BAFX Products - Decibel Meter/Sound Pressure Level Reader (SPL) / 30-130dBA Range - 1 Year Warranty (Standard)

I own both, the smaller basic meter (BAFX3370 dBA only) and the larger (BAFX3608 dBA/dBC) advanced meter. PROS 1) Gets you some good data for how loud your neighbor's really are, and whether or not you should evacuate before the loudness causes hearing damage. 2) Has a nicely and easily readable lit display, including light sensor for usage within dark or dimly lit areas. 3) For the ADVANCED BAFX3608 dBA/dBC meter: Although Windows only, the software is made by "Sound Lab" and titled "Sound Level Meter", and is a nice simple tool, and easily comprehensible or easily utilized tool, as well as apparently being packaged without bloated software and/or software features. 4) For the ADVANCED BAFX3608 dBA/dBC meter: When connected via USB ports, the device is automatically powered through the USB port. 5) For the ADVANCED BAFX3608 dBA/dBC meter: If you so desire, you can stand at your window or outside your door holding this very large meter for the next door neighbors to readily see you're have issues with their noise! (I wonder if anybody also sells any flags stating a person is going to file a civil complaint?) 6) For the ADVANCED BAFX3608 dBA/dBC meter: This dBC capable device performs much better than the dBA capable devices, and significantly notices the lower-frequency noise range displayed by small 4-cycle engines. CONS 1) Familiarize yourself with the peak level button, else you may find you're not getting the results you desired. 2) No adjustment for auto shut-off power saving feature. (ie. If you plan to leave this device for more than a few minutes, the device auto powers off.) 3) For the ADVANCED BAFX3608 dBA/dBC meter, the unit does not allow the users to specify the initial on state of the readings. For example, the unit defaults to dBA and fast reading when initially turned-on. I prefer to always take readings using dBC and slow, mainly dBC as this tends to detect the lower frequency range better than dBA and selecting slow/average readings to average in anomalies versus readily seeing a distracting spiked sound anomaly. Likely when recording, the slow reading option maybe more desirable unless you're trying to monitor for very short bursts of sounds such as gun shots, and then faster readings are desired in order to capture the short bursts of sound. 4) For the ADVANCED BAFX3608 dBA/dBC meter, although already heavily specified Windows Only software, such a simple device should be able to output using libUSB (and likely does so already) simple streams of data that can be easily piped into a text file for graphing by other open sourced tools. (I'll have to use WireShark to further examine the protocol used, whether serial or libUSB. USB Vendor Device ID is 64bd:74e3 "SM".) 5) For the ADVANCED BAFX3608 dBA/dBC meter, the hardware manual states possible to sync the time with the computer when connected via USB, but no option appears to exist. 6) For the ADVANCED BAFX3608 dBA/dBC meter, a pamphlet packaged with the device gives a download URL for downloading a copy of the software (eg. SLVersion2.exe), but this is really an old copy of the software dated 2015.10.07, and the newest version (as of this writing) is already packaged inside the box of the device, using a small mini CDROM. (The version on the mini CDROM is SoundLabSetup20160720.exe, or dated 2016.07.20) Would really be nice to have a USB feature for computer logging, or memory for logging, and easily transferring (regardless of operating system) to a computer for hard copy. (This feature is now implemented within the larger Advanced BAFX Decibel Meter.) NOTES: The ADVANCED BAFX3608 dBA/dBC meter contains a usb SILICON LABS C8051F320 8051 8-bit Microcontroller hub chip, with the firmware registering the device under Windows' Device Manager as both, a HID-COMPLIANT DEVICE and USB INPUT DEVICE. The device's USB product vendor and model USB id's are 64bd:74e3 "SM". The device contains a likely closed soure firmware, likely incorporating some minimal addressing with arguments commands to initiate retrieving recorded records, ordering the device to start sending live data, and commands for getting the current time and sending the current time. If I had more time, I would provide some C code to perform these functions, but this is tedious work versus having the specifications or already written code. The hardware manufacturer should be providing the firmware specifications (eg. PDF) for communicating to the device via ASM/C programming code. (eg. Uniden provides specifications for their firmware used on their hardware products, although sometimes difficult to find.) ATTACHED: Attaching an image comparing an apparently older basic BAFX sound decibel meter alongside the newer larger BAFX sound decibel meter.

I ordered the advanced sound meter version. Can't speak for the accuracy as this is my first meter, but this review more so to praise the ease of use and functionality. First off, props for the instructions. An easy read. Shouldn't take long to get acquainted with device. There's also a little troubleshooting page at the end which I appreciate. Packaging is nice - I like the protective case it comes in. I had to download the software online (which is an an alternative provided in the instructions), but I appreciate the mini disk included lol. The main selling point for me was the data-recording software. I bought this device with finding out what's making the weird noise under my car. The graphing feature included is nice because I don't have to keep my eye on the screen. I can just start recording, move around the undercarriage, then when i'm done plug it into my computer and figure out from there. The software is easy to use and set up. And I appreciate having an offline program rather than those apps that I'd probably have to make an account for, and, god forbid, subscribe to use. Overall, for my basic uses, I'm glad I made this purchase. Hopefully I'll remember to check back later and see update how the device is keeping up.

