Paranormal Realm Realities

MEL-8704R-REM

2011-08-29T20:57:00.001-07:00

Here is what the manufacturer says:

EMF - Ambient Temp. - Red Flashlight - EMF Radiating Antenna
Detects EMF & Cold Spots Simultaneously
Selectable units of deg. F/C
EMF "Burst" Mode Feature for Rapid EMF Detection
Easy to see "Red Night View" Backlight Display with On/Off Button
Glow in The Dark Push Buttons
Fast Response Thermocouple Temperature Sensor
Record Feature Captures Min & Max Values
Selectable Sound for REM detection
REM Multi-Color lights correlate to signal strength
50 & 60 Hz operation
30Hz to 300Hz response
REM Feature radiates 360 deg.
Accuracy of 5% at 50-60Hz
Instantaneous Response To REM Field Interruption
9Vdc Operation

Pro's in real world conditions:

The meter is still amazing at accurate emf measurements down to 0.1mg, and the fast response ambient air temperature readout. The flashlight works great for dark rooms. You can see roughly 15-20ft if your eye sight is good:) The antenna for the REM feature is shorter than you might expect which is nice to carry or sit anywhere. The color coded lights, and audible tones are great for strength of the REM feature. Battery life is good at almost 13hrs and still running strong.

Con's in real world conditions:

I wouldn't say it is a con, but with the MEL-REM you have to make sure you hold the meter loosely at the bottom of the unit. Otherwise the signal will detect your hand, and you will get possible false readings.

Overall I would rate this device a 10 out of 10 making it a perfect addition to any team's arsenal of investigation tools. You get your EMF levels, ambient air temperature, red flashlight, touch sensor device, the option to turn the audible sensor on/off, run the REM function separately, as well as record the highest and lowest emf readings in a room to document them. You can add this to your equipment bag by going to DAS Distribution today!

REM-POD Amp

2011-08-29T20:49:00.001-07:00

Here is what the manufacturer says:

Easy to View Bright RED, GREEN, BLUE & Yellow Indication
Audible Tones Correlating To Field Disturbance
Glow in the Dark Surface Allows Easy Visibility (Glows for 24 hrs.)
9Vdc Operation
Instantaneous Response To Field Fluctuations & Spikes
Toggle Switch ON/OFF
Mini Telescopic Antenna provides 360 Degree Coverage
New Amplified REM-Pod with 3X Sensitivity Increase
Response Time: 100msec.

Pro's in real world conditions:

I have to say, as far as a device this one is bar none the best I have ever used or tested! There are clear led indicators, and the audible tones can be heard from the other side of a house! The camera's pick it up great in the dark or light conditions. The battery life is great, it is a solid device not feeling flimsy in your hand. It runs off of one 9v battery, and ours is still going after approximately 12hrs of use.

Con's in real world conditions:

While I wouldn't say there are any con's about the unit there are some things to be aware of while using the device. If you can stray away from any close conductor source (i.e ground wire for a building, transformer packs, etc..) you will not get false readings. These will amplify the device beyond normal conditions.

My overall rating for the REM-POD Amp from DAS Distribution is a 10 out of 10. It is literally the only device that can be used to verify something is able to "touch" things. Giving investigators, and researchers solidity on camera that something can manipulate and distort an energy field. You can pick them up directly from DAS Distribution

Phantom Lite Full Spectrum Illuminator

2011-06-30T12:33:00.000-07:00

Here is what the manufacturer says:
30 LED Full Spectrum Illuminator

5 Infrared LEDS, 5 Red LEDS, 5 Blue LEDS, 5 Green LEDS, 5 Ultraviolet LEDS. then another 5 Infrared LEDs. Can use on all night vision equipped camera/camcorders. Works great with the SVP Full Spectrum camcorder. 45 ft distance, 9v battery powered, tripod adapter included. Gives you a extra row of Infrared LEDs 30 instead of 25 LEDs. Doubles the original FS plus still gives you the full light spectrum! Limited quantity's. Battery life will suffer a little with more LEDs but it is worth it!

Pro's in real world conditions:
This light is bright enough to not need a flashlight while using it
If you have a full spectrum(including visible light) camera it pulls colors out!
The battery life is amazing, lasting far more than 12hrs already. (may vary)
It is very lightweight even with the battery in.
The mount affixed to the bottom makes in compatible with any standard screw mount.
When you have to change the battery, it is effortless, and you never have to even take it off of your adapter, or bracket.
It provides enough light to see quite some distance (2 can go quite a ways!)

Con's in real world conditions:
The only one I have encountered is wanting to look at the lights in the dark.

My overall rating for this illuminator is 5 out of 5. It provides ample light for the full spectrum camera's and camcorders that see visible light. The battery life is quite amazing giving that it has 30 led's total. The extra row of infrared led's is an added benefit keeping the UV and color led's from drowning the IR out. The light weight of the unit really makes you feel comfortable again holding a video camera. Even with two lights attached to our assembly with the camcorder, you really couldn't tell there were two illuminators there at all. With the full spectrum lights it was pretty hard not to look at them in the dark. If you have sensitive eyes, I wouldn't recommend looking at them even in the daytime. The led's are extremely bright in all colors except of course the UV, and IR. You can also use these illuminators with any sony camcorder that has night shot on them. So whether you have a full spectrum camcorder, or a standard IR camcorder you can still purchase and use this light efficiently. If you haven't purchased one of these lights yet, I would say give it a shot! The only thing you have to lose is evidence. You can jump to Phantom Lite and order one today. You will see the difference immediately. We now own 3 of these illuminators, and can happily say that!

