deceptive.

Another problem with highly sensitive equipment is the failure rate.

When we’re ghost hunting, we’re generally looking at electrical phenomena.  High EMF readings confirm this.  However, those same electrical charges in the air can affect our equipment.

From what I’ve seen in the field, the more features on an electrical device — such as a camera — the greater the likelihood that it will fail when affected by EMF spikes or other paranormal phenomena.

A fancy, loaded-with-bells-and-whistles camera can work just fine in the parking lot, but when we enter the haunted setting, it stops dead. (No pun intended.)

On the other hand, I have never seen a cheap disposable film camera stop working during an investigation.  If it worked in the parking lot, it will work no matter how wild the paranormal activity.

I always recommend backup tools such as dowsing rods, film cameras, a  hiking compass, etc.

The lower the technology, the more reliable the tool.  Remember that when you’re packing supplies for an investigation.

WATCH OUT FOR FLASHING LIGHTS

Many new, complex and useful ghost hunting tools have been designed to look impressive.  They have flashing lights, others use needle-type gauges, and many also have sound features.

It’s easy to become fascinated with the flashing lights and noisemakers.

Too often, I see new investigators staring intently at the screens on their digital cameras, missing the spectacular paranormal phenomena just a few feet away.  Or, they’re watching for flashing lights on their EMF meter, and don’t realize that the rest of us have discovered a “cold spot” on the other side of the room.

Don’t let the equipment be your only connection to the paranormal world.  The cameras, EMF meters, EVP recordings, etc., are just supporting evidence for hauntings.  They aren’t the haunting itself.

Instead, focus on your five (or six) senses.  Notice details.  Check how you are reacting to the environment, and how the ghosts or residual energy are impacting you, personally.

If you use ghost hunting tools — and they are not necessary — to confirm hauntings.  The equipment merely verifies anomalies with measurable results.

YOU ARE THE BEST DETECTION DEVICE

The best way to become a good ghost hunter is to develop your own observation skills.

You’re looking for things that are odd.  They can include temperature changes, breezes that can’t be explained, objects that seem to move “by themselves,” and so on.

If you’re busy staring at a fancy EMF meter, or trying to repair your expensive camera that simply won’t work, you might miss an amazing encounter with a spirit, and you might not notice the apparition looking over your shoulder as you work.

Links

Ghost Hunting Tools, a podcast by Fiona Broome (29 Oct 2008)

What We Know About the K-II Meter, a MySpace post by Grant Wilson (as Grant-o-Lantern), 23 Oct 2008

Basic tools every ghost hunter must have, an article by Fiona Broome

Also see other articles in the “Ghost Hunters’ Guide” section of this website.

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