* Camera - You dont need anything special just a 400 speed film camera or a digital camera.

*  Flashlight w/ spare batteries - a common sense item.  Remember to bring spare batteries for everything.  Due to spirit activity, batteries often run down very fast and you don't want to miss anything because of dead batteries.  *  First aid kit  - just in case, it's very easy to trip in the dark and get cut.

*  Notebook w/ pens and pencils- you need to write and log in everything  that happens.  If you don't then you really don't have much research information.
An example of this is one investigator gets a EMF reading that's high and never writes it down.  Another investigator takes a picture of the same area but is not aware of the reading and gets a anomalous image.  Without that EMF reading the picture may be good evidence, but with a report noting the reading, the picture greatly increases in evidence value.  Many investigators use a pocket tape recorder in stead and that is fine, just make sure you have spare batteries and tapes.

* Jackets or weather appropriate clothes - if you are cold you are not at your best and your observation skill could suffer, pretty common sense.

* Watch - so you can log in the times of events and your arrival and departure.

Advanced and Optional

*  Video camera  (optional tripod) - A regular camcorder can be used for video taping in lighted or day light conditions.   The Sony line of camcorders has an infrard nigth shot feature that enables you to video tape in complete darkness and see beyond what the human eye can see. 

*  Tape recorder w/ external microphone and high grade tapes - You have to use a external microphone when recording EVPs (ghosts voices).  If you rely on the internal microphone you will also be recording the internal gears and motors and this will make your tape worthless.  Any sound you hear on the tape could not be used as evidence because of this, so use the external mic, they are pretty inexpensive.  The type of tape that is most often recommended is high bias tapes or metal tapes.

*  Digital audio recorders - This recored is small and easy to carry.  You can also use the voice activation feature so there is less audio to review.    I use this for my notes as well.  Most units record teh time of the recording as well which is very useful.

* EMF Detector - These meters read the electromagnetic fields in an area.  It is a common theory that spirits disrupt this field in such a way that you can tell one is present by higher than normal readings with this meter.  There are many types and price ranges.   You need to be aware of the natural readings in an area or building before you assume that your reading a ghosts presence.  Make sure that you know where power lines, electrical line, major appliances and electronics are before you begin your readings with this useful and easy to use tool.   You can try using a compass in place of this , the needle compass would move or shake when something was interfering with electromagnetic field the compass relies on the work properly.  

* Night Scope - This tool may be useful in viewing some spirit activity and many groups , including mine, have reported some success with them.  They are pricey and a good one can run into the 1000's of dollars.

*  Cellular phone - if you have one it can come in handy in case of an emergency.

*  Candles & matches - batteries often run low during hunts so you may run out of them and still need a light source.  Another good idea is a camping lantern that runs on lamp oil.   Be careful using the candles around motion detectors, they will set them off.

* Motion Detectors - these can be used to sense movements by often unseen forces or spirits.  You can get battery operated ones for about 20 dollars and they are great for inside but I have seen them used successfully outdoors as well, just watch the placement.  you don't want a tree branch setting it off.

*  Thermometer or Thermal Scanner - You can use a digital thermometer that you can get for 25-50 dollars or spend a bit more to get a point and shoot thermal scanner.  All of these are good for detecting cold spots that are often found in haunted places.  I recommend using the thermal scanner guns in indoor areas because they shoot out a beam that reads the temperature of whatever it hits.  It's easier to keep track of areas indoors with this type.  A regular digital or analog thermometer works better out side because it is detecting the air that is currently in, so if you hold it in a  cold spot and them move away, you would get a temperature increase and that would give you a truer reading of the temperature difference.  *  Hand Held Radios  -   Or Walkie Talkies are very useful in a large outdoor area and a building with groups spread out in various rooms.  They could be great in emergency situations or just to rotate groups.  Be sure to be aware they could interfere with your EVP recording though.