P-SB7 Spirit Box

2011-06-24T10:05:00.001-07:00

Here is what the manufacturer says:
The P-SB7 utilizes a milli-second adjustable Forward or Reverse frequency "sweep" technique coupled with a proprietary high frequency synthetic noise or "white noise" distributed between frequency steps. The New 2011 model now offers an enhanced FM frequency sweep which includes an additional 119 new frequencies from 76MHz to 87.9MHz. No other Hack Box or Modified radio currently offers this. A seven step adjustable sweep rate provides user flexibility based on individual technique and session circumstances. There are two discreet audio outputs; (1) 15mW Earphone, and (1) 250mW Speaker. A bright EL back light display with manual ON/OFF select is ideal for viewing in the dark. The P-SB7 uses three "AAA" batteries. The P-SB7 is intended to be used by professional investigators to help promote the field of Paranormal ITC Research.

Pro's in real world conditions:
The box is smaller than the "shack hack's" making it easier to carry around
It features a headphone jack, as well as an external speaker jack (both 3.5mm)
The dual jacks give you the option to plug into a recorder, while listening on external speaker.
The adjustable sweep rate gives you the ability to control how fast/slow you want the device to sweep the frequencies.
You can either sweep forward, or reverse through the frequencies, or stop it and select one frequency to stay on.
It produces white noise inbetween scans to give an entity a better chance of broadcasting itself.
The battery life is great, and the back lit display is the perfect brightness in any low light or dark area.

Con's in real world conditions:
There are the skeptics sides which are as follows:
It still picks up radio frequency which may cause interference.
There are the believers sides which are as follows:
It scans the frequencies and cannot pick up a full radio broadcast so it is an entity.

Now to further delve into this debate, if you have the P-SB7 set to FM and have it at high scan of 100ms it is next to impossible to fully stay on a broadcast station long enough to hear a full sentence, a few words, and most of the time an entire word. Alot of people say "Well it depends on where you live." Which is true. I live in a larger city with tons of radio stations on FM and Am, and so far I have not heard an entire word just scanning. Based on theory, this device is the best one to use if you are testing, and researching ITC with frequency devices. It also scans frequencies we don't have in the states, so when you get a response on those it really makes you double think what everybody has been telling you in the end. You really have to use one, get to know it, and use it in order to appreciate it and properly state your reasons why you don't think it will work. As with any other device used in the field.

My overall rating is 5 out of 5 stars for this device. The build quality, options, size, and reliability make this device thoroughly stand out among any of its competitors.

We offer a great price with free shipping from our website equipment section.

Fuji Full Spectrum Digital Pro Camera

2011-05-31T07:50:00.000-07:00

Here is the factory specs on this device:

True 12.2 MegaPixels
HD Video Clips
18x Optical Zoom
Wide Angle Lens
Auto or Total Control
Up to 16 GB SD Card supported
Movie Mode
Built in Flip Flash
Super Macro mode
Excellent Picture Quality
Dual Image Stabilization
Panorama Mode
Full Spectrum Conversion
UV from 300 nm
IR to 1100 nm
Full visible spectrum
Flash emits IR and UV
Adjustable shutter speed for total
darkness applications
Includes:

Neck/Shoulder Strap
4 “AA” batteries
USB – AV Cable
Lens Cap
CD-ROM: FinePix Viewer

Pro's in real world conditions:
lightweight
compact compared to a dslr
battery life
picture quality
high light sensitivity
custom options for shooting
video option with audio
super crisp pictures
picks up deep IR to UV unlike most "full spectrum" cameras
does not need the flash for shots in the dark
daytime shots are as easy as a standard digital camera
comfortable to hold
very cost efficient
professional options without complicated settings
large live view lcd (switchable to viewfinder on demand)
autofocus light gives a perfect focus in the dark

Con's in real world conditions:
has a 1-2 second delay between shots if it is set to lcd live
recording hd video picks up the lens auto focusing

Our overall use of this device has been an amazing experience! We were looking at purchasing a DSLR and separate lenses to take photo's in the different spectrum's, until this camera caught our eye at The Ghost Hunter Store. It had all the features we were looking for on a DSLR, but the cost was more than half, and the full spectrum was a given since we wouldn't have to buy separate lenses saving even more money. The battery life is very good for the resolution it is offering as well. It takes 4 aa batteries, and we can get through about 280 pictures before they die. At full 12mp that isn't bad at all. For lighting in the dark, you don't need (and you will see why when you buy one) an illuminator if you have any type of ambient IR or UV light in the room at all. When I tested this camera, just 4 IR led's were bright enough to almost flare out a small bedroom.
With this camera you could literally go outside, set it for a 4 second exposure on a tripod, hit the delay shutter, and capture an entire city in all of it's spectrum's. Try it after you buy it! You will be amazed at how many different spectrum's come alive when the sun goes down. This camera gets a 5 out of 5, and possibly a 6 for extra credit given the full spectrum feature. You can jump over to The Ghost Hunter Store to grab one of these ASAP. You will be amazed at the quality, and comfort of this amazing device, and use it on every investigation you attend in the future. After you get to know the camera, it goes from a piece of equipment you use, to an addiction you call equipment.

EVP Field Processor (EFP)

2011-05-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

Here is what the manufacturer says:

The E.F.P.'s "real time, high visibility" green with red
center LED display, allows others to view E.V.P. responses
easily in dark locations. This feature allows users the
ability to capture E.V.P. evidence on video. The device
has a "white noise/ambient noise baseline adjustment"
allowing the user, to set the baseline level on the devices
illuminated scale. This provides a "visual reference" to
see in real time any "addition" or "reduction" of
proprietary frequency noise. The E.F.P.'s built in circuitry
amplifies input signals to high levels allowing users to
visually monitor E.V.P. responses at higher resolution. The
input to the device has (1) 3.5mm stereo plug used to
connect to any recording devices live audio output
(earphone). The E.F.P. also has (1) 3.5mm audio output
which can be used for earphone or mp3 type speakers.
The E.F.P. has a "manual on/off switch" and built in "push
button single LED navigational light". The E.F.P. operates
on one standard "9volt" battery. The current regulation
circuitry in the device provides hours of use.

