r/GhostHunting Mar 03 '25

Equipment Beginner Gear / Apps / Spirit Box Recommendations

119 Upvotes

I've seen a lot of posts lately concerning a couple of topics, so I thought I'd take some time to address them: Beginner Gear, Ghost Apps, and Spirit Boxes. I've also got some general tips for beginners at the end.

Beginner Gear

While the shows and streams everyone watches all have crates and barrels and boxes of gear, you really dont need much to get started. I've compiled a list of gear below that I recommend to every beginner, and in the order that I personally recommend purchasing them (except EMF²).

Remember to be extremely thorough in researching what you buy before placing any orders. Buying directly from the maker or a trusted source helps, but some gear is more useful than others regardless of the source. Also, if the price seems too good to be true ($10 for an SB7?), it probably is. You generally get what you pay for.

Where to Shop
  • Amazon
  • Ghost Stop
  • Walmart, Target, etc.
What to Buy (in this order)
  • Notepad and Pens¹
  • Flashlight and/or Headlamp¹
  • Digital Watch
  • EMF Meter²
  • Digital Voice Recorder³
  • Digital Camera⁴
  • Digital Camcorder⁵

¹ Do not investigate without these!!
² Amazon has EMF meters for $15-30 that, in my experience, work just fine. This can be purchased first or last; it makes little difference for your first few investigations, in my opinion.
³ Your phone will also function as a good voice recorder as well, so you don't need to spend money on that up front.
⁴ ⁵ Your phone will serve these purposes perfectly for at least your first 5 investigations. Save your money until you know this is a hobby you want to pursue.

Ghost Apps

Ghost apps are fake.
All of them, I'm sorry to say. Yes, even that one.

I have yet to come across one that hasn't "responded" while driving down back country roads, highways, and city streets. At all times of the day. I was pulled over on a highway on-ramp once in BFE, and it asked me for help.

It's easy enough to spoof. I was a programmer once upon a time, but it doesn't seem difficult to make, even for me. So I'll tell you how I would do it.

Build a database of common words, set up a script to pop a word at a random amount of time between, say, 15 seconds and 4 minutes... then just throw a fake equalizer graph on there, and Bob's your uncle. You could even make it convincing and use the microphone to make it a real equalizer graph.

Users draw correlations that aren't really there, reviews are positive, and it seems believable enough. Until you use that same app literally anywhere else. I doubt my local Target or Lowe's are haunted.

And if you really wanted to get fancy with your ghost app, you could add additional databases set up for certain geotagged locations. You wouldn't even need to set up the location yourself. Just use scripts to find app usage concentration, then satellite view maps to auto-generate a boundary around the building.

Record the microphone audio and put it through voice recognition software and build a database of common words specific to that location. Names, dates, descriptions, anything repeated often enough can be added. It becomes more believable because the responses are relevant.

You could even add in a volume meter that measures any audible responses from the user(s) to determine how strongly a word is associated with a given location.

All that to say, as a former programmer, my advice is to do as I do: approach every 'ghost' app with a HEAVY dose of skepticism. In my experience, they're garbage at best and a waste of money at worst.

Other Apps to be Aware of

Ovilus-Type and Ghost Library Apps

An app that gives your phone a dictionary and allows it to function like an Ovilus or similar is in a gray territory for me. I'm not even sure I believe those devices actually facilitate communication with spirits. What I do know is that if a spirit could use your phone to communicate, they would've done so already. As such, these apps are highly suspect, to say the least.

Spirit Box Apps

An app that claims to be a spirit box simply can't function the same as the physical device. They sweep through AM/FM frequencies, and if your phone doesn't have the physical hardware to pick up these frequencies, it's a fake app.

Thermal Imaging / Ghost Detection Apps

That goes double for any special camera apps, like thermal imaging or supposedly detecting spirits. Likewise, no app can give your phone the ability to function as an SLS. All of those functions require actual hardware to perform said function. Anything else is fake.

