electronic detecting devices...

[Russell Spriggs]

Matt, you pretty much have all you need.
The voltage sniffer, mentioned above, is also a great tool.
Keep an eye on pawn shops for cameras- they give you 3 days to check them out. My criteria: 3MP or better, SD card, AA batts, $40 max.

If I can't carry it in a fanny pack with zippers (along with my CW), I don't carry it.

With the exception of a spotlight & a stepladder . . .

[mporras]

To each his own....

I wear a leather electricians tool pouch for most of the inspection. I don't bring it into the crawlspace, and only into an attic with enough space to get around...

The pouch was slightly modified to hold: two longer screwdrivers (phillips and slotted), telescoping mirror, small level, moisture meter, circuit tester, led maglite, small toothbrush (for wiping off data plates and the water meter gauge), infrared thermometer, voltage sniffer, CO detector, and a multi-tool. I wear it on a wide leather belt. The belt has other pouches and attachments where I carry my ultralight, a camera, my pda, cellphone, extra AA batteries, a two prong adapter, gloves, amp meter, small bottle of bubble juice (for testing suspected gas leaks) a small monocular, a pen, a small compass (in case I need to verify direction to properly ID where a defect is).

Yes this is quite a bit of c**p to carry with me, but I hate having to go back to my bag every time I need something. It is heavier, but I do less walking overall, and if I left something behind, I know about it right away, cause that pocket is empty...

BTW, I was a TV photojournalist for 17 years before I became an inspector. TV photogs are kinda like "pack mules". In local TV news, you work alone most of the time, or with a reporter-ette. Along with your 25 pound camera, 35 pound tripod, and a 45 pound light kit, you had to carry around a bag with extra bulbs, batteries, tape, cables, tape head cleaner, multi-tool, extra mic, various connectors and adapters, etc. It was really embarrassing to be in the 19th floor of a building, and have to go back down to the car cause you didn't have an extra tape, battery, or other necessary gizmo in your bag... while the reporter and the interview waited for you. Needless to say, I got used to carrying around lots of stuff. (Maybe that's why my back hurts.... )

My two cents....

[bsumpter]

Even less expensive here:
http://www.amazon.com/Sonin-50211-Ra.../dp/B0000224DA