Top Ten Gift Ideas for the Paranormal Investigator

Doing some holiday shopping, but can't seem to find any ideas for the paranormal investigator in your life? Here are some very helpful tips from an experienced paranormal investigator, some of which are on my very own wish list.

Number one on the list is a thermal imaging camera. Got a spare $10,000 or so? Yes, thermal imaging technology isn't cheap at all, but it is one of the best tools out there for collecting evidence of paranormal activity. It senses any and all changes in the ambient air temperature in a room, and you can actually see the anomaly on the screen, outlined in the appropriate color. It shows how cold or hot an area, object, or anomaly is. You can find fine used equipment, but it will still cost you $6,000 on up!

Number two on the list is an infrared video camera. They aren't cheap either, but they are the best video cameras to capture evidence on either tape or digital, although most of the better models are digital. Infrared cameras are basically night vision. While you can find the cheaper, less functional night "shot" cameras, they are not the same. Night "shot" cameras use a dim backlight to lighten the area around the camera lens, so it does work to a very small extent. Actual infrared cameras, or real night vision, transmit an invisible infrared light out into the room, which returns the signal back into the lens, and the images are recorded. This is a perfect gift for gathering paranormal evidence.

Number three is an EMF detector. EMF stands for Electro-Magnetic Field. What this device does is measure the electrical, magnetic, and radio waves in and around the area you are at. As with all these devices in this list, there are several varieties you can choose from. There are analog and digital, as well as gauges with a needle and models with sound. It is theorized that when an entity is present and trying to manifest itself, it will draw energy from the electromagnetic field in the atmosphere around it. These meters will detect any and all fluctuations that occur. There are some models that are made specifically for detecting high altitude UFO's and other upper atmosphere phenomena such as geomagnetic and solar storms. These meters range in price from around $100, on up to $400 and beyond for the very high end models.

Number four is an audio recording device for EVP work. EVP stands for Electronic Voice Phenomena. What that is, is a disembodied voice or noise that is caught on an audio recording device, which you don't hear with your naked ear. This device can range from a tape or digital recorder, on up to a boom mic set up and even video recorders. This equipment is fairly inexpensive, but can become pricey for the higher end recording equipment. Most audio recording devices, that works just fine, range anywhere from $25, on up to $80. $50 will get you a nice digital recorder, which will work perfectly.

Number five on the list is a temperature scanner. These little devices read the room temperature, showing on the display if there is any fluctuation in air temperature. Unlike the thermal imaging camera, these don't record the air temperature or show the room in colors. It merely takes the room temperature and shows it on the display. Or there are models that have a laser pointer, which will take the temperature in a specific spot. These range in the area of $60, on up to around $300 or so.

Number six is a video camera. Pretty self-explanatory here; this device will record any activity in the room. There are tape and digital versions, and they have a wide price range. I've seen models in stores for $100, and I have seen some of the higher end models going for a couple thousand dollars.

Number seven is a still photography camera. Either 35mm film or digital will work. They both do a good job of taking still photography of anomalous activity. Depending on what your preference is, there are many makes and models of still cameras. Again, you will find that these range in price from cheap, to insanely expensive. But, with still photography you get what you pay for. Do some research before you buy, and compare features/brands for the best deal.

Number 8 is one of my favorite pieces of equipment. It is an ultraviolet flashlight. Mine is a 12 LED "police style" flashlight. It has the instant on button on the bottom, or it can be set to constant on. These lights range from a single LED or bulb, and I have seen them with as many as 28 LED lights. The more illumination, the pricier they get. I bought mine from an online auction site for about $60. It is bright enough to light up a 20x20 room very well. It doesn't do too badly in larger rooms either. These are commonly known as "black lights". They are used to illuminate anomalous activity so it can be seen with the naked eye. It works wonderfully.

Number 9 has to be any kind of books, or videos on paranormal topics. I have a few books on paranormal phenomena, and some videos and DVDs on the subject. It is always entertaining and educational to a paranormal investigator to watch and read of other people's accounts, and other investigators' findings.

Number 10 is nothing better than a Geiger counter. These instruments measure radiation in roentgens. What these will do is measure the field of where a UFO has been. UFO's leave traces, and sometimes more, of radioactive substances in the air and where they land (if they land). It is an essential tool for the UFologist. They come in digital and analog displays, as well as the old kind with the gauge and needle. They are relatively inexpensive as well, but as with all these items, they can get pricey.

So there is the top ten list of gifts for the avid paranormal investigator. It isn't one of the more economical hobbies, but it is one of the most rewarding and educational. Get any one of these items, and they will for sure thank you for it (as well as show you how it all works!).