Spirit Boxes

Let me start by saying I dont think anybody new needs to buy a spirit box. If you can afford it, sure. That would be the next thing on the list above. But I would finish that list first. And only when you can afford it. This hobby doesn't have to cost more than $10 to start.

As far as which spirit box to buy, there are a handful out there that have been used by various teams I've seen. Ghost Stop makes one, and theres the SB-7 and SB-11 and their variants (with Active Noise Cancelling funtions or ANC, built-in speakers, flashlights, etc).

Spirit boxes have very specific functionality that you would be hard pressed to find a cheap chinese knock-off that could do the same for much cheaper (looking at you, Ali Express). I remember hearing about some radio hobby kit that can be made into a spirit box, but I'm afraid I have no further info.

What a spirit box does is sweep through radio frequencies, which is why a phone app can't do this as your phone can't receive AM/FM transmissions without specific physical hardware built-in. Much like any 'thermal imaging' app is also fake without a physical camera (either built-in or via USB-C connector like the FLiR ONE), and temperature scanning apps can't actually give you accurate readings without a probe of some sort.

If and when you do purchase a spirit box, I highly recommend also finding a good set of passive noise canceling headphones and a cheap blindfold or sleep mask. This will allow you to perform the Estes Method experiment, which I won't be getting into here as that's a bit off topic.

Tips For Beginners

Put your phone in airplane mode.

Your phone can be useful for taking pictures, recording video, and audio but should not be sending or receiving any data or wireless signal during the investigation (except during breaks).

Get a dedicated illumination source.

Don't rely on your phone to be your light. A headlamp or one that clips to your hat can free up both hands. Consider lights with a red-only illumination setting. Red preserves your ability to see in the dark better than other colors.

There's an old adage I like to apply to my flashlight carry: Two is One, One is None. You'll appreciate this at 2am when one dies and you have a spare.

Don't use your phone to check the time.

The bright screen will mess with your night vision. A cheap digital watch with illumination is perfect for this and won't blast your eyes with light.

Take plenty of notes.

I'll say this again: take PLENTY of notes! Who, what, when, where.. what did you hear or see, what time was it, where were you, who else was there, why were you there, or why did you choose that experiment, etc.

Cheap EMF Meters can work.

I have various amazon models ($15 cheapo, handful of $20 models, one that was around $60), a MEL meter, and a MEL-REM-ATDD. Readings seem to vary across models, but when placed near an electeical source, all devices reacted as expected. They all perform the function they are advertised to perform. To what degree they assist in locating spirits is undetermined. Do with that what you will, and choose to purchase an EMF meter or not. This one is purely up to you.

Your first real purchase should be a quality digital voice recorder.

Aside from a flashlight and a notepad, you need one of these. Look for immediate playback functions, but focus on quality microphones. Your first $100 or so should theoretically go towards purchasing one of these.

IR cameras need illumination!

Ensure your cameras have the ability to record images or videos in infrared. When possible, bring extra IR illumination. Turning off your camera's light and using an external source can save on camera battery. There are also ways to add additional external batteries and lights. You can even find cheap camera brackets and handles, mount it all together, and make your own grips.

Cameras with Burst Mode are better.

A camera shooting multiple frames at a time can make it easier to actually see if you may have caught anything. If one picture is good, a dozen pictures showing an entity moving would be a trophy catch and all the more difficult to disprove.

I hope this helps. Let me know if I have any mistakes.


r/GhostHunting Jan 27 '23

Mod Update

15 Upvotes

YouTube videos are no longer permitted on r/GhostHunting.

Edit: apologies for the initial short update, I was on my way home from work. Despite directing people to the rules once they sub and implementing a basic account age and karma limit, we have at least two or three posts a day that we are removing consisting of spam; mainly stemming from people trying to promote their own YouTube channels or karma farming. Neither of which are what this sub is aimed towards. We’re quiet mods and we allow a lot of freedom as this sub isn’t particularly problematic, but we do keep a vigilant eye. As much as life allows anyway.

