Ghost Gadget Guy
Unbiased Paranormal Gear Review
Rule #1 We have yet to prove ghost exist
Rule #2 We have yet to find a device that proves ghosts exist
Rule #3 Debating Rule #2 without accepting Rule #1 is silly
Rule #4 Closed minded people suck
Gadget of the Week (or every other week . . .or so!)
August 18th ****SORRY FOR THE DELAY-New PC Coming Soon*****
  magCAM iGeo Phone |
As more developers are discovering the power of the iPhone, the DROID, etc., we are finding paranormal inventors are no exception. New apps seem to be popping up daily for ghost hunters. Some are silly. But some are cheaply replacing tools that many of us paid big money for prior.
Well, Bill Chappell, inventor of the controversial Ovilus, has done it once again. He has taken a break from producing hardware and has developed some neat apps for the iPhone, with their version for the DRIOD coming soon. All total he has seven apps out now, with one even being a version of the Ovilus. Although most are experimental, two of the apps are IMHO must haves for those paranormal investigators with iPhones.
The magCam
The magCam uses the iPhone’s 3 axis magnetometer and camera to create a powerful tool for the paranormal field. Essentially, the app measures the average EM field around the phone, and when it sense a change (user defined) in that field, it snaps a pic and saves it to your picture folder with time stamped data. 
Innovation= A Once again, Bill invents a "why didn’t I think of that!" item. I’m sure developers were smacking their heads wishing they were first. Well, you weren’t.
Ease of use= B Although this is simply a fire it up, adjust the level and leave it app, the fact that I have not found a cheap good tripod mount for the iPhone is frustrating. Yes, I have a windshield mount I can use, but it is pricey and a pain to use. And one minor issue. The screen graphics are vertical, but the data orients on the horizontal axis when saved (see above picture).
Quality= A This is a simple, well designed, perfectly executing app!
Price= A+ This is $1.99. A decent EMF meter with a data port out is $100+ and a decent digital camera with a trigger input is $500+. You do the math.
Bench Tested- I really dig this app. Why, becomes it’s simple and it works. Vibration or light did not trigger the app, but introducing EMF set it off. In fact, on the highest sensitivity it was triggered from over five feet away. This was not a battery hog either, although it does not go into sleep mode.
Field Tested- I have used this app twice now in the field. Although I have not gathered any solid evidence, the device did trigger several pics once when my MEL meter did not record a spike in EMF. Maybe it was the sensitivity? Not sure, stay tuned.
iGEO Phone
The iGEO Phone uses the iPhone’s three axis accelerometer as a very sensitive vibration detecting tool. It not only displays a live meter of vibration detected, it tracks and displays the minimum, maximum, and average reading. It is also sensitivity adjustable.
Innovation= C Well Bill, like my 3rd grade teacher once said, "I expected more out of you." There are several seismic apps out there that do much more than this. In fact, not only does iSeismo have a better display, it has an alarm, will data log, and send you the data via email. I’m sure Bill will update, but this has so much more potential. How about vibration and EMF data logging? Maybe even add a light intensity capture? How about a graphic representation of the vibration, meaning it will display footsteps. Oh, and timestamp it too!
Ease of use= B Yes it is simple, but it’s too basic. Give me more tools. And the display is too small to be read if you are more than a few feet away.
Quality= B App works as designed, but needs an update.
Price= C Sorry Bill, other apps for .99 do way more.
Bench Tested- This does as designed. As the iPhone’s accelerometer is very sensitive, this is also. It captured slight tapping on the bench, and even a truck going by. Can’t say much more.
Field Tested- Since my 3GS will not run multiple apps, if I have to pick between running the camera and this, the magCam won. Have not used, nor will until an update is added.
Bottom Line- Although the iGEO Phone is a swing and a miss, the magCam is a home run. Bill continues to make great inventions for our field and I know he will continue.