Mel-8704 Meter Pro Nav

[Darren]

We recently acquired a Pro-Nav version of the Mel meter from Rusty of Haunted Downunder, the sole Australian distributor, and thought we'd see what this new meter can do.

The meter was designed with paranormal research in mind by Gary J. Galka of DAS Distribution and marketed through Pro Measure. The meter is named after Gary's eldest daughter Melissa who passed away in 2004.

Gary's intuitive approach to designing the meter shows heavily in its range of features and it's also great to see that development is ongoing as new ideas are incorporated into updated models.

Although technically NOT the only instrument on the market able to simultaneously monitor EMF and temperature (many data loggers can do so with a range of sensors), it is without doubt the first to do so at such a low cost. But as far as dedicated EMF meters go, this is a first! The cost together with the fact the meter satisfies many of the paranormal investigator's "wants" in a EMF meter, assures this will become one of the most popular units on the market.

The unit is rated to measure the EMF band from 30Hz to 300 Hz. As to the actual designation of this band, there are various beliefs on the allocations. The Electromagnetic Radiation Spectrum poster at unihedron.com identifies the region of ELF to be from 30Hz to 3kHz. However a generally accepted allocation is at www.vlf.it/frequency/bands.html, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_spectrum and www.e-builds.com/EM%20spectrum/ which lists the region from 30Hz to 300Hz as Super Low Frequency (SLF).

Most EMF meters including the the Mel-8704 and K-II meters monitor within this band but manufacturer specifications state the Mel-8704 will monitor between 30Hz-300Hz (the full SLF range), whilst the K-II is said to monitor upwards from 50Hz (mains power frequency). Experience shows that the K-II may respond to various other frequencies but attempts are made with the Mel-8704 to reduce "false positive" detections outside the stated range by grounding and shielding components.

The large backlit LCD display is a huge plus and whilst a momentary switch would be considered the norm, the manufacturer has used a permanent type so you can have the back light on as long as you need.

The unit also includes a burst mode for EMF measurement. This essentially changes the viewable sampling time of approximately once per second to around twenty times per second. This is achieved by utilising all of the processors speed to keep the LCD refreshing, giving a super fast response not usually seen on digital meters. Although this is at the expense of simultaneous temperature measurement, this is a much welcomed addition.

In order to keep up with such a fast response another feature becomes useful. The unit can be set to record so it retains the maximum and minimum readings encountered. This may be used in normal (EMF and temp) or burst mode (EMF only), providing yet another highly desirable feature.

The sturdy casing incorporates both an inbuilt rear stand as well as a standard tripod mount. Some models also include a separate mini tripod!

Power is via a standard 9volt battery or AC adapter (optional). Power consumption was impressive, despite the inbuilt light and backlit display I envisage a single battery would easily last through an investigation.

The pro-nav version's mini light (again a permanent on off switch) is a handy addition although the external switch is easily bumped. I've heard future models will integrate activation to the front panel buttons.

Speaking of which, the version we tested also included glow-in-the-dark buttons!

Here's some specs:

LCD Display size: 48.8mm x 25.3mm

EMF Range/Resolution: (Over range is indicated on the LCD)
20 microtesla = 0.01 µT
200 microtesla = 0.1 µT
2,000 microtesla = 1 µT
200 milligauss = 0.1 mG
2000 milligauss = 1 mG
20,000 milligauss = 10 mG

Temperature Range/Resolution:
-200 to 1370°C = 0.1°C
-328 to 2498°F = 0.1°F
Measured via standard thermocouple socket. K type thermometer with cold junction temperature and linear compensation.

EMF Measurement: 30Hz to 300 Hz, single axis

Operating Environment: 0-50 C, less than 80% relative humidity.

Dimensions: 152 x 69 x 36.3mm

The unit has impressed us to no end, and it is a great value meter for the price. But the thing that impressed us most? The thought put into the meters design - it is indeed an inspiration. While it's relatively easy for any of us to slap together a few components from a kit, or adapt a fleeting idea into a small box in order to make a few bucks - it takes a sincere interest in the field, technical know how and dedicated commitment to deliver such a quality item for a reasonable cost.

WELL DONE!!!

Gary's videos on the Mel-8704 are shown below, which also display that he is also evolving the meter further:



For Australian buyers the Sole licensed distributor is Rusty from Haunted Down Under (Tell him G.R.I. sent ya!).

For International buyers the meter is available in GRI's Product Finder where you can compare various products/vendors, or online at the following sources:
www.pro-measure.com
www.lessemf.com/ghost.html#105
www.aussieghosthunter.com
www.creepyhollowgear.com/
theghosthunterstore.com/emfmeters.html#mel
stores.ghostcatchersdepot.com/-strse-33/The-Mel-Meter-**NEW**/Detail.bok
www.ghost-mart.com/product/emf1_mel8704_emf_meter_thermomcouple_thermometer.html
testproducts.com/emf-meter-digital-electromagnetic-field-meter-200-20000-milligauss-mel8704-with-temperature-backlit-lcd-builtin-light-p-1198.html
www.amazon.com/Mel-8704-Paranormal-Instrument-EMF-Meter/dp/B001HTOHTS
www.paranorbill.com/buy/buy_emf_equipment.html
myworld.ebay.com/dukesenior/

Information in this review is provided for research purposes and is a guide only, readers should consult
product brochures and user manuals to confirm the information before reliance on any data contained.

Reproduction of any information or pictures must quote Ghost Research International as the source
and provide a link to the website (ghostresearchinternational.com) or this article.

[steven]

is the mel/k2 combo for sale? with red screen?