Pro's in real world conditions:
The unit is lightweight
fairly compact design
led's signal audio spikes
the white led is a great flashlight
connects to any recorder with a 3.5mm headphone jack
manually adjustable "baseline"
very sensitive to sound

Con's in real world conditions:
It doesn't pick up distant voices very well
the battery life doesn't last too long
it doesn't have an on/off indicator
needs a possible extra feature

When we use the EFP during investigations we usually have another recorder running right with it. We have found that since there is no indicator light for on/off, we have left it on unknowingly and of course the battery died. The unit is really lightweight by itself, and even with the recorder attached to it. It feels really solid as far as construction, and the led's are definitely bright enough to notice. It does take some time to get used to how the readout works, but once you pick up on it there is no trouble's. The white led on the top of the unit is a great little flashlight for when you are just moving around the room and need a little bit of light. It is definitely not for long hallways, or anything of those sorts. We picked ours up from The Ghost Hunters Store for around $165 or so. If you are just looking for a piece of equipment to add to what you already have for high quality evp sessions this would be an awesome addition. If you are a start up team, or just a solo hobbyist in the area. I would recommend building up your audio arsenal before purchasing one of these (unless you can pick one up on ebay or something for half price). The main thing this can boast is that it offers flashy blinking led's, but it just shows you the volume input coming into your recorder. If you have some of the lower end models of voice recorders such as RCA's, some sony's, etc.... you will want to check to see if you have "live" capabilities. To test this put on some headphones, plug them into your headphone jack of your recorder and hit record. When you talk you should hear yourself right then. If you can't hear anything, DON'T buy this for that recorder! It requires you have that feature in order to use it.
Due to some digging around I found this EFP at evpfieldprocessor.com for $145. Overall, it is a neat little tool to provide visual aid, but nothing amazing has come from this device (yet).

Don't forget to visit us at www.spokaneparanormalteam.com, we have new tutorials for equipment being posted frequently, as well as on YouTube.

RT-EVP

2011-05-09T09:41:00.001-07:00

Here is what the manufacturer says:

Operates as a Standard EVP Voice Recorder ( Real Time OFF )
Operates as a Standard EVP Voice Recorder with Simultaneous Real Time Audio File Extraction (Playback is 1sec to 60sec)
Operates as an EVP Recorder with White Noise added.
Amplify Ambient Sounds up to 81.5dB with the Recorder ON or OFF to hear very low level voices and sounds.
Operates in FM Frequency Sweep Mode with Multi Step Speed Adjustment from 50mS to 110mS
Operates in FM Frequency Sweep & EVP Combination (Hybrid Mode) with Simultaneous Playback
Frequency Sweep Forward or Reverse
Intelli-Q, Real Time Data Analysis, permits Audio and Sweep Frequency sounds to be Repeated without Interfering with your Recording Session

Pro's in real world conditions:
The adjustable sensitivity is amazing!
The playback volume is adjustable making it easier to perfect the experience
Operation of the unit is easy
It allows what is called "real time" analysis (not to be confused with live)
It has a "ghost box" feature built in for ghost box enthusiasts
Transfer time is quick to almost every pc
back lit display for evp sessions in low light/dark
record pause function for less files to transfer
Features true stereo recording of left and right channels
compact design and very slim
If you run out of battery power it automatically save your evp session's

Con's in real world conditions:
The ear buds that came with the unit (January 2011)
If you don't adjust the volume, and input correctly it will make an echo effect
The cost depending on your budget

The overall analysis of the RT-EVP recorder from DAS Distributions Inc. is amazing! This has been the first and only device where you can listen to your evp session in real time analysis. Unlike alot of misconceptions about the unit, it stands alone compared to any Sony, or Zoom recorder. The difference is the RT-EVP offers real time playback, meaning it processes the audio before it hits your ears. With the others it only offers live review meaning that you won't hear an evp when it happens. Unless that evp is loud enough to be heard with your ears, which would then become a voice phenomena. The unit is very lightweight, slim, and well built. With the ear bud's that came with the unit I was experiencing difficulties with an echo from the ear bud, to the microphone. A simple solution was just cutting one of the ear bud's off.

I also found out an awesome feature that the recorder offers. If you are in the middle of an evp session, and your batteries die before you can save the file, it automatically saves it for you before it powers down. Allowing you to keep the session and not have to start over. The interface was confusing at first (as with anything new), but after a few hours of just messing around with it, I had the functions down pat. This recorder was so good, that we had decided to actually sell our Zoom H2 recorders to purchase another RT-EVP recorder. As most who use Zoom's know, it's hard to find a recorder in that budget that will beat it. So if you hear mixed reviews, it may be because either it has too many features for that user, or they simply don't know how to work the device.

For the "ghost box" enthusiasts, this recorder has been a long time coming and a heaven sent for you as well. It not only incorporates more frequencies to sweep compared to a conventional ghost box, but you now have the ability to record in the same device! You have full control of the settings of the ghost box as well. How fast you want it to scan, how far up/down in the frequency you want it to scan, as well as if you want it to scan the frequencies forward, or reverse! This way you can take your experiments to the next level.

The device is fairly priced at $289 directly from Pro-Measure HERE and if you have any questions, they are always more than happy to answer them for you during their business hours. They literally take customer service to the next level.

