Recording equipment for paranormal investigations - what's actually worth buying?

I've been looking at setting up a proper recording setup for investigations and I'm absolutely overwhelmed by the options. Digital voice recorders, full-spectrum cameras, thermal imaging, IR illumination, the lot. My budget is about £800-£1000 and I want to actually make efficient use of it rather than just buying gear for the sake of it.

Here's what I think I need: a decent digital voice recorder (for EVP work), an IR camera or thermal imager, and something for environmental documentation. But I'm not sure about the hierarchy - which is most essential and which is nice-to-have?

I'm also interested in proper technique rather than just equipment. I've heard various theories about EVP recording (frequency response matters, specific questions matter, session length matters) but I'm not sure which are actually grounded in any methodology versus just paranormal folklore.

What's your actual experience? What equipment has genuinely helped your investigations and what's turned out to be a waste of money?

For £800-1000, I'd allocate roughly: £200 voice recorder (Zoom H1n or similar), £400 thermal camera (used FLIR, as discussed elsewhere), £200 misc (good torch, thermometer, spare batteries, documentation kit). That gives you the core toolkit.

EVP recording is genuinely interesting but don't expect immediate results. The technique matters more than equipment sensitivity - consistent questioning, proper audio levels, controlled environment. But thermal imaging gives you more immediate actionable data, so prioritise that.

Honestly, start with a good audio recorder and thermal imaging, skip the full-spectrum camera for now - it's more about spectacle than data. Your phone can document location and basic audio. A thermometer is free information. Then invest in proper training before your next kit upgrade. Most novice ghost hunters spend money on equipment they don't understand how to use properly.

I've heard various theories about EVP recording (frequency response matters, specific questions matter, session length matters)

All of that's real, actually. Frequency response matters because you're looking for anomalies - you need baseline understanding of what normal recording conditions sound like. Questions matter because you're testing responsiveness, not just hoping for random sounds. Session length matters because patterns emerge over time rather than in isolated moments.

EVP is controversial even within paranormal circles, but if you're going to do it, do it properly. Get a Zoom H4n or H6, learn audio editing, understand what your equipment's actual limitations are. The thermal camera is more straightforward - temperature anomalies are either real or not, there's less subjective interpretation.

Avoid full-spectrum cameras and "ghost boxes" - that's equipment designed to sell rather than investigate. Stick to measurable phenomena: temperature, electromagnetic fields, audio anomalies. Then you can at least defend your data even if sceptics argue about interpretation.

Buy a decent voice recorder (not anything fancy, just reliable), get proper batteries, bring a torch and a notebook, and learn to sit quietly in the dark for long periods. That's 90% of successful ghost hunting. The equipment is less important than patience and observation. Spend your money on location research instead - understanding history and why phenomena might occur is worth more than any camera.