[Darren]

The one you see above is a prototype Gary created, if there is enough demand he may put into production and release it.

[steven]

Do you know how i may contact Gary?

[Darren]

Gary can be contacted through the Pro Measure or DAS Distribution links on the opening post.

[Darren]

Just heard further from Gary - a new version of the Mel Meter is now available


Another model was released previously which also detects vibration:

[pjay]

Has anyone ordered a Mel Meter, any version? If so, I'd like to know how you like it, if you think it's worth the money, etc.

[Darren]

Hi Pjay,
Yes we use one, hence the review above. Would be interested in hearing how others are finding it too.

[mrx3010]

We use the MEL as our primary EMF meter, I just saw the 8704 REM and think it will be our next addition. Do you have any info on the static field pods though, they look really useful.
Thanks,
Ron

[Darren]

Hi Ron,

You'll find a thread on the E-pods here.

[pjay]

The Mel-Meter is next on my list of things to get. I don't need the fanciest, but I like that my group will have an emf meter and temp all together.

[mrx3010]

Your going to love the MEL, any model!

[pjay]

I'm sure I will. I don't buy every new thing I hear about, I do a lot of research, and decide if I'll use it enough to get it, or if it's just a "new toy" everyone is trying. I usually wait and see what the more experienced groups think of a new product. So far, I'm pleased with every piece of equipment I've bought, and there's nothing that just sits in my kit not used.

[josh]

I have an important question to all the researchers out there, particularly the ones who have used this meter. Why do you use a single-axis unit? Around the price of the Mel-8704 or just slightly more expensive there is the TriField Meter that does REAL measures of the EM fields using a three-axis system, not to mention that it also reads electric fields and microwaves. So what I want to learn and understand is why would someone prefer a single-axis unit. Doesn't it make much more sense the reading from a 3-axis?

Thank you for your time, help and sharing of ideas. Great review by the way.

-Josh

[Darren]

Hi Josh & thanks for your comments ... all valid points. Like most things it comes down to personal preference, ease of use, balancing the features you want and the budget.

The TriField (www.trifieldmeter.com/TriField100XE.html) is a great meter although it seems only the magnetic section has 3 detecting coils for X, Y, Z. Not sure about all models though. We do try to use a range of meters (including TriField and Mel-8704) and try to back up readings from multiple units and data loggers.

Haven't got around to writing Reviews for all of them as yet but certainly feel free to add your own!

[mrx3010]

I can't speak for anyone else or why they use or don't use something, but we use the MEL because it allows us to take temp, and baselines then review the averages for an area, it also has a burst mode which allows near instant readings of the EM field and ability to record the min and max. We were using this meter well before it made the big time, and got it because of it's sensitivity. We also use the tri-field but that meter is not something you can walk around with as much, we use it more for validation and verification of a EM sources.

Darren- Any word on the MEL REM?

[Darren]

Haven't received much info on the REM model mrx but here's a link giving some idea of current models, availability and pricing:
www.pro-measure.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=97

Paul from Creepy Hollow states he'll have only 5 REM units available from December 7th, and there will be minimal units constructed.

Here's a link for the Creepy Hollow REM model sales page:
cgh.minnesotaghosts.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=52&category_id=15&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=54&vmcchk=1&Itemid=54

[josh]

Don't get me wrong, I find the Mel a very interesting meter, particularly for being a hybrid equipment that allows for instant correlation between EM fluctuations and temperature changes. But my question remains... how valid would be the readings from a single axis meter, given that EM fields are vectors? I am just looking for other people experiences and theories. How valid are those readings in paranormal investigation to you, and why?

[mrx3010]

"Surprisingly, the standard TriField Meter is one of the least expensive meters available. The few other meters below $150 read only low-frequency magnetic fields and only in one direction (not true magnitude). The magnetic section of the TriField meter has three field-detecting coils pointing in the X, Y, and Z directions. A circuit amplifies these signals and gives them the proper frequency-weighting (sensitivity increases linearly from 30 Hz to 500 Hz, but with some residual sensitivity up to 100 MHz). A unique network combines the three coil outputs nonlinearly to approximate a true magnitude."

The MELs readings are no more valid than a tri-axis sensor IME, the difference is a tri-axis has the ability to pick up distortions in the X, Y and Z directions. On the tri-field the 3 coil sensors are only active in Magnetic mode however, so when in Radio or RF mode it is much like the MEL or any other hand held EMF meter. The one we use is the "Natural Tr-Field" it is made to filter out 60Hz sources. The readings of all meters are only indicators, the problem is they are only telling us one small part of what we need to know. They are showing a measure of the disturbance in the fileds but we do not know what the frequency of that disturbance is. When they include this function into the less expensive meters like the MEL, then it will be perfect IMO.



Thanks for the info on the REM Darren, I am considering the upgrade, but it seems they keep getting better and better so I may sit a while and see whats on the drawing board.

[josh]

I wonder why they didn't create a Mel unit with three axis yet. Any ideas if they plan to develop one in the near future?

[Darren]

Not too sure off hand josh, however Gary is constantly looking for new ways to develop the item further so you never know!

[cincyghosthunter]

A display of what frequencies are present might be helpful also.

[mrx3010]

Yes I agree, frequency is important IMO.

[cincyghosthunter]

It's an interesting meter, hopefully Gary can put some more memory into it so it can continuously log the data then you could download it to a computer for graphing and analysis. I like using my Spectran NF-5020, it has a 3 axis magnetometer, and a dot matrix LCD display to display frequency and field strength as well as a digital display.

[mrx3010]

Data loging will be a great addition to the MEL.