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Equipment |
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We use a variety of equipment during our investigations and blessings. See below for the list of what we use and descriptions written by David and Christopher. |
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Digital Recorder
Used During: Investigations & Blessings Digital recorders are used to capture any evidence of Demonic activity. Whether this is done during a provoking session or picked up while doing EVP work. Most churches need or want some type of evidence before they will intervene and bless a home or help someone.
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Omni Directional & Zoom Microphones Used During: Investigations & Blessing We use these in conjunction with the digital voice recorders and Mini DV Video Cameras. These microphones have their own power source via battery in the back. This way we the microphone isn't dependent on the power from the recorder, increasing battery drain, and helps to cut down on the background noise caused by the electronic components of the recorder that would otherwise be picked up by its own microphone.
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Faraday Cage - Box Used During: Investigations & Blessings Modeled after Michael Faraday's design, the box actually has 2 functions. The first is the box prevents any stray radio or cell frequencies from affecting a digital recorder placed inside the box. The second is the box is grounded, so any electromagnetic interference will be absorbed by the mesh, sent through the ground source and away from the recorder, thus creating an anomaly free recording. Christopher built the boxes we use, so if you are interested having him build you one, please feel free to contact him here.
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EMF/ELF Meter Used During: Investigations & Blessings It has been said that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) can be caused by a spirit trying to manifest itself. However EMFs can be created by many man made sources as well (i.e. TV's, stoves, microwaves, electrical wiring, fish tank filters, etc.) Humans are sensitive to these fields as well. High EMFs can cause feelings of nausea, panic, or even give us the feeling like we're being watched. We use this meter to measure the level of EMFs at a location to rule out the possibility of man made EMFs causing the paranormal experiences someone may have. We also use it to measure any unknown sources of EMFs in the event some kind of paranormal activity is occurring. Our Faraday Box can block these fields from affecting the recorders we place inside.
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Carbon Monoxide Meter Used During: Investigations & Blessings We use these meters for debunking purposes to help rule out any claims of paranormal activity being caused by a natural or man made reason. Just like high levels of electromagnetic fields, Carbon Monoxide (CO) can cause some sensations that can be misinterpreted as paranormal activity (i.e.: apparitions, shadows, hearing voices, & other types of hallucinations). These are not the kind that plug into a wall, but rather personal meters we carry around with us. We take initial readings prior to the investigation starting, then hook them onto our belt or Grab-It-Pack and continue to monitor the CO levels throughout the investigation. They have a small alarm that will go off if the level gets above 35 ppm and a louder alarm if the level goes above 100 ppm. This way we don't have to keep an eye on the meter to know if the levels get too high. CO is an odorless, colorless, and otherwise undetectable gas to the human senses, so people may not know that they are being exposed. The initial symptoms of low to moderate CO poisoning are similar to the flu (but without the fever). They include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, hallucinations, nausea, and dizziness. High level CO poisoning results in progressively more severe symptoms which includes mental confusion, vomiting, loss of muscular coordination, loss of consciousness, & ultimately death. CO concentration is measured in parts per million (ppm). Some people can experience very mild symptoms from prolonged exposure to CO levels of approximately 35 to 70 ppm. As CO levels increase and remain above 70 ppm, symptoms become more noticeable. At sustained CO concentrations above 150 to 200 ppm, disorientation, unconsciousness, and death are possible.