Don't forget to visit Spokane Paranormal Team's website, and we are also making video tutorials for RT-EVP owner's, and future customers on our youtube channel HERE

Sony ICD-PX720 Voice Recorder

2011-05-04T08:01:00.000-07:00

Here is what the manufacturer says:
Whether you're in a class, meeting or lecture, the ICD-PX720 digital voice recorder is ideal for your note-taking and recording needs. Featuring four recording modes and up to 280 hours of recording capacity, this ultra-portable device is your all-in-one recording solution. It even records in MP3 format with no conversion necessary. Additionally, files are easy to transfer and you can send your recordings at the push of a button. Organize and edit your recordings into five convenient message folders. Digital voice recorder software and USB cable are also included

Pro's in real world conditions:
Recording quality is great
Playback volume is great
Functionality is easy for beginners
Records in MP3 format
Battery Life is at least four 8hr investigations
Data transfer time is very fast

Con's in real world conditions:
No back lit display for dim lighting
Data transfer requires the sony software
during review, if you don't hold the rewind button it will restart the entire file

The overall analysis for the sony ICD-PX720 voice recorder is (great). For only having to spend $95 online, or in most walmart's $55 it is a great small investment. You do have the ability to set the recording sensitivity. We found the best recording results are found with the following settings.
Mic sensitivity: High
Recording Format: SP
This will give you the quality you are looking for, but keep the frequency in what you are trying to capture. The ICD-PX720 is also very light with the batteries installed, and you can carry it anywhere. If you are one who likes to carry a voice recorder, I found that if you place it in a sleeve with a neck lanyard, then cut a hole for the mic it cuts out all the sound from handling the unit. It like any recorder makes alot of noise while holding it, due to your fingers rubbing on the plastic. It also has a 3.5mm microphone, and headphone jack. This model also gives you the option to put headphones in and listen to what is being recorded at the same time. Giving you that "real time" effect. If you do have headphones in, I recommend not walking, or moving around. You will hear your footsteps on your headphones, and be looking around more than investigating.
Remember that it is the ICD-PX series, not the ICD-BX series. The difference is being able to transfer the data to pc. The BX series is not usb capable, keeping the audio file strictly to the recorder.

Remember to visit Spokane Paranormal Team's site Here.

Sony HLV-IRM

2011-04-25T08:36:00.001-07:00

Here is what the manufacturer says:

The Sony HVL-IRM emits an infrared beam to extend the range of your camcorder's NightShot operation. Has adjustable light output and works with camcorders that don't have Sony's intelligent accessory shoe. Powered by 2 AA batteries or InfoLithium batteries NP-FM50/QM71/QM91.

IR Nightshot
This light is specifically for IR night shooting.
Adjustable
This IR light has an adjustable IR level control.
AA Battery
This unit can be powered by AA batteries along with M series Infolithium.

Lamp Type 2 Watt Infrared
Mount Type Cold Shoe
or supplied bracket
Power Source 7.2 VDC Infolithium M Series
or 2 AA Batteries
Power Consumption 2 Watt
Power Connector M Series Battery Type
or AA Battery Connectors
Dimensions (WxDxH) 1.8 x 1.7 x 4"
4.6 x 1.7 x 1.8cm
Weight 0.21 lbs
90 grams

Here are our results:
Pro's:
compact in size
feel's durable
did not break in our 5' drop test
easy to attach to a flash mount bracket

Con's:
Battery life is short lived
for an amateur user they may be lost
figuring out the exact level of light can be tricky
various settings will make it hard to dial in, in the dark
It has a major spotlight effect

So after testing out this illuminator for sony I was surprisingly unhappy. I was thinking SONY! Has to be good. Nope, it was the exact opposite in fact. I had purchased high capacity batteries at 2300mAh which is a long life battery for AA's. I got only 1hr out of them before it was too dim to see over the camcorders IR led built in. The settings were a bit tricky compared to a simple on/off and your good to go feature. The light did go about 35' at full intensity, which is decent but you have to say goodbye to that hour. In order to maintain that battery life, you have to keep it on the "barely there" setting so it doesn't consume the life of the batteries. So in a 6 hour long investigation you are looking at 12 AA batteries of 2300mAh which will total $60.00 IF you get the rechargeable batteries, you will have to keep 12 charged plus a few just in case it is colder. All in all, if you are wanting something just to take a few pics yeah this light would be great just because you can adjust the light strength. If you are needing video light, I would forget about the sony. Too many batteries, too little time. Changing the batteries in this light 6 times would waste a total of 20 minutes on an investigation. Who wants that?
I found these cheapest at a company called d2d electronics for about $48 after shipping. So $48 for the light, and $60 for batteries totals this little light up to $108 before you can complete 1 six hour long investigation.

Don't forget to visit Spokane Paranormal Team's website to stay up to date.

Phantom Lite IR Pro

2011-04-21T06:43:00.001-07:00

The Phantom Lite IR Pro. Here is what the manufacturer says about it:

The Best Infrared Illuminator on the Market! Invented, Designed, hand built and tested by a real paranormal investigator of over 12 years

For use on all Infrared capable cameras/camcorders ie: Sony night shot or custom IR cameras like the SVP and most of security cameras.

25 LED Phantom Lite Infrared Illuminator that features, 50ft distance,9v battery powered that last up to 12 hours on one battery! 25 Wide angle LEDs. Every one is hand built and tested ensuring that you receive nothing but the brightest and longest lasting illuminators to date PERIOD!
IR Pro adds a all black lid with a Red diffuser window. Super nice!

