Regional Investigators of the Paranormal (R.I.P.)

Equipment

R.I.P. doesnt necessarily like to "suggest" certain equipment since people and groups alike have their own preferred equipment and ways to research the paranormal. This is a guideline of what can be used and its uses.

35mm Cameras: The style, model, features, color is unimportant as long as its a trustworthy camera (if you are getting them from a place that has a photo lab, ask the techs there for their opinions on the camera you wish to buy or have.)

High Speed Film: This is what REALLY matters. The best film to use is Kodak Gold. I use the new Max which is 800 speed but have also received excellent results with 400 speed. High speed black & white film is also good to use. We usually have two cameras; one with color film and the other with black & white. I understand infrared film is also good to use but you must be very careful or you will ruin it.

Polaroid Camera: R.I.P. has heard many good comments about this camera. It makes a great substitute for those who do not have a digital camera. It's main use is ghost detection. With the polaroids special feature of self-developing film, it makes it easy to find the presence of paranormal activity.

Digital Camera: The best of the best. R.I.P. is rarely disappointed with the performance a digital gives out. Another feature of the camera is if you have a viewable screen on it, you can automatically tell if you are in the presence of a spirit or not. Also, in case you take a few bad shots, you can delete them right off and make room for others. The only bad side about the camera is the batteries, we suggest a re-chargeable batteries.

Audio Tape Recorder: R.I.P. prefers to use a tape deck without a built in radio so you can be sure any sounds you have recorded did not somehow come from the radio. Again, any style will do.

Audio Tape: As with the film, this may be more important than the tape recorder. Use only a good quality, preferably an unopened cassette of high quality and most of all never use a tape that has been previously recorded on.

Multi-Directional Microphone: R.I.P. feels experience-wise that it is far better to use an external microphone rather than the built in one. Most built in microphones don't even do a good job at recording normal conversations much less detecting a ghostly voice.

Sound level meter: This is a very helpful item. It can show you where to place your tape recoder to optimize your chances of recording a spirit. However, it does have to be completely silent for this to work.You can also plug it directly in to your tape recorder through an audio patch cord. This is not a necessary item but it is useful and they are not very expensive. They can be purchased at Radio Shack for less than $40.

Electro Magnetic Field (EMF) detector: We know that spirits need some type of energy to make themselves known in our world. Electricity seems to be the energy of choice. An EMF detector can find electro magnetic fields possibly being generated by an anomoly. Though other sources such as televisions, large appliances, breaker boxes and such will emit enough energy to read on the detector also. If you are getting a reading of 2 milligauss or more and can rule out any interference from known electrical sources you have possibly detected an anomoly.

Temperature Scanner: This is another device wich can be used to detect a spirit anomoly. We know that ghosts can lower or raise the temperature around them. To use this you must take a baseline reading around the room or wherever your at to determine the average temperature. Once you have done that keep scanning. If you detect a temperature deviation of 5 or more degrees you have a potential spirit target. The best type of scanner is a laser thermometer, but even a convienant digital one will do.

Digital Voice Recorder & Micro-Cassette Recorder: For taking notes. Many people prefer a notebook and pen but this is a list of the equipment we use. R.I.P. prefers this method because it saves time and you don't have to fumble around trying to write if your in the dark. Who knows, you may even pick up an anomoly on this recorder.

Video Camera: Very useful, however we only use these on inside investigations.

IR or Nightvision Scope: For those who are a die-hard investigator, this is your tool. It's not cheap, but they have been known to give some of the best results, especially if it is one that can record.

IR Video Equiptment and Recording Device: This is so you can capture video even in the darkest locations. A video capture of a paranormal event is the ultimate evidence.

A special thanks to Hampton Roads Paranormal Research Group for allowing us to use the above information.