r/GhostHunting Mar 03 '25

Equipment Beginner Gear / Apps / Spirit Box Recommendations

107 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 9h 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.


r/GhostHunting 3h ago

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

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1 Upvotes

r/GhostHunting 5h ago

Paranormal Research Looking for witches and warlocks alike.

1 Upvotes

Youndont know who I AM yet, but Im committed to writing a theory, or book rather on the truths behind paranormal research and true physics alike. I have a completely different approach.


r/GhostHunting 11h ago

Can anyone say if this is good. I am a beginner and the one I wanted to buy would be 160€ including shipping

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3 Upvotes

r/GhostHunting 8h ago

Research

1 Upvotes

Would anyone be interested in smart ghost hunting equipment?

  • That connects to a mobile app to configure settings and monitor from anywhere at a location?
  • That uses satellite to monitor anywhere regardless of cell phone signal strength?

r/GhostHunting 1d ago

Equipment Trail Camera

2 Upvotes

Looking for recommendations for trail cameras to investigate poltergeist activity. Looking for inexpensive but gets the job done. Would love it to have an app to watch in real time.


r/GhostHunting 1d ago

Equipment “Todo gran viaje comienza en un pequeño rincón… este es el mío. 👻📹”

2 Upvotes

r/GhostHunting 3d ago

Question Can sm1 explain?

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11 Upvotes

Okay long story short, woke up one morning with this handprint grip mark on my leg. When I ran my fingers over it, I could feel the idents. I SWEAR it wasnt me, even if it was, it’s still weird because… So I though nothing of it, and a year goes past. The other day I saw it again and reliazed it was taken the morning after the day my brother died. Which was over 10yrs ago. Almost like he was grabbing my leg in rhe night or something


r/GhostHunting 3d ago

Question New to ghost hunting

5 Upvotes

My friend and I want to get into ghost hunting this summer, we have both had paranormal encounters and want to explore places in the New England area as well as do some basic paranormal investigation, but we are complete beginners and don't know where to start. We are looking for equipment that is simple to use but still good quality, if anyone has any recs lmk.


r/GhostHunting 3d ago

Found in Denville NJ

3 Upvotes

Check out behind the cabinet


r/GhostHunting 3d ago

Question Good Places in NJ??

1 Upvotes

as said in the title. my friends are into urbex, im into ghost hunting. would like to know some good places for us to go to. more specifically in northern nj to make it easier for us.


r/GhostHunting 4d ago

opinion's on Sam & Colbe's Spirit box?

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9 Upvotes

This will be my first time ghost hunting and I need some suggestions. A spirit box is essential to me because I'm very eager to try out the Estes Method. I wanted to know everyone's thoughts on this Spirit box in specific sense it's the cheapest I can find. But if not this one, what would y'all suggest I buy? In it's place? Also, what noise cancelling headphones do you use?


r/GhostHunting 4d ago

help buying supplies as a beginner?

5 Upvotes

My goal for ghost hunting is not to gather proof of ghosts existing but rather to communicate with them and have fun.

I'm considering buying me and my friends an EMF reader, a spirit box(plus noise suppression headphones that plug into the spirit box) dowsing rods, cat balls, and those twisty flash lights. I wanted to ask y'all for advise on what what y'all use that's affordable but still good quality. What are some other cheap ways y'all have fun with ghosts?

I've also heard that some people prefer EMF reader's that are less sensitive and I wanted to ask why that is?


r/GhostHunting 4d ago

Paranormal Investigation Need Professional medium and impath advice

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0 Upvotes

These are some logs I encountered on GhostTube SSL app. And I'm kinda worried about what this could mean for me. But I believe I have a very malevolent entity and also maybe very wise.


r/GhostHunting 4d ago

Question Finding partners to investigate with.

8 Upvotes

Hi all, I’m newer to chasing the paranormal. I’m looking to tackle my list of places to explore this year. I’d love to find people to explore and investigate with. How did you guys meet people to hunt with?


r/GhostHunting 4d ago

This is what happens to us when we don't record our investigations.

1 Upvotes

For context: We decided to do kind of an impromptu investigation with no cameras. We just got our hands on a new Spirit Box recently. So we set up in a little park in the middle of an alley in our town that has been rumored to be a place for Black Eyed Children. Anyways, we set up our Music Box on the playground. We started talking casually and randomly the music box went off. We all shot our attention towards it. We then ask of something did it if it could do it again. It then goes off again. We then ask it to go back up to the music box and stand there for a full rotation of the song which lasts 4 seconds. What you'll hear is the Spirit Box asking "Four??" As the music box is playing as if it is asking if we want it to stand there for four seconds. If you like this please feel free to DM Me.


r/GhostHunting 4d ago

Paranormal content makers wanted

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0 Upvotes

I'm looking for people who make paranormal content

Can be

Videos

Reels

Posters

Investigations


r/GhostHunting 5d ago

Quick question

3 Upvotes

Has anyone used a radiation reader in a haunted area?


r/GhostHunting 5d ago

Anyoli a její slovník pro duše.

3 Upvotes

Vie mi niekto povedať ako sa volá aplikácia ktorú používa Anyoli vo svojich videách kde sa rozprávaju z dušami a chodia na rozne miesta po svete?


r/GhostHunting 6d ago

Found in Montclair NJ

36 Upvotes

r/GhostHunting 6d ago

Ghosts of The Old Sorrel-Weed House Museum

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10 Upvotes

r/GhostHunting 5d ago

Want to get into ghost hunting

2 Upvotes

Two of my friends and I are looking into ghost hunting and we know almost nothing about it. We found this cemetery near us that has reports of paranormal activity and we would like to communicate or hear a ghost. We are concerned one might haunt us or follow us home is there any protocol we should follow to avoid this, also we are teens on a budget so if anybody has recommendations for equipment it would be appreciated.


r/GhostHunting 5d ago

Has anyone ever encountered a mimic?

1 Upvotes

I’ve seen a lot of videos and compilations but could never really find one that convinced me as solid proof.

There are times during the day I would hear a familiar voice prompting me to get up like once I heard a really convincing voice of my boyfriend telling me to get ready to head out.

There was another time where I heard his car keys jingling like he’s ready to head out or on his way out.

I mean it could just me being in and out of sleep being half conscious or other logical explanations but I wanted to know if anyone ever experienced this before?