Here are the pro's to this illuminator:
Battery life! (This will run an entire investigation no problem)
Easy to mount to a flash bracket, or tripod
The battery takes a standard 9v making it easy to change
The battery compartment is super easy to access
The power switch is conveniently placed on the upper side of the housing
It is light as a total illuminator

Here are the con's to this illuminator:
This illuminator works on MOST camcorders (explained later in the article)
Possibly the cost depending on how many you need
The size is not the smallest, but not the largest (a bit bulky, but understandable)

So we got the opportunity to use one of the first of these illuminators built, and Randy from Phantom Lites LLC was kind enough to do this. We were able to get the light literally minutes before going to our investigation. While using the IR Pro version, we noticed that is wasn't picking up to well on our Sony HD video camera. So we tried it on the mini-dv camcorder. There was a noticeable difference compared, so we then used it on our SVP full spectrum camcorder and WOW!! I would say if you are going to use these Pro IR illuminators for video, full spectrum video and photo would be the best target for this particular light. In fact the illuminator was so bright for our full spectrum fuji digital camera, that I couldn't use it in smaller rooms due to the IR flooding the room and flaring out the picture. These units are also not bad for the cost at $53.99.
I conducted our 5' drop test, and nothing happened to the unit. The construction of the device is very sound. No squeaks, cracks, or chips from the fall. If you have been using an illuminator that only last at most 1 hour, I would say jump over and grab this IR light. You will save money in the long run just on batteries, and we all know how expensive those can be. For the size of the unit it was very decent. We didn't have any issues with not being able to open the screen to the mini-dv's or hd's. The battery compartment is located on the backside of the housing towards the top. Yes it sounds weird, BUT Randy knew what he was doing with this. How many times have you changed a battery and had to take the light off of your bracket or tripod to do that? With his on the top side, you can leave that light attached which also saves time. This could be that crucial few minutes that an apparition walks right in front of you, and you would have had your camera setup torn apart before.
So all in all, I would recommend heading over to Phantom Lite LLC, and at least taking a look. For the battery life and quality, you may be surprised at how fast you purchase one. We did:)

Don't forget to check out Spokane Paranormal Team's website for updates on team news, investigations, equipment, and so on.

Sima SL-20IR

2011-04-20T06:52:00.000-07:00

The ever popular Sima SL-20IR illuminator is covered. Here is what the manufacturer says about it:

Light up the night with Sima's popular infrared light
Sima’s new Infrared Video Light enables you to film in near and absolute darkness. 36 infrared LEDs act
as an invisible light source that you can’t see but your camcorder can.
Don’t be afraid of the dark - with an effective range of up to 75’, the SL-20IR lights up the night.
Must use 'night mode' setting on your device for light to properly work.

So when we used this illuminator here is what we found to be the upside of these lights.
Illuminator did illuminate an entire room.
The charge indicator works as described.
Connection to camera/ flash mount adapter was easy.
Decent size and easy on/off access

Now with the benefits come the con's.
The battery life was horrible.
The light felt flimsy.
We had to constantly switch lights out
If the battery dies, you have to know how to repair the item.

So with that said, here is a written analysis of the unit. The Sima SL-20IR did do a great job illuminating while it stayed charged, which was only 38 minutes before the battery died. Now usually we would just exchange batteries and be on our way. Not with the sima however. They incorporate an internal rechargeable battery that takes 2-3 hours to fully charge. On an investigation this is a pain, and you would need to buy quite a few of these in order to have lighting while the others are charging up.
For illumination we couldn't even get close to 75', we got closer to 39' which still wasn't too bad, for $34 being the lowest price we could find HERE. All in all, if you have the money to go out and purchase at least 4 of these illuminators it is worth it. If you don't have the money, or the patience this illuminator will cause you more headache than it will joy. Charge time, and battery life are one of the most important things to investigators, and if you can't use your time sparingly then it seems to be just a waste of time.

Don't forget to visit www.spokaneparanormalteam.com, and accounts here are free to keep up to date for every post. Who knows, you might learn something:)

This Week

2011-04-18T07:34:00.000-07:00

Hello All,

This week I will be covering illuminators of all sorts. From IR which almost every paranormal team has, to "full spectrum" which alot of teams have now. I will cover average battery life, distance inside/outside, durability, where to get them, and any difficulties my team has encountered. I will also cover the popular "homemade" IR illuminator at a random day, which should surprise alot of you that read this. I will also cover what infrared light is, how it works, and how you may misconstrue infrared light and end up wasting money on the wrong one! Not all infrared light is the same when you buy an illuminator, or the led's to build your own. So this week (possibly two) will be great for info on how to better understand the complications of light, and how to make it benefit you as an investigator.

Also if you haven't yet, don't forget to make a FREE account here to follow the blog. Our topics, and information will start to get more in depth, and I will also breakdown alot of the more advanced electronics that we use in almost every investigation.

K2 Meter

2011-04-14T09:23:00.000-07:00

Here is what the manufacturer says:

Push Tab to Turn "On" Push Tab to Turn "Off"
Easy to read LED Display
50 & 60 Hz operation
Five level milliGauss ranges
For indoor and outdoor use
Durable plastic case
Operates for months on a single 9V battery
Detects the ELF range (50 to 1,000Hz) & VLF range (1,000 to 20,000Hz)

Real world investigations and use:
The 9v battery will last you a long time
The led isn't easy to read unless you memorize where the led to milligauss ratio is
The meter is easily manipulated by radio frequency transmitters (i.e cellphones, wireless internet routers, walkie talkies, etc...)
The size is decent, but the quality doesn't feel "sturdy" sometimes
Dropping from a 5' height has only put dents in the corners.

Now TONS of people buy these meters for one simple reason. They saw it on television commonly used by a SyFy show. While it is true that these emf meters do detect EMF they also have a very bad habit of picking up on radio frequency and reading it out as well. This is a major downfall for any investigator. Why? If you are even trying to get base readings and there are any wireless devices on it will pick up those radio waves and start giving readings. Most people assume that a "blip" on the meter is a spike in EMF. This is usually not the case with these meters. A "blip" in translation means radio frequency broadcast. While a steady reading with no flashing will indicate a true emf source. Alot of people also use these to "communicate". I don't know why really, besides the fact that it was again "on tv". These emf meters have that very large fatal flaw in them rendering them for the most part useless for finding accurate emf levels, not to mention the fact that they don't give a constant linear readout. The levels jump so far between, that you really have to guess what the actual readout is. If you do purchase this emf detector, a tip is to use it along side another more accurate detector. This will not only give you validation of a true emf reading, but you will know more likely the accurate level of that reading.

