M-and-M-Investigators

Some have been asked what kind of equipment we use on our investigations.  Below you will find some of the Tech we use and how to use it. We want everyone to know that we do not use oujii boards or other portal causing devices.  And as always if you have any questions or comment go to our submit page.  http://www.m-and-m-investigators.com/yousubmit.htm

EMF-(Electro Magnetic Field) Detector -  This device measures the electomagnetic fields in an area.  Most "ghost hunters" say that a paranormal presence uses or creates EMFs.  Sometimes false/positives may happen if close to a electrical sorce such as an electric oven, doorbell, or computer.  This particular device churps when a EMF is detected.

KII meter, can it really communicate with ghosts?  Well will are gonna find out.  It works on the same idea of emf detectors, picking up changes in the charge of the area you are investigating.  Using different lights to indicate if you are indeed talking to spirits.

Motion Detector-Basically it detects motion.  Used primarily as an extra person when using a person is not advisable like near stairs or basements.  When someone or something passes in front of the detector and breaks the infrared "laser" it will produce a high pitched churp.

Thermometer (Non-Contact) measures the air or surface temperature when trigger is pressed.  Excellent for isolating cold or hot spots.  These spots could indicate paranormal activities, it is believed that entities draw energies and heat from the air thus giving us a cold spot.  Besides ghost hunting this is just plain cool!

Tape or Digital Recorders, whichever you prefer.  Both can record EVPs.  The tape recorder gives you up to an hour of record time (Depending on the length of tape you use).  Digital recorders have the ability to record almost an unlimited amount of time and lets you set it and forget it.  Some digital recorders also can be downloaded to the computer for easier listening.  We have found that an external microphone picks up sounds better that the internal.

Tapes- get the best you can!  These are the life-blood of your investigation.  These tapes are going to be recording/documenting the events that occur during the investigation.  Higher quality tapes usually provide the better performance when recording and transferring data.  One of the main drawbacks is that you can only use them once, if not you will get what is called bleed over.  Just be careful. 

Other tapes besides audio include video or Hi-8.  Same rules apply!

Camera (Digital or Film).  Both of course take pictures of objects and people.  We have found that the digital are the best because they can be download.  Some believe that film cameras are good to because when taking a picture a negetive is produced. 

Video Cameras are used to capure video.  We use cameras with night vision capabilities.  Sometimes stationary on a tripod or mobile, these cameras are best to film the users' experiences.  The newer ones are now using Hi-8 film which is a better tape for capturing events due to the tape speed.

Night Vision (Infrared) Camera (s) are the next best thing to being there.  These cameras have the ability to see in the dark (at least better than we can) and some have microphones.  The more LEDs the better the ability to see in the dark.  Also, these can be hooked up to VCRs, TVs, and DVRs. 

Thermal Camera-Thermal Imagers see only heat or the lack of heat to show an indication of surface temperatures in a room, day or night!  We get to use these cameras if we have a true indication that an ghost has been seen.  We can borrow from http://www.monroeinfrared.com/ from time to time.  Thanks Bret!

So now that you have all of your cameras you will need a way to capture the video.  We use VCRs and DVRs.  Well mostly DVRs now.  When we first started we used VCRs because you could buy them so cheaply and we had a few on hand already.  But now you can pick up a DVR pretty cheap.  An advantage to the DVR system is, depending upon your hard drive size, you could record 4 cameras for 30 hours or more.  So this is a good thing for those who like to start early and end early.  But remember you have to watch it all too!  Another advantage is storage, you don't need tapes!  The only draw back we have seen is the pixelation can be a little rough for distances beyond 12-15 feet, so stay in that range and things should be good to go!  No matter which you use you always need time to view all of your video recordings.

Flashlights - Don't forget that you will be walking around in the dark!  Try to get a flashlight that has a red lens cover.  This will make it so the light from your flashlight does not interfere with your infrared cameras.  They will both be working in the same spectrum of light.  Also, it will keep the flashlight from effecting your own ability to see in the dark.

Walkie-Talkies - These can come in handy on the camera setups that are at a distance and keeping teams in constant contact for updates and alerts for possible unsafe conditions.

Dowsing Rods- made of copper and indicate magnetism in certain areas.  The user holds the 2 rods in each hand about 6-8 inches apart and thinks about what you want to find, water, salt, or even spirits.

Special note*  Always...Always...Always have fresh batteries and make sure all your rechargables are charged.

Also label all your work!  Documentation will make or break an investigation so keep track with notes or a log book.  This will help when you are trying to recall an event.