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Infrared Thermometer Used During: Investigations & Blessing We use a gun style infrared thermometer to help us take baseline temperature readings before, during, and after investigations and blessings... These types of thermometers send out an infrared beam, bounce it off an object like a wall or chair, receive the information back, then show the temperature on a backlit digital display, very similar to the actions of a policeman’s radar gun… These types of thermometers also have a laser beam so you can see what you are measuring the temperature on…
These are good for determining the baseline temperature of a room so you can note any temperature change… The downside however is they are not very good at finding cold spots in the air… Because the beam has to bounce off an object in order to get a temperature reading, it will pass through the potential cold spot and may not even read the temperature change in the air… When it comes to finding these types of cold spots, we utilize a thermocouple thermometer (see below)... |
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Thermocouple Thermometer Used During: Investigations & Blessings We use a thermocouple thermometer in conjunction with our infrared thermometer… The benefit of this type of thermometer is that it can take the reading of the ambient air temperature in a room… There are other infrared thermometers that have a probe that can do this, however the down side is the temperature reading isn’t instantaneous… It’s gradual… By the time the cold spot registers, it could have moved away by then making it very difficult to track… The benefit of the thermocouple thermometer is that it’s rapid response… This way, we can see the temperature fluctuations immediately…
The type of thermocouple thermometer we use is the TIF
7000… This has an air probe
attached to a digital readout… At the end of the air probe is a cylinder for air to pass
through… Inside the cylinder,
going down the shaft of the probe, is a thin wire… This is what takes the
temperature… This thermometer
takes 3 readings per second, allowing us to see an immediate change in
temperature...
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Digital
Cameras
Used During: Investigations & Blessings An important piece of equipment that can capture strange anomalies can be a digital camera. Strange anomalies can be anything to mist, shadows, and orbs or balls of light (we don't hold much stock into orbs though since they can be easily recreated). Sometimes you can get lucky and find full apparitions (note: we have not captured an apparition as of yet. We've been told it could take a life time of searching to find.) |
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35mm SLR Cameras Used During: Investigations & Blessings Because film can capture the same type of evidence a digital camera can, we also use 35mm SLR cameras during our investigations. Many investigators believe that because digital images can be altered in many ways, it's easy to fake a bit of paranormal evidence. Plus, there is also the problem of pixilation or matrixing when enlarging digital images, making them unusable as evidence. By using a 35mm camera as another investigation tool, we can have a negative to back up our findings. |
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Mini DV Video Cameras Used During: Investigations & Blessings The video camera is another important piece of equipment that can capture strange anomalies. Our camera has a night vision feature which allows us to film in the dark. We’ve also paired it with an additional infrared light (See IR Light below) to help us see more when we record. We either walk around with it or, with the use of a tri-pod, place it in a location to record. We look for anything out of the ordinary like objects moving on their own, shadows, or lights coming from an unknown source.
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Infrared Light Used During: Investigations We pair this with our video camera with night vision capabilities to give us more light the camera can pick up during an investigation.
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Incandescent Black
Light
Used During: Investigations We call this the poor man's
infrared light, even though it's a black light (ultraviolet).
Because our Mini DV cameras need more infrared light to record in a dark
area, we need to add more IR lights (see above). However, this can
get expensive at $40 to $80 a pop. That's why we turn to this method
for a cheaper alternative.
Even with the IR filter turned
on, our Mini DV cameras can still record in normal light. The UV
light that this bulb produces is so close to the natural light wave
length, our video cameras can still pick up this light in a dark
room just like an IR light. Unlike its fluorescent partner, the
amount of UV light we can see is very minimal, allowing us to still
investigate in darkness. With the reflector costing
between $7 to $8, and an incandescent black light bulb costing $1, you can
see why we turn to this lesser expensive
option.
If you would like to see this light at work, Christopher made a demonstration video that can be viewed by clicking here. |
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DVR (Digital Video Recorder) System with Infrared Security Cameras Used During: Investigations A DVR is a system that records motion video from infrared security cameras in a digital format to a hard disk. This is the same type of system some companies utilize for their own security system. Our system allows us to monitor multiple locations on to one source, at one time. Used in conjunction with our Mini DV Video Cameras, if any activity happens we should be able to capture it. Our software enables us to review segments of the video for playback while the cameras are still recording which prevents us from having to stop recording if we want to review evidence immediately.
Our cameras have a sensor that turns the infrared function on and off depending on the light level which allows us the ability to use this system day or night. |
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Pasco Barometric, Temperature, & Audio Data Loggers Used During: Investigations & Blessings We use data logging equipment
from In most cases of demonic haunts the home itself will have a heavy, or oppressive atmosphere. This can usually be felt by everyone in the home. When described, it feels like it would on a very hot & humid day as it's hard to breathe or feel comfortable. It is our hope that is new piece of equipment will be able to capture, and measure this atmospheric condition during investigation's and house blessing's.