Another thing to be careful of is the battery post connectors. We have had on occasion the negative terminal actually get torn off of the battery, and stuck onto the connector due to the size being too small. While this hasn't happened on every one we tested, is has happened so please be aware of that. The size of the unit is very decent. If you have large hands, yes you may feel like a giant holding it since it is smaller. Also when you hold the unit, it has that feeling that if you hold it too firmly it may crack. The plastic is thin, but durable. We have dropped it quite a few times, and only resulted in a few small dings on the corners.

All in all, this meter after real world conditions, and testing would not be purchased again by us. It is far too unreliable to spend the $60 on. You could go buy another emf detector for the same price, and get a better readout, and no radio frequency variables. The price is about the same no matter where you go. So we will put a few different links up for you to surf.

The Ghost Hunter Store
kiimeter.com
Ghost Stop

While we have never ordered from kiimeter.com, we can say that the ghost hunter store, and ghost stop have very good shipping times and customer service.

Don't forget to check our website at www.spokaneparanormalteam.com to follow by email and stay up to date with investigations, techniques, and new equipment!

Tri Field Natural EM Meter

2011-04-11T08:27:00.000-07:00

These have become an "iconic" emf meter. Here is what the manufacturer says:

A meter that detects small changes in natural DC fields and some radio transients. It detects changes in extremely weak static (DC or "natural") electric and magnetic fields, and signals with both a tone and the movement of a needle-type gauge if either the electric or magnetic field changes from previous levels. The meter is sensitive to changes of as little as 0.5% of the strength of the Earth's magnetic field, and the tone will sound whether the field increases or decreases. It is so sensitive that it can detect the presence of a person through a wall. After the meter detects an event, when the magnetic field then becomes stable for more than about five seconds, the tone will stop and the needle will return to zero.

Here are some pro's about this device in the real world scenario:
It is very, very sensitive.
You can leave it alone to do it's job
It has an audible alert
The battery life is great depending on use
Durable and very accurate device

Here are some con's about this device in the real world scenario:
Sometimes it is too sensitive
You cannot walk around with it
Anything within its range will eventually set it off
You can't tell if a wire from the room next to you made it go off
It doesn't have a backlit display for dark viewing
Kind of spendy for a stationary device

So here is our review overall. Don't buy these emf detectors unless you already have a few other meters in your arsenal. Why? Simple really. If you go and spend $200 on one of these and expect to do what the travel channel show does and walk around with them you will be sorely disappointed. These tri field meters self calibrate, so anytime they calibrate and you move they will always go off! These are meant to sit stationary, THAT'S IT! They are so accurate that in fact they will pick up another investigator in the room next to you. This device is super sensitive, and using it to even detect a source of emf would prove difficult for the novice user. They can even be used to see if there is magnetism in a bed frame. Talk about sensitive! These would be best used outdoors, completely clear of anything that may have power, including you and your flashlight. Set up a stationary camera on the emf meter, and walk away. That would be the only way to truly get semi-accurate results. If you want to purchase one of these they are offered from AlphaLab Inc starting at $195.

We hope you learned something new from this, or at least gained some knowledge. We look forward to the next review for you, and don't forget to visit our site at www.spokaneparanormalteam.com

MEL Meter

2011-04-07T08:19:00.000-07:00

The MEL Meter is a very diverse piece of emf measuring equipment. Here is what the manufacturer has to say about it:
ELF Range down to 30Hz ! This is 20Hz lower than the KII.
Custom Dual Display Correlates EMF & Temperature Cold Spots Simultaneously!
EMF "Burst" Mode Feature for Tracking Dynamic EMF movement
Measurement Ranges:
20, 200, 2000 uTesla
200, 2000, 20,000 mGauss
Super Bright Custom Red "Nightview" Display with On/Off Button
Built-in Red IR Safe Flashlight
Fast Response Thermocouple Temperature Sensor
Record Feature Captures Min & Max Values
Tripod mountable

Pro's in real world situations:
The accurate readout of emf down to a .01mg
Ambient air temperature provides fast readout and updates
Red led flashlight is bright enough to navigate the darkest hallway without blinding
you.
Different models provide different upgraded options.
It comes with a certificate of lab calibration!
It has a built in stand for monitoring.
It has a red backlit display to actually see the digital readout.

Con's in real world situations:
It is a bit bulky
It weighs a little bit more than most meters
Cost

An overall view of this emf detector is as follows.
We have found hardly any (if any) issues with our model. The models range from just emf/ambient air, to emf/ambient air temp/k2/record mode/emf burst mode. Note that the record mode doesn't record the full session for measuring em fields! It will only record the highest, and lowest readings on the meter until you hit rec again to stop it. The red light does provide a great flashlight. So depending on which model you buy you can get up to 4 devices built into 1. That really saves room in the equipment case, and the pocket book in the end. For the price as well, it is really decent for the quality of the unit. Just the feel of the device says quality workmanship. We have dropped this from a 5' height and it has not affected it so it would be safe to say table height shouldn't affect this device at all. The battery life has been going for 2 1/2 months strong with no issues. We have the model featuring the emf/k2/ambient air/ rec/ high speed readout. It has replaced all of our other emf detectors. It also features interior shielding to prevent false reading from the MEL emf detector itself. The K2 function is still prevalent to false readings from wireless signals of any type. We hope this review has helped you with the MEL Meter from Pro Measure and they start around $110. If you are looking for a good emf meter, and want to get accurate results this is highly recommended.

