Ghost hunting kit

[Hellboy]

Hi again,

Lucy wrote:

But to their credit they're always careful on that show to check and see if it could be anything electrical around before they decide to pin the reading on anything supernatural.

Ummmmm, sorry do not agree! Unless they know what they are reading, why they are taking the readings. How the meter generally works, a good general knowledge of wiring and basic physics. Then they could be reading anything!

Ok, you can take baseline readings, fair enough it is a start. However, certain appliances or loads are not running all the time. E.g, refrigeration units, storage heaters, or any electrical appliance that is time based or thermostat controlled. Their turn on/off times maybe periodic, or apparently random(unless you know how the appliances are specifically controlled and the operating parameters.) There are many other examples I can give, however the few mentioned should suffice.

Therefore baseline readings are next to useless, unless other variables are factored in! Well in terms of emf's, other baseline readings can suffer from similar natural fluctuations, however I will not go into that one at the moment.

Cheers Hellboy.

[Lucy]

If I had an EMF and I was checking my house I'd probably switch the power off all together.

[Hellboy]

Drosophila wrote:

Yes, the effect of strong EMF on people is documented and can induce feelings of being watched, feelings of movement in a room and loss of sleep, for example.

Ok, however what are you referring to here? Strong EMF or weak complex dc-fields. There is quite a distinct difference between the two. Well, several in fact! Of course the whole ' EMF effecting human health,' whether mental or physical is quite a contentious issue at the moment. The evidence at best, could be viewed as suggestive. There may well be correlations, however nothing in this field is certain.

Cheers Hellboy.

[Hellboy]

Lucy wrote:

If I had an EMF and I was checking my house I'd probably switch the power off all together.

Sounds like a good idea Lucy!

[Lucy]

We have so many gadgets around this house that when my daughter's friend walked in the house with a keyring which lit up when it detected electromagnetic energy, it continually flashed (which doesn't happen in her house apparently), so I wonder whether some of the strange things that seem to happen in our house (dark shadows moving just out of the corner of your eye, apparitions, the feeling of a bloke standing in the hallway) is due to the effects of electricity?

[Drosophila]

Originally Posted by Hellboy

Drosophila wrote:

Ok, however what are you referring to here? Strong EMF or weak complex dc-fields. There is quite a distinct difference between the two. Well, several in fact! Of course the whole ' EMF effecting human health,' whether mental or physical is quite a contentious issue at the moment. The evidence at best, could be viewed as suggestive. There may well be correlations, however nothing in this field is certain.

Cheers Hellboy.

Does it matter which sorts of EMF I mean? We're in agreement that EMF meters are useless in the hands of untrained, unskilled ghost hunters.

[Hellboy]

Drosophila wrote:

Does it matter which sorts of EMF I mean?

In the context of the thread, in terms of emf meter and how it is used well, YES! Do you not think it important to discover and speculate why emf readings are taken? What is being read, how the readings relate to environmental conditions etc? To be quite frank, it does matter! I have already stated my reasons why.

Providing 'pat,' answers like the one you have already provided, does not help
in terms of debate or resolution. I am sure you would agree!

Cheers Hellboy.

[Drosophila]

Originally Posted by Hellboy

Drosophila wrote:

In the context of the thread, in terms of emf meter and how it is used well, YES! Do you not think it important to discover and speculate why emf readings are taken? What is being read, how the readings relate to environmental conditions etc? To be quite frank, it does matter! I have already stated my reasons why.

And I have no problem with that. What me, myself and I meant was however irrelevant to your reasoning, because my post was only about what equipment is used, and how reliable it is for collecting data under uncontrolled conditions.

Originally Posted by Hellboy

Providing 'pat,' answers like the one you have already provided, does not help
in terms of debate or resolution. I am sure you would agree!

Cheers Hellboy.

I have no idea what 'pat' answers are, but when discussing what equipment a potential ghost hunter should invest time in using, my post was helpful. I think, at least. Not so helpful for discussing the actual effects in different conditions of different types of EMF, but that was never the purpose of the post. Savvy?

[Hellboy]

Drosphila wrote:

nd I have no problem with that. What me, myself and I meant was however irrelevant to your reasoning, because my post was only about what equipment is used, and how reliable it is for collecting data under uncontrolled conditions.

Oh really??? Unfortunately without supporting points and reasoning your answers become just: 'PAT,' answers! OK, you do not know what a 'PAT,' answer is. Fair enough, it is something from my local dialect. A 'PAT,' answer is a non- answer. Or put precisely it is an overgeneralization, or a statement that requires an act of faith to accept. Without reviewing the relative evidence and subsequent reasoning behind the 'statement(s)'

Your answers given, were to me overgeneralizations, without giving supporting evidence or supportive reasoning!

So what is the title of this section/thread? Ummmmmm, research department, is that not so??? Well, instead of engaging in ,mock heroics or 'PAT,' attempts at answers, putting it bluntly a P***ing contest! I suggest, we both seek clear and concise answers or indeed informed speculations. Before either of us engage in pointless nonsense and diatribe. If you want to follow such a path, then please do so! Just do not involve me in such pointless battles or shows of apparent ego!

