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Paranormal investigators use specific tools and devices to track down evidence of paranormal activity. This guide lists both standard tools and newer, more controversial tools used in the paranormal field today.
Standard Ghost Hunting Equipment

* Notebook and Pencil: While these might seem pretty basic and obvious, they're probably the most underused and neglected tools for investigating the paranormal. However, keeping a small notebook and pen or pencil within reach usually proves to be the best way to keep track of small details that investigators might want to remember before, during and after an investigation like historic information, the client's claims of paranormal activity, details or experiences that might go unrecorded, etc.
* Flash Light: Unfortunately, most paranormal investigators don't have cameramen following them around a location, so after the power is turned out, investigators are on their own, left in complete darkness. Flash lights are good sources of emergency light and in certain locations that lack any form of natural light (like basements, underground tunnels, etc.) a flashlight could really come in handy. Since flash lights work on battery power, they've also been known to stop working during paranormal investigations. Paranormal investigators theorize that ghosts draw energy from their surroundings to manifest and batteries are a good source of energy.
* Batteries: Since battery-operated equipment might stop working during an investigation, it's best to bring plenty of extras.
* Digital Camera/35 mm Camera: Paranormal investigators like to shoot photographs with cameras when they think a spirit might be trying to manifest. There are several famous photographs of alleged ghosts that were caught on camera film. Digital cameras are used more often today because you can take a very large number of photographs in a short period of time.
* Tape Recorder: Ask any paranormal investigative group and they will tell you that a tape recorder is the most important piece of equipment. Investigators catch a type of evidence called an EVP, also known as electronic voice phenomena, by using varying types of tape recorders. EVP's are characterized by voices heard at the time of playback that were not there at the time of recording. These voices are commonly called disembodied voices.
* EMF Detector: The electromagnetic field is a fundamental force of nature. An EMF detector measures this field as well as the energy emitted by stationary charged objects. According to paranormal investigators, paranormal activity might cause disruptions in the electromagnetic field, resulting in readings on an EMF detector. Investigators might find higher EMF readings emitted in homes where paranormal activity allegedly occurs. High EMF readings in a home caused by electrical problems are often associated with fatigue, nausea, stress, chest pain, headaches and hallucinations. Therefore, investigators can use EMF detectors to rule out paranormal activity.
* Infrared Thermal Scanner: This is a temperature measuring tool that sends out a thermal beam that measures fluctuations in temperature. Paranormal investigators can monitor temperature as well as find cold and hot spots that might be caused by paranormal activity.
* Walkie-Talkies: These are good tools to have in order to keep in touch with other members of a investigative group. If group members separate into teams to investigate a location, walkie-talkies become vital in order to keep track of everyone, even more so in case of an emergency.
* Night Vision: Night Vision goggles or night vision adaptors (that attach to video recorders) will help investigators see in the dark. These are especially useful for locations that are extremely dark.
* Video Recorder: While video evidence is pretty rare, it does happen. Video evidence is the most sought after evidence of paranormal activity. After all, seeing is believing.
* Compass: Obviously, compasses are good for navigation purposes but this tool will also react if there is a disturbance in the electromagnetic field.
* Dowsing Rods: An ancient tool used to find water, dowsing rods are now used to locate sources of paranormal activity. When the rods cross, the source of energy has been found.

Newest Ghost Hunting Equipment

* K-2 Meter: Another form of an EMF detector, the K-2 Meter uses lights to indicate changes in the electromagnetic field. The K-2 Meter can be seen in action on Sci-Fi Channel's Ghost Hunters.
* Frank's Box: According to Frank Sumption, creator of Frank's Box, the device is "based on using voltage tunable radio modules from older digital car stereos, and tuning them with a random voltage derived from white noise". This device captures allegedly disembodied voices in response to questions asked by paranormal investigators. Frank's Box has been featured on A&E Network's Paranormal State.

Sources:

Read more at Suite101: Ghost Hunting Equipment Guide: The Tools and Devices Used by Paranormal Investigators http://paranormal.suite101.com/article.c...z0esOmdpE4

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For Infra Red and Thermal Cameras, just as a thought, these cost a LOT of money.... So, if you want one of these things, the easiest way to get one, is to go to your Fire Department, and see if they have an old one laying around that they aren't using anymore after they get upgrades. My Cousin is a Firefighter, and he goes to places too that are supposed to be Haunted because we've been interested in this stuff since we were little kids, and a Fire Department will normally have all these thermal tools because they use them in fire calls. Well, when they get upgrades, they may be willing to sell them off to you for a cheaper price than the 5 - 10,000 dollars the ENTRY level ones cost. They go up to like 100,000 dollars, and the entry ones are still like 5 grand, so getting them cheaper can help.

One thing you missed on this list is PERMISSION IN WRITING from the owner of a location you want to investigate so that when someone sees flashlights shining in there at 3 AM and call the cops on you, you won't get arrested. Very rarely is a cop going to think you're only there to record stuff and not steal anything.

My Uncle gets paid to do readings on places and usually, it's better to find out who actually owns a building. Someone working there saying "It should be fine" isn't going to hold up in court.

Find out who owns the building you want to look at, and get their permission in writing. Keep it with you, and have copies too, because, hey, if the place you're in is actually Haunted, you could lose the paper EASY.

Oh, and of course, Safety should be an issue. I'm not going to go into detail but not all Ghosts want you there. And even though attacks are rare, they have happened.

Also, if you bring people with you who like to act tough and say they aren't scared of anything, a change of clothes might be useful.

When they walk around saying they aren't scared and something touches them that doesn't seem to be there, and they shit their pants, you don't want to smell that all night.

Also, extra Batteries are good! A lot of times, when a place has activity, Batteries that were full when you walked in, can drain pretty fast.

Also, NEVER allow ANYONE, to go ANYWHERE... ANYWHERE, alone. It doesn't matter how tough you or they are, the buildings most people want to be in for this type of thing are generally REALLY old, and you can be in danger just from a floor collapsing. Also, in a very active location, being ALONE in there, is NOT an alright thing.

This doesn't make you a pussy because you have someone else there. It does however, help not only document something you can't get on camera, but also, when you're alone, you're more likely to misinterpret sounds, get paranoid and start hearing things that may not actually be happening, and of course, having someone to hold another camera if your camera is knocked out of your hands, can help too.

If you're in a place alone and something turns your camera off, or drains the batteries, or makes you drop it, or pulls it out of your hands, you have no way to prove it, and you're probably going to piss yourself. I know I would. And having someone else there with a camera, will help document what happened, or at the very least, back up your story.

No to mention that having everyone together helps to rule out "Oh that walking is probably Frank"....Well, maybe it's better if Frank is with you so you know it is!