Electrosensor EMF Detector

2011-04-06T09:50:00.000-07:00

The Electrosensor Emf meter. One of the smallest emf meters out there today. Here is what the manufacturer says about it.

With the push of a button on the ElectroSensor hand-held meter, you can quickly and accurately measure the level of EMFs emitted by all common electrical appliances and equipment. The LED light bar scale measures from 1.5 to 30 milliGauss. The pick-up coil is located in the tip of the unit which can be rotated for increased directionality.
Specifications: N/A

Pro's for this meter in real world conditions:
Has a 30 milligauss led readout.
Very quick response time.
Very compact! About the size of a bar of soap.
Durable. At a 5' drop it did not crack or affect the device.

Con's for this meter in real world conditions:
The power button is a momentary switch, meaning you have to hold the button down.
The sensor is built into a swivel type head. So accurate readings will be difficult.
The battery life is decent, but only lasts at most 2 months before dying.
It has no indicator of a low battery. You will just see random readings constantly.

After using this device for months, we have found normal flaws as with any device used for paranormal research. We only use this device in conjunction with other emf meters. We have also learned tricks with this device. Such as the issue with having to hold down the tiny button switch on the side of it for power. Just take a hair tie, and wrap it tight. Then you can slide the tie over the switch to keep it on. Also the meter will light up upon activation, but we noticed when the contact is broken there is no indicator. A simple trick to make sure it is still on is to rotate the angled head back and forth a few times. This will vibrate the device enough to light up the led's if it is still on.
All in all, of you are a petite person and don't want a bulky emf meter this is perfect for you! If you have larger hands, you may find yourself with a hand cramp every now and again because of it's small size.The led readout is decent, but since it is small, you really have to strain to see exactly what readout you are getting. There is no extra light source, so a flashlight is required. The unit only runs $25 from scientifics online HERE

I hope this helped get more in depth info about this device, and don't forget to visit us at www.spokaneparanormalteam.com

The Ghost Meter

2011-04-06T09:16:00.000-07:00

Covering the most basic, and most used emf meter available to anybody for a small amount of money is the Ghost Meter. This unit only runs an average of $30.00, making it affordable for any investigator. Whether you are new to the field, or have 20 years into it these are a very popular item. This is what attracts all of its purchasers to it, is by being so inexpensive. Posted are the manufacturer's notes on this meter.

Specifications:
Manufacturer: Technology Alternatives Corp.
Manufacturer Product No.:Ghost Meter
Dimensions: Approximately 5.00" x 2.5"
Power Supply: One 9V battery, sold separately
Detection Range: 0-5 milligauss

Now here is how the item is described:
The Ghost Meter is an accurate instrument with a needle readout that measures from 0 to 5 milligaus and is devoted to monitoring high quality paranormal activity. The Ghost Meter has been calibrated to ignore the extremely subtle EMF emissions surrounding the human body, yet is still sensitive enough to detect the small, distinct, erratic EMF energy fluctuations frequently found at reputed haunted locations. An adjustable audio tone and flashing LED light indicators are built in that allow you to use the meter in the dark or without looking at it and detect activity from far away. It can also be operated in silent mode so it doesn't interfere with EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) recordings or distract other investigators during an investigation. Strong, erratic, and/or fluctuating readings are commonly found in haunted locations as these energy fields seem to have a connection to the presence of ghosts. Often, pictures taken of the area where these reading occur will produce an apparition. Be the next ghost hunter and conduct your own paranormal surveys anywhere you go with this lightweight, compact ghost meter. This product requires the use of one 9 volt battery, sold separately.

Now with all that being put on here lets get to the field analysis of the product. During use of the device it does do mostly what is claimed. It doesn't pick up on a person's natural em field, as well as the earths. The red led's on the top accelerate pulses as the field raises. The tone does increase in pulse with the led's as the reading gets higher. The adjustable tone does work very well. All in all if this is your first one, definitely worth the little bit of money.

The pro's for this device in the field realistically:
Very cost effective! At $30 who can complain that it costs too much?
Audible alert/led alert. You don't have to stare at the meter if you don't wish to.
Light weight, compact, and fits in your pocket. Good for anywhere.
Battery life is great! We haven't had to change the batteries for an average of 4
months.
Detects an electromagnetic field.

The con's for this device in the field realistically:
You can't pick up on the red led's very well with an infrared camcorder from a
distance.
If you drop it from your pocket on anything but carpet, it will explode when it hits
the ground. We have lost 2 this way. They are unrepairable unless you know what you
are doing.
There is no way to know how accurate the emf meter really is.
If this meter hits 5 milligauss thats it! You can't read anything higher for
accuracy of the spike.
The meter is virtually unable to stand upright. You have to lay it on it's side or
back which makes monitoring very difficult in most situations.
The on/off button will eventually start to stick, due to it's all plastic
construction.
The battery connector will sometimes latch onto a terminal, and will take the
terminal off when disconnecting the battery.

So there you have the pro's and con's from a real world user's standpoint. All in all for the price of the unit there is nothing to worry about, unless you are a person that is hard on any device. If you have a habit of dropping things, either look for a different meter or let your buddy hang onto it. We have conducted experiments using various emf meters along side this one, and it seems to be calibrated decently. There is some units that will be off by at most 1 milligauss, but that is to be expected since they are built and shipped with predetermined specifications. They are not calibrated post assembly, but done by circuit design.
After any review we will always place a link to the manufacturer if you wish to check everything out yourself, or simply order one HERE.

