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| The Mel-8704 combines two devices that most
paranormal investigators believe to be
essential tools on any investigation. Those
being an electromagnetic field radiation
tester and digital ambient thermometer. The
package contains: the device, a Type K
thermocouple, and documentation. The Mel-8704
is comparable in length and width to a
standard digital EMF tester but much thicker.
The added girth doesn't effect the device's
weight. It's lighter weight then I expected
at only ~0.50lbs. The case appears to be
rugged and sturdy to avoid breaking during
the inevitable bouncing off a floor or being
slammed into a wall. The back of the Mel-8704
features a pullout stand and threaded hole
for mounting the device to a tripod. It also
has a 9v DC power adapter plug (adapter not
included) so you can plug it into a wall for
stationary readings. |
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| One of the key
features of the Mel-8704 is the backlit LCD
display which is very bright and easy to read
in the dark. The backlit display has a 5
minute timer to avoid battery drain or can be
turned on and off with the touch of a button.
The device has a total of 6 buttons on the
front that allow the user to navigate through
the various setting. Each button's function
is clearly shown on the front of the device
to remind the user what each particular
button does. However, navigating through the
menus will be a confusing task until you get
familiar with them.
The Mel-8704 starts off measuring both
micro Tesla and ambient Fahrenheit. In this
mode the CPU's processing power is divided
between the two measurements and results in a
lower response time. The response time is
about 1 second in this mode. The device can
be set to measure only EMF which increases
the response time to nearly instantaneous
readings. However, there isn't a setting to
measure only temperature at the increased
response time.
There is a total of six EMF resolutions
you can choose from: 20, 200, 2000 micro
Tesla and 200, 2000, 20000 mili-Gauss. Most
investigators will set the device to the 200
mili-Gauss setting since this is the
resolution most people are familiar with. It
is also possible to measure temperature in
either Fahrenheit or Celsius. Changing the
EMF range is as simple as pressing a single
button but changing the thermometric scale
requires navigating through a menu.
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| The Mel-8704's next two features are great
additions. The first feature is the Data Hold
feature. This allows you to lock the device
on a particular reading with the touch of a
button. Once you have recorded your finding
it's as easy as pressing the button again to
unlock the device. The next feature is Data
Record which allows the investigator to
record the max/min reading during any given
session. This allows you to sweep an area and
then go back and see what the maximum or
minimum reading the device recorded. No
matter what setting you currently have
active: Data Hold, Data Record, resolution,
or thermometric scale everything is displayed
on the LCD screen. This feature is a welcome
addition to avoid confusion about what
settings are active. |
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| The Mel-8704 is a powerful
investigation tool and will be a useful
addition to any investigator's equipment
case. It's packed with well thought out
features that are very useful in the field.
The device's learning curve is higher then
any other EMF or digital thermometer I've
ever used, but once you play with it for a
while it becomes easy to remember how to
activate all the features. The backlit LCD is
bright, clear, and easy to read in a bright
room or complete darkness. This is one
investigating tool you won't regret
purchasing. |
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