Who sells the best high tech equipment?

“Where do I find the best high tech equipment for ghost hunting?”

If you’re asking this question, I hope you’ve been involved in ghost hunting for many months.

Until you’re sure ghost hunting is for you, don’t invest in specialized equipment.

This is important: Don’t try to impress others with fancy equipment. Instead, learn to use basic tools well. That impresses fellow researchers.

Sometimes it’s the equipment. Sometimes, it’s the investigator.

I used to raise an eyebrow at “Shack Hacks,” until I saw John Zaffis talk to one. Suddenly, it talked back, clearly and in context.

It wasn’t his Shack Hack, and it was at least a dozen feet away from him. It just responded to him, as if it recognized him.

(Since then — around 2009, long before he became a TV star — I’ve never seen anyone achieve the same results with a Shack Hack. Maybe I just haven’t seen others as skilled as him. I don’t know.)

Where to shop – online and off.

Where you find ghost hunting equipment will depend on how specialized the devices are.

For example, cameras and voice recorders can be purchased at any electronics store or online. Amazon and Overstock offer low prices for basic and backup-level equipment. Other retailers do, too.

Ovilus or real-time EVP devices require an equally specialized shop or online retailer.

It’s important to feel confident about your purchase. You may need to discuss your options with a store clerk or seller who’s familiar with ghost research.

It’s equally important to check reviews by professionals who’ve tried that equipment. It helps if they’re also experienced paranormal investigators.

Some electronics wizards specialize in dedicated equipment for paranormal researchers. Digital Dowsing — the website featuring Bill Chappell’s custom-designed equipment — is one of the best-known.

Others keep a lower profile. You’ll see their equipment at ghost-related events, but not in stores and rarely online.

To find them, go to events, especially off-the-beaten-path events where high-profile investigators get together. That’s where you’ll find the most experimental tools… devices you may see on TV shows, several months later.

Spend with caution.

Investing in experimental devices can be risky. Generally, they have a 50/50 chance of working as well as hoped. Some will work great for a short time, and then break. (Most designers/manufacturers will replace the item.)

Never spend money you can’t afford to lose if the seller turns out to be completely clueless about this field. (However, I rarely run into that.)

In many cases, the best, specialized equipment is made in small batches, as few as two or three at a time. Expect to sign up for a waiting list. It may take months to receive the high-tech tools you want.

Like the “high rollers” tables in Vegas, this is a risky area for beginners.