Don't forget to visit our site at www.spokaneparanormalteam.com

Paranormal Technology and it's downfalls

2011-04-05T13:47:00.000-07:00

This time I will be covering some of the vast "paranormal" equipment. Anything from emf detectors, to thermal cams are all fair game. Now let's start to look at emf detectors.
Most people that start out are going to go buy either a ghost meter/cell sensor, a gauss meter, or electrosensor emf detector. Why? It's simple really, they are all under $40 and first starting that is what seems like the best idea. Nowadays the great almighty emf detector for starters is the k2 meter. It's because the popular syfy show used one, and "communicate" with entities. The huge downfall is the k2 is highly sensitive to radio frequency(broadcasts). You may think, well I will be able to tell. I doubt it. You see, emf and radio signals cannot be seen and unless you have two extra devices that measure either emf, or radio signal strength you will never be able to tell the difference. If you do happen to have both of those, then why did you waste your money on the over priced, over glorified k2 meter? These are not new by any means, but mainstream television put it in people's heads that they are. Honestly the ghost meter that runs something like $32 dollars does a more accurate job at detecting a real emf source. While its calibration is in question, it is still inexpensive.
As most investigators decide to go further after their first year they will make a more expensive purchase of an emf device. Whether it be a MEL meter, or natural tri-field meter. Now if you are about to purchase either of these meters know what scenario you are going to be in most of the time, and what you are wanting to accomplish first. Why? The MEL meters are going to be your best meter for overall investigator's. You are able to carry it around while taking readings, and it offers an ambient temperature readout ridding you of those horrible IR thermometers (thats another discussion). It has instant readout options, and can record your high and low spikes. While the tri-field is only good for setting down, calibrating itself, and you leave it alone. Despite what television shows have people walking around with them, they will never EVER be accurate while you are moving. Why not? Right? Well the tri-field is a self calibrating device meaning that it measures the area around it, and zero's itself out. Now if you were walking around, every 10' or so the tri-field will spike, then calibrate itself soon after making it seem like there was something "paranormal" when in fact it was just misuse of the device itself.
Let's talk about why you are buying an emf detector in the first place having learned that little bit. Are you buying an emf detector to use during the investigation to make "contact" with an entity? If you are, you just wasted a bunch of money that you will never get back. Why is that? You can't prove anything by a spike in an electromagnetic field! It is like asking something to knock on a wall. It is pointless, because even if you catch on a voice recorder a knock, and you hear it. That just shows that a sound of a knock happened. Same with electromagnetic fields. You can get a spike to 8000 milligauss, but unless an entity pops up out of no where, waves to you and your camera, shakes your hand, then disappears. There is no correlation between an entity and an electromagnetic field. So the next time you are looking at purchasing an emf detector, know why you are buying it. What reason you are buying it for (to find natural sources of high em), and what you are going to do with it (i.e walking, or stationary). Always remember to shop around as well! You might think you are getting a great deal, then later find out another place had the same one $20 cheaper and free shipping. Consider every piece of equipment as a new car, you don't just want to rush into it because you will end up with a bunch of parts because you ended up buying the newer, nicer version for the same price:)

Dont forget to visit www.spokaneparanormalteam.com as they put out newsletters containing useful hints, and tips to properly conduct a paranormal investigation. Who knows, you might learn something new!

Paranormal Theories

2009-11-26T20:54:00.000-08:00

Just a few thoughts. If you think about life, everybody has some type of energy. Like the stars in our galaxie, and other galaxies for that matter. They are all based on energy, whether it be nuclear, electromagnetic, and so forth. So for life after death (ghosts), when a star in a galaxy dies it immediately starts to try and reform itself from the leftover energy of the explosion. What if humans, and animals alike were to follow this same trend? If we are to die, who is to say that the energy we emit doesn't do the same thing? Scientists have been studying planets and dying stars since they found out they existed. So why can't we focus that same research on our own planet? If you think about it our planet is actually ideal to harbor that energy. We have one of the most complex atmospheres of all the planets. We even have an enormous electromagnetic field surrounding earth. If the life energy can somehow absorb that magnetic field to gain its strength enough to do something ( speak, manipulate objects, or even form their former human image) that we cannot understand. Why would it really be so hard to understand this kind of concept. We have been focusing on what is doing this thing right now. Why not focus on what has been doing things since people could write. When did this all start? There are cave drawings of spirits, documented cases of paranormal activity from ancient times, and a first evp before the telephone. We are all looking for proof to show the people that do not believe in spirits/ghosts. We have to start asking these people. Do you believe that there are other galaxies? Why do you believe that? It is because somebody investigated, and researched and found those galaxies right? Of course it is. How did we find out our planet was round and not flat? People investigated, and researched. So for everybody that says ghosts don't exist, we should ask them why they cannot. Instead of how they can. If we knew why everything happens we would never need to find out, why? We would not have fire, the wheel, the automobile, houses, clothing, or anything we all nowadays depend on for life as we know it without research and investigating. These are just some of my theories, but I also think these may be the best theory out there (personally) for the simple fact that it is not particular to any religious belief. Whether it may be life after death, angels, demons, or simply energy. Energy does not need any man made source. If that were the case there would be no sun, gravity, or electromagnetic atmosphere in the vaccuum of space. So hauntings obviously need no man made electricity to manifest. They just need the right conditions in our own atmosphere. This could be why certain times of the year activity seems to be higher. Alot of clients we have investigated for report higher activity in the winter months. Could this be because of the conditions in the winter solstice? Or is it possible that they just notice it more simply because they are inside more than the other seasons? These are all things we as an investigating and research team are trying to find out. We have a basic breakdown of this theory, as well as definitions of terms commonly reffered to in the paranormal field at our website. www.spokaneparanormalteam.com Please feel free to go there and browse around. Thank you for taking the time to read my theories, and I hope this can get us all thinking of the possibility of getting more "solid" proof that these things do exist and people aren't labelled wierd or crazy for experiencing what we all don't understand.
Thank You,
Spokane Paranormal Team