Spam posts, karma farming, troll accounts and posts stemming from YouTube or other social media channels will be removed without warning.


r/GhostHunting 10h ago

Paranormal Investigation Equipment advice needed

1 Upvotes

Hello all! I am an avid believer in the paranormal. I’m not shy to tell people of the things I’ve witnessed. Of course not everyone believes me. My husband and I have started to get some equipment for gathering evidence to support what we know we are experiencing. I’m curious what equipment you use and where you got it from. Sorry if this is not allowed I just don’t want to spend a bunch of money and get scammed. Thanks in advance!


r/GhostHunting 17h ago

Discussion Old Bridge Village - Where Past & Paranormal Coexist

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1 Upvotes

Old Bridge Village Historic District, East Brunswick, New Jersey – where the past and paranormal coexist.

 

Situated at the headwaters of the South River, a tributary of the Raritan, Old Bridge began as a major Lenape village site. Graves and artifacts have been found throughout the neighborhood.

 

In 1727, Indian sachem Weequehela shot and killed a local tavern keeper who cheated him out of lands. This was the first, but not the last, murder to take place in the village.

 

Washington’s Army passed through the village in 1778 and Simcoe’s Queens Rangers led local militia into an ambush here in 1779.

 

In 1909, an elderly widow, blind with age, was murdered when four local boys broke into her house, looking for alleged money.  In the 1950’s, a local postman was murdered by his wife and her lover. Human remains were found decades later, but never investigated.

 

The Alice Appleby DeVoe Memorial Library building, occupied by the Appleby family for eighty years, has a multitude of paranormal activity, as do several other buildings in Old Bridge Village. Apparitions, voices, unexplained sounds are remnants and reminders of the past.

 

Since 2002, walking tours have told these stories.

 

Please see the link Facebook Link for much more information or email me at  [richwalling@hotmail.com](mailto:richwalling@hotmail.com)


r/GhostHunting 23h ago

Looking For Like Minded People

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1 Upvotes

r/GhostHunting 2d ago

Paranormal Investigation Group(C.A.P.A.) (non-profit) looking for homes, businesses, etc to investigate

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1 Upvotes

r/GhostHunting 2d ago

Question Coincidence?

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1 Upvotes

r/GhostHunting 2d ago

Paranormal Investigation Did an EVP session tonight in my sons room.

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0 Upvotes

My kids are not home this weekend. My partner was fast asleep. A bluetooth speaker would really highlight it, but these knocks aren't me. Or my partner. We've been having issues on the paranormal side of things lately: the other day, in the room I recorded this in we saw a figure. Kids hearing us call their name when we didn't. One instance of my youngest son talking to something about "sinners", and so on. Earlier an EVP even said it wanted to attack my son. The air has been heavier in the house as well. We plan on purifying the house again; Im not going to speak of it in too much detail but something has been messing with my youngest son. Before she (my partner) went to bed, we caught a lot of worrying things. Mainly, there's something here that admitted to giving my son nightmares in an EVP. If you don't believe me thats totally fine but for those that do, we need tips on how to force it out of the house. DM only please so I know you read this and are serious about helping.

EDIT: THERE IS NO VOICE JUST A BUNCH OF ODD KNOCKING. Sorry for my lack of clarity


r/GhostHunting 3d ago

Haunted spots near Centerville GA

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1 Upvotes

r/GhostHunting 4d ago

Equipment gear for hunting?

6 Upvotes

hi! after getting my mental health in order, i am doing all sorts for myself! and something ive always wanted to do is ghost hunt!

im very spiritual and a medium, so very familiar with everything but i don't know what cameras would be best? i have mics already bc i make social media content but i just use my phone for filming. as for anything else, please let me know!

i figured y'all were the best ones to ask!!

tysm!


r/GhostHunting 5d ago

Spirit Box vs White noise

5 Upvotes

So i just watched a debunk spirit box video and he proved the voices were just snipits of songs and voices on the radio. If we are using the stations to create white noise for the spirits to talk through, couldn't we just use a white noise maker? OR, what about going back and forth between three to four stations that we know are just static...