One datalogger we use is the
Xplorer with a probe that records 6 different
atmospheric conditions at the same time (barometric pressure (25" to 34" of
mercury), absolute & relative humidity, dew point, temperature, &
relative altitude). We carry this datalogger around with us
during investigations to monitor changes in these conditions, but it
also logs the data during this time (hence the term
"datalogger") so we can go back at a later time and review the
information. The second data logger we utilize
is called the GLX, which we generally leave in an area with a high level
of activity. We attach a barometric probe that measures a higher and
lower range of pressure than the weather probe (4.4" to 37" of
mercury). The GLX also comes with 2 rapid response temperature
probe ports. With the temperature probes at either ends of the data
logger, we can see if there was a uniform temperature fluctuation.
If one picks up a temperature fluctuation and one does not, this deems
further review of the evidence to see if any activity was recorded at that
specific time. The GLX also has an audio sensor that measures the
decibel range. Because a decibel is the
measurement in the frequency of human hearing (20 to 20000
htz), if we capture an EVP on a recorder placed near the GLX, and
there's no decibel fluctuation, it may be safe to assume that the EVP
captured was not in the normal human range of
hearing. Once the investigation is complete, we connect these dataloggers to our computers to analyze and graph the data. The beauty of these dataloggers is the number of different probes that work with them, from motion sensors to magnetic sensors. We will be adding to the probes at a later time.
Keep an eye on future investigations for images of the graphs. |
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Laser Level Used During: Investigations OK, I know what you're saying, "A laser level for paranormal research???" Let me explain. During an investigation, this is placed in a location we are video taping. The laser forms a + on the wall. This serves 2 purposes. First, it helps keep the evidence honest. If someone were to try and tamper with the video, the beams would break, alerting us when we reviewed the evidence. Second, if something tries to manifest itself in the room, it's possible the camera may not pick it up. The + on the wall will either warp or break, which the camera will pick up.
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Motion/Door Sensors Used During: Investigations & Blessings Motion Sensors serve 2 purposes. Placed in high activity areas, one purpose is to keep the evidence honest by alerting us if someone enters the room the equipment is in. The sensors also alert us to possible activity in the room. The door sensors we have use the same monitoring station our motion sensors use, and can be placed on doors that have a history of opening by themselves.
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Flashlight Used During: Investigations This piece of equipment is pretty self explanatory.
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Walkie Talkies Used During: Investigations Walkie Talkies are used to keep the team in constant contact when we are separated into teams.
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Grab-It-Pack Used During: Investigations & Blessings The Grabit Pack is not your typical fanny pack or versa pack. It's unique, ergonomic, PATENT PENDING design allows the ability to use other items such as tool belts and back packs while providing the durability of a military pack. We utilize this pack to store our extra batteries, pens, EMF meters, thermometers, flashlights, note pads, and anything else we might need during investigations. If you would like one of these, please visit our equipment link page for more information. |
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Holy Bible Used During: Blessings The Bible is used by the Clergy or a Religious Demonologist to quote scripture when they are blessing a home. A home is blessed in order to drive out any Demons that may be dwelling there or have taken control of it. A Religious Demonologist may bless a home only if he/she has been given authority to do so by the church.
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Holy Water Used During: Blessings Holy water can be used during a house blessing to be sprinkled in each of the four corners of the room after it has been blessed. It may also be used during an attack while commanding the Demon in the name of Jesus Christ to go back to where it came from. Holy water is only to be used during a house blessing or attack only. If it is used any other time the Demon could see it as an attack against itself and retaliate. In other words, it must be used wisely.
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Blessed Cross Used During: Blessings A blessed crucifix is and can be used pretty much in the same way as Holy water.
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More Equipment to Come. Check Back Soon... |
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