CAPICHE????????

[Drosophila]

Uhm. Okay..? Let's see if we're on the same page here.
I make a post that was not about what you want to discuss, and me pointing that out have turned a discussion into a pissing competition?
If you think my posts, in light of what I just written, were also overgeneralized non-answers that requires a leap of faith, I hope you can let me know why.

[Hellboy]

Drosophila wrote:

If you think my posts, in light of what I just written, were also overgeneralized non-answers that requires a leap of faith, I hope you can let me know why.

Fine ok, where shall one start, ummmmm?

Drosophila wrote:

Well, I've already explained why it's unreliable in any sense of the word. Careful or not, it's (almost) useless for collecting data of any significance to ghost hunting. I say almost because they can detect sources of high emissions that can mess with people, and remove them or warn them about it.

A simple generalisation, with no direct links or evidence to back up your assertion(s)! You have not explained the problems in concise detail, or provided any direct information, as to why? Only a brief overview.
Do not get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with quick answers. However, without any detail, they become nothing but soundbites, or ' Pat answers!'

Drosophila also wrote:

And I have no problem with that. What me, myself and I meant was however irrelevant to your reasoning, because my post was only about what equipment is used, and how reliable it is for collecting data under uncontrolled conditions.

Again, why is what you have already stated irrelevant to my reasoning???
The second part of your quote, clearly states why and where certain pieces of equipment are being used. Also how reliable the equipment is and how it is used. Urggggh, good information on how the equipment works, how it should be used. What are the physics and science behind the pieces of equipment?
How they can be applied? what are the limitations? etc. What does recent research suggest or indeed question?

Unfortunately you have not directly addressed any of these points!!!
You have only written generalised answers, without properly explaining anything!!!

If you can only answer in short little posts, that do not convey true and accurate information. Then one can only conclude:

(a). You cannot be bothered!
(b). You do not know what you are talking about!
(c). You prefer 'Pat answers,' to real answers and questions.

Address these salient and concise points, without being evasive, then we can talk. Ohterwise do not waste my or anyone elses valuble time!!!

[Drosophila]

Originally Posted by Hellboy

A simple generalisation, with no direct links or evidence to back up your assertion(s)! You have not explained the problems in concise detail, or provided any direct information, as to why? Only a brief overview.
Do not get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with quick answers. However, without any detail, they become nothing but soundbites, or ' Pat answers!'

As you can read in my post, I explained why EMF meters are unreliable. This is what I wrote earlier that I was refering to:
"EMF (electromagnetic field) meters are used by ghost hunters to see if there are increased amounts of energy (read: ghosts) around. EMF's are emitted from all electonic devices, and all manner of conductive objects (people, metal, water etc) that are close by will affect these fields. The air is choked with electromagnetic waves, so I don't see how fluctuations are seen as paranormal, but to ghost hunters it's pure gold."
I don't see why I need to present any evidence for this. If you wanted some, you could have just asked "hey dros, could you show evidence for EMF being emitted from everything electronical?", or whatever it is you want evidence for. I'm usually happy to do so.

Originally Posted by Hellboy

Again, why is what you have already stated irrelevant to my reasoning???
The second part of your quote, clearly states why and where certain pieces of equipment are being used. Also how reliable the equipment is and how it is used. Urggggh, good information on how the equipment works, how it should be used. What are the physics and science behind the pieces of equipment?
How they can be applied? what are the limitations? etc. What does recent research suggest or indeed question?

Unfortunately you have not directly addressed any of these points!!!
You have only written generalised answers, without properly explaining anything!!!

No, you misunderstand. The thread topic is about what equipment ghost hunters use. Therefore I'm addressing EMF meters' potential problems in using them as ghost hunting equipment. It seems you want to discuss different effects of EMF in detail. I merely addressed why it should not be used as ghost detectors.

Originally Posted by Hellboy

If you can only answer in short little posts, that do not convey true and accurate information. Then one can only conclude:

(a). You cannot be bothered!
(b). You do not know what you are talking about!
(c). You prefer 'Pat answers,' to real answers and questions.

Address these salient and concise points, without being evasive, then we can talk. Ohterwise do not waste my or anyone elses valuble time!!!

I think you'll find that by reducing the amount of punctuations, you'll greatly reduce the length of a post whilst still conveying the information you have in a post.

[Ben]

Ben

[Daniella]

I'm sorry...but seeing Ben whip that smiley out made me laugh out loud.
Hahahaaaaaaa.

Sorry, carry on...=)

[PureGrain]

Well, after reading all that about an EMF meter I am sure I want one now. I like this list and it will help me a ton, thanks for initially asking the question so we could get this ciomplied list. I will post a laundry list of when and where I purchase these devices later this weekend.

[PureGrain]

I found a link that has helped me understand the meters and their potential.

http://www.ghostgadgets.com/_knowled...explained.html

[Mary]

That's good info for those looking into ghost research. Thanks PureGrain!

[ycamal]

I want to be a ghosthunter win I am 18.

[Mary]

Hi ycamal! Stick around and read PureGrain's stuff about ghosthunting and it may help you get there! Enjoy!