Tonight's my first night looking all this up so go easy on me.


r/GhostHunting 5d ago

Warren Occult Museum in Salem

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0 Upvotes

r/GhostHunting 5d ago

Paranormal Investigation Lack of very bright flashlights in ghost hunts are somewhat dissapointing

0 Upvotes

Its something I noticed from videos, tours, people who do ghost hunts etc is that they always use the typical standard flashlights instead of ones thatre like approaching tens of thousands of lumens. Why is this the case esp for those who have the budget?


r/GhostHunting 6d ago

What stories do you have from Mansfield Reformatory ?

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2 Upvotes

r/GhostHunting 6d ago

Creating a team

8 Upvotes

Hey guys I am creating a team where we post our horror experience and learn about new ghost so I want to ask people to join and have fun share the experience is and lunch into the world of horror to understand the dark side


r/GhostHunting 6d ago

Need a team

5 Upvotes

Hello I am bags I need a team of friends to discuss and explore paranormal activity that happened to us or in videos


r/GhostHunting 6d ago

Creating a team

2 Upvotes

Hey guys I am creating a team where we post our horror experience and learn about new ghost so I want to ask people to join and have fun share the experience is and lunch into the world of horror to understand the dark side


r/GhostHunting 7d ago

BEST APP FOR DEAF PEOPLE - ANDROID

3 Upvotes

Hi! i'm fully deaf so rely on text based stuff/captions too you know. so im looking for a GENUINE text based responses ghost apps that are on android. i currently am using Ghost Hunting Tools, Ghostube SLS.

Any responses would be greatly appreciated.

PS i'm also into the SLS stuff too!

Thankyou,

Christine


r/GhostHunting 7d ago

Planning on ghost hunting

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1 Upvotes

r/GhostHunting 7d ago

“Haunted Nevada State Prison: My Solo Paranormal Investigation”

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1 Upvotes

r/GhostHunting 7d ago

please help me with my thesis

1 Upvotes

I am exploding. Hi, I am an italian student and I need to start my thesis in October. I would like to do a short documentary about strange phenomena, paranormal experiences, people who live with these everyday…basically a research about whether an afterlife can exist, and whether I can experience these phenomena too. I wrote to 20/25 associations and people in England, Scotland and Ireland, (College of psychic studies, Rebecca Beattie, Chris Howley and so on…) and almost nobody can help me (the other half didn’t answer).

As a inspiring video-maker, I never find people who can help me with my projects and I am losing really hope. I don’t know even why now I am graduating from university in Contemporary Art, when I keep looking for contacts to succeed in this industry but with no answer back….

Please if you can help me, I drop here my Instagram @vviolaofelia to show you I am a trustworthy person, willing to move to some country for my thesis, please give me an opportunity. It could be a good chance also for you to be in a documentary.

Thank you in advance xx


r/GhostHunting 8d ago

Paranormal Investigation How to Find Locations

6 Upvotes

Hi there! Me and my partner are wanting to start getting into more serious investigations. How do people typically go about finding locations? We don’t really want to do an organized tour with a big group of people. We have started to obtain some equipment and feel like we’re ready to branch out in our own but aren’t really sure how or where to start. We are located in Maryland for reference. Any advice is appreciated!


r/GhostHunting 8d ago

Haunted Hotel or Air BNB in Salem

1 Upvotes

Going to Salem, MA at the end of September & hoping to book a place to stay that has paranormal activity…. Any suggestions?


r/GhostHunting 9d ago

Paranormal Investigation Arvada CO - Good spots

3 Upvotes

My wife has been wanting to go investigating solo for a while now. Does anyone know of places in CO? We're looking for somewhere we can go at night alone with a group of friends to do some simple beginner investigating and recording. It's ok if it's a ways outside of Arvada / Denver, more concerned with a good experience than any6thing else :)


r/GhostHunting 9d ago

Haunted Midwest

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2 Upvotes