Editorial Product Review:Item Description:Digital Sound Level Meter --- Analog bargraph with 50dB range updates every 40ms
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Buyer Reviews
Average Buyer Rating:
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Easy to Use Decibel Sound Meter
This Extech 407730 decibel sound meter is easy to use right out of the box and it works very well. The instructions are simple and easy to understand and everything worked as expected. I had never owned or used a sound meter before, so I wasn't sure what to expect, and someone told me it can be complicated, but it's "So simple a child could do it", to quote Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy from the original Star Trek (Spock's Brain episode)!
Having both the "A" and "C" ratings available to use is a good thing -- make sure you know which one you should use for your particular application (I did some basic web research to learn more). It measures 40 dB to 130 dB, and I was surprised to find that 43 dB is about my basic background noise in my yard, no wind but birds chirping.
Also, the "Max Hold" function is great; it keeps the highest rating on the display so if you mount the meter remotely, you can still see what it recorded.
I mounted it on a basic camera tripod and it worked fine. It actually has a metal tripod mounting thread, unlike some (expensive) digital cameras that use plastic.
The only nits I can pick are: 1) The little foam wind sock that sticks over the end is pretty flimsy and it comes off too easily, but not a biggie; and 2) The battery cover is attached with a tiny Phillips head screw, rather than having a cover that simply snaps on. So you'll need to find a very small #3 Phillips head screwdriver just to remove the batteries, and let's hope you don't have to do this at night or in the bush.
It seems well made for what it is -- basic plastic case and slightly mushy rubberized push buttons. The display is easy to read (not sure if it has a light, I only used it during the day).
Once you familiarize yourself with the instructions, you pretty much don't have to bother with them again, it's that easy to use. The batteries are the el cheapo type that probably have about 25% of the lifespan of a good pair, but otherwise, this is a very nice unit that's probably way overkill for just recording the neighbor's late night parties. I used it for a basic scientific research project and published the results and it worked fine for that.
Customer Rating: -
Worth the money
Took just a few minutes to figure out the tool . You'll find that reading the manual first helps a lot since there are several mode. Something that is not mentioned in the sales literature or website is the accuracy. If you are looking for super accurate, then you will need to buy other equipment to calibrate this each time you use it. However, it seems to be very consistent during a session of use. Worth the money.
Customer Rating: 
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nice unit, good value
I use this db meter in a professional recording studio for spot-checking SPL around the control room throughout the day and work week. It's tremendously easy to use and anyone can quickly find their way around it's buttons.
Customer Rating: -
Good little unit
Overall not a bad unit. I used it to set my guitar effects pedal output volume level, so that the volume level would be the same for each selection. The only slight downside is the unit automatically shuts itself off to conserve the batteries, which got irritating while I was working. If I want it off, I'll turn it off and if I forget, shame on me!
