r/GhostHunting Mar 03 '25

Equipment Beginner Gear / Apps / Spirit Box Recommendations

109 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 51m ago

How do you do a ghost summoning ritual?!

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Upvotes

r/GhostHunting 1d ago

Question Ghost hunting for beginners

6 Upvotes

So Iv gotten more into watching it and Iv wanted to try at some point. The itch to actually go out and ghost hunt has set in currently tho. What’s some tips for finding places around that I can do it


r/GhostHunting 1d ago

Question AITAH if I inform people that a “haunted destination” is blatantly lying about their history???

9 Upvotes

Just as the title says…

There is a local-to-me, supposedly, haunted house that rents out to ghost hunters…

The research of the history and trying to ferret out if the “stories” have any basis in reality is one of my favorite parts about investing any location…

This place isn’t just misleading guests, they are blatantly lying.

Everything from who built the property (they say it was the main prominent family who founded the town), who lived there, who passed away there, etc. The only thing that appears to be accurate is the address.

The “funny” thing is that they are taking all the information from a house that’s about 3 doors down from them.

I’m not saying the house isn’t haunted, I have no way of knowing…

I was invited to go by a smaller YouTube channel who has gone there several times.

The owner exclusively uses the house to rent out for ghost hunting.

I’m torn because I hate the idea of them straight bamboozling people…

But, I also feel like it’s up to people to do their own due diligence and not just believe everything they are told.

…and this is local to me…
…itty-bitty, small town, local…

…and I’m not sure I want to “start something” with the owner.

This appears to be her sole livelihood…

I’m leaning towards “not my circus, not my monkeys”, but the whole looking me straight in my eyes and bold-face lying irritates me to no end?


r/GhostHunting 1d ago

#P.i paranormal# lincolnshire

1 Upvotes

r/GhostHunting 1d ago

Question I'm looking for domestic destinations.

2 Upvotes

Are there any Finnish members? If so, are there any good research sites in the capital area? I would be grateful for any information you share with me. Thanks in advance!!


r/GhostHunting 2d ago

Question O quanto eu posso me dar mal caçando fantasmas?

6 Upvotes

Existe alguma chance real de algo me seguir ou se tornar uma espécie de obsessor ao voltar de uma caçada ou se eu mexer com coisas do além? Um demônio ou uma entidade ruim começar a me importunar e me assombrar?


r/GhostHunting 2d ago

Is my K2 Busted?

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9 Upvotes

My K2 hasn't been used in a little while but I recently turned it on and it started doing this. It does it anywhere.

It'll properly spike if I bring my phone close to it but it could sit in grass and still do this.

I am wondering if anyone has seen this before and if it's just out right busted or not.

I've taken the back off and reseated the battery but it still does it.


r/GhostHunting 1d ago

What noise suppression headphones would go well with this specific spirit box?

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0 Upvotes

I need something that can reliably block out sound and play the noise that comes through this device for the Estes method. What are yall's suggestions?


r/GhostHunting 3d ago

Question With the uptick in ring and security cameras, do you think all the ghosts and spirits stopped coming out and making appearances because they don’t want to be recorded or seen?

2 Upvotes

r/GhostHunting 3d ago

What do you think about this ghost box + recorder

3 Upvotes

I am planning on buying a ghost box and was wondering if this is any good

https://www.ghoststop.com/sbox-ghost-box-recorder/


r/GhostHunting 3d ago

DIY $5 Motion Sensors

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18 Upvotes

Excited to give these a shot. The plan is to put these in the doorway of cells/rooms and put a stationary camera on the hallway to see if we get any activity. If so, we can narrow down the investigation area.

IKEA had these 2 for $5. They take one single AAA battery and light up for 10 seconds if they sense motion. The motion sensor is on the opposite side of the light and projects In a 'V' shape. The tests I performed picked up motion up to about 10ft away. I HIGHLY recommend using some window tint to cover the LED though. (I double covered the lense and put black duct tape around it in the video). It would be blinding during an investigation.

Happy hunting!


r/GhostHunting 4d ago

Question Looking for ghost hunters West Midlands

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9 Upvotes

Hello, Iv been thinking over the past few months about getting into ghost hunting/ exploring, Iv always been interested in it for the past 10 years, just seeing if any of you guys would know how I’d find other like minded please to do the same also thinking about putting it on a new YouTube channel Afterlife Investigations


r/GhostHunting 3d ago

For my friend's yt channel

1 Upvotes

My friend is making a ghost hunting yt channel and we only have two spirit boxes, an emf reader, a sound recorder and a rem pod. Any tips for us?


r/GhostHunting 4d ago

Haunted places near Portsmouth VA? Hey I’m curious to know if anyone has had any paranormal encounters within about an hours driving distance around Portsmouth. Like did anybody stop at an abanded house on the side of the road saw somthing in the woods etc.

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2 Upvotes

r/GhostHunting 5d ago

Ghost Hunting Humbird Wi

6 Upvotes

Anyone in Wisconsin looking to ghost hunt, once a month the Humbird Hotel Bar and Grill has a monthly closed bar experience

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18Z5uXqYub/


r/GhostHunting 5d ago

Question I think I am being followed by a skinwalker... What should I do?

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2 Upvotes

Please I need some advice, I want to know more and I want to also learn how to get rid of this thing, im sleeping over at my friend Ks house and odd things are happening


r/GhostHunting 6d ago

Paranormal Investigation In Depford NJ at Covent Tattoo

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2 Upvotes

Check out the mimic spirit.


r/GhostHunting 6d ago

John Doe missed call.

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1 Upvotes

r/GhostHunting 7d ago

Question Looking for haunts in the Chicago/ NW Indiana area

3 Upvotes

My friends are trying to start ghost hunting, looking for some recommendations that might be less than advertised. Further away locations are cool too. We are planning on investigating Peoria State hospital in September and are looking into overnight permits for Batchlors Grove.

cheers!


r/GhostHunting 8d ago

Equipment Equipment recommendations?

5 Upvotes

Hello! Please delete this post if it is not allowed but I am looking to curate a list of ghost equipment to eventually purchase, I would appreciate help from a spooky community in making this list. There are some pretty prolific haunted places where I live, plus I work with a bunch of ghost enthusiasts, and would like to be prepared for the next "expedition"

Yes I could just buy a cheap "kit" on Amazon, but that's too easy and no fun lol

All recommendations are very appreciated! Thank you 🧡👻


r/GhostHunting 9d ago

ISO BETTER GHOST HUNTING VIDEOS!!

5 Upvotes

I loveeee ghosthunting shit but I always watched Overnight channel. I really enjoyed them a lot. I thought they did it pretty authentically (trying to disprove the ‘paranomality’ of the event to being something else) and not too overwhelmingly annoying to watch lol. But when Matt Rife 🤮 joined I just couldn’t watch anymore. Does anyone have any other recommendations? and please none of the basic ones… i want to hear some new ones!


r/GhostHunting 9d ago

Discussion For Believers: Are there Ghost-Police???

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3 Upvotes

r/GhostHunting 10d ago

I want to help

3 Upvotes

I've been studying the paranormal my whole life and I want to offer my advice to anyone who has questions or needs some place to start. I want to help people struggling with hauntings and anything supernatural that may be bothering them.

If you want help with anything reach out and we'll get it figured out.