Ghost Hunters Tech Guide: Budget Tech

Paranormal investigators with deep pockets can hit up any of the many specialty sites online that sell equipment for hunting spirits, but not everyone has the money to buy the newest and best tech available. However, that's not as much of an obstacle as you might think. In fact, you might be surprised at some of the low-tech, commonplace items the Ghost Hunters have used to capture evidence over the years.

Here are a few of the gadgets used by the Ghost Hunters team that you might be able to find laying around the house right now.

1Half-Inflated Helium Balloon

Grant, Team Leader: "I use powdered smoke, primarily used in the HVAC industry, to locate drafts in order to disprove people feeling their hair being touched, cold spots, phantom breaths, drafts that could close doors, etc. A half-inflated helium balloon works as well."

2Baby Powder

Small footprints left in a pile of talcum powder on a wooden floor

Grant: "Talcum power on poster board is a very simple way to capture foot prints or fingerprints."

3Compass

Mustafa, Researcher/Historian: "The easiest piece of equipment? A compass. You can tell when electromagnetic fields are being thrown off simply by using a compass."

4Crepe Paper

Grant: "Crepe paper makes a great motion detector."

NOTES FROM THE FIELD: What to Get When You're Starting Out

There's tons of tech out there for aspiring investigators. Here's what the Ghost Hunters suggest you pick up first. (Hint: You're going to want to get an audio recorder.)

Grant: "A voice recorder and an EMF detector, hands down. They are affordable and you'll get the most bang for your buck with these two devices."

Brandon, Tech Specialist: "I always recommend a digital audio recorder. It is easy to use and can be tested by a professional from a technical industry."

Richel, Investigator: "I think the first piece of equipment a ghost hunter should acquire is an audio recorder to conduct EVP sessions."

Brian, Investigator: "I'd say the first piece of equipment an investigator needs is a flashlight. These places are dark and safety is a major goal! Then an audio recorder."

Mustafa: "A compass, a flashlight, and an audio recorder."

Daryl, Co-Lead Investigator: "Audio and cam recorders."

Kristen, Co-Lead Investigator: "An audio recorder."

5Yourself

Ghost hunter Brian is pointing his flashlight right at you

Brian: "My favorite piece of equipment is myself. I am my best tool. I know how I think, how I react, and how to put the puzzles together."

Grant: "The best tool in our arsenal, in my opinion, is our minds. Discerning, caring, and putting pieces together, is the key to making this all work. We couldn't help anyone with equipment alone."

Ghost Hunters