I purchased this tool to verify the noise level of my exhisting dishwasher machine. It was a 22 yr old machine from the time the dBA ratings were not published. I knew I had the quiet pack 2 on it, but I could not find any hard number to compare to the new ones. I used this device to determine the max noise level and it worked very well. Just note that almost absolute silence is something around 40 dBA. I purchased a new machine rated 48dBA while the old one read 65dBA peak. Update Sept. 29 2019: I got my Apple Watch ( iWatch) series 4 updated with iWatch6 which brings the NOISE app. Apple shows the sound levels in dB, but indicates elsewhere these are A weighted, therefore dBA I compared the sound levels using the Apple Watch and the BAFX3370 device and the readings are considerably apart. What concerned me was that I have seen YouTube videos showing the Apple Watch reading very close to more expensive sound meters. It concerned me that I have seen so different readings on both devices, but I am not sure which one is off and which one is accurate. In a very silent environment the Apple Watch indicates 34 dBA and the BAFX3370 oscilantes between 41.5 to 41.8 dBA. Since 6 dBs indicate 4x the level, these readings are light years apart. I will keep the number of starts until I figure out which device is not reporting correctly.

The decibel meter works great! I've been using it on my mom and sister because they're talkative, joke a lot with each other, can't seem to hear themselves, and are obnoxiously loud. My sister's squawking, high-pitched laugh ("Ha!"): 95.7 db from 5 feet away! Wow! No wonder my ears hurt! My mom needs sound amplifiers, so her "normal voice" alone is loud. When she was yelling while making some joke about a grumpy Santa Claus: 93.4 db from 5 feet away! They didn't know I hid the decibel meter, so this is the noise level I have to tolerate every day. (Not easy, let me tell you. But they have their mental/physical disabilities, so I can't always complain.) The great thing about the decibel meter is can turn it on, select the option that measures the top record, maximum noise level, and I can walk away for up to (I think?) a good 15 minutes before it shuts off. One thing I wish it did is has a memory of what it recorded, for when I don't make it back to the meter in time and see how loud they got. I've also captured my mom playing with the silverware as she throws it in the silverware drawer: 118.5 db from 1 foot away! This time, she knew I was using the decibel meter, so she made sure she threw down the silverware with much emphasis. Other than that, what can I say? It's easy to use, conveniently has a battery included in the package, fits comfortably in my hand, and is small enough to hide (It's the length of my hand). I'm happy I made this purchase. The only cons is possibly how quiet it will measure. Even in the middle of the night, when the loud ones are asleep, I can't seem to get it below 32 db in the bathroom, even when I shut off the light, leave the room and shut the door. So, I wouldn't recommend it for measuring how quiet things will get. There's a high possibility it's not as sensitive as an expensive, high-quality decibel meter, which is expectable of a product at this low of a price. Still fun in the higher decibel range, though!

Fast and accurate with quick boot-up and clear display. It does not keep a record of decibels over time, only holds the highest or lowest reading replacing it with a higher or lower level when detected. However it is light and handy to keep on the factory floor and does a great job for the price.

Seems to work great. I've probably needed one of these many, many times. Not really required, just wanting to take a sound level and put a number to. Instead of saying "yep, that sounds loud" I can now say "Yes, that is 118.4dB". Honestly, I have no real need for it, but it's great to put a number on sound levels. It's even fun to just play with. I was putting a new audio system in, and was attempting to compare old system levels to new, to see what my new system did for me. As well as test specific frequency outputs to test and set the audio tuning. I'm no scientist, and I'm not exactly setting up my environment and testing methods as such. But for a way to test levels, this thing is small, easy, and seems to be accurate. I really like it. Anyone wishing to audio tune, test exhaust output dB levels, or even maybe a band checking levels, this thing is easy, and simple and puts a number to it instead of "Yeah, I think that sounds louder".

I needed a simple, easy to use and consistent decibel meter for product reviews that I do. This BAFX meter absolutely does the trick and is consistent. Primarily I use the LOW and MAX functions to record ambient (LOW) and evaluating noise made from flying machines (MAX) so that we can do basic audio comparisons regarding noise generated and if we should or should not be requiring hearing protection. This unit can bee off by a decibel in either direction, so we fail SAFE by requiring hearing protection if the source of noise is even close. It's well constructed and I make frequent use of the 1/4 20 threaded receiver which is the standard mount for all photographic tripods etc. Battery life is fantastic, read out is clear, absolutely performs as expected and I can't imagine anything better for the money spent. I definitely recommend it without hesitation to friends and colleagues.

It works. I do not have anything to test the accuracy of this unit against so I cannot say how accurate the readings are. What I can say is as long as your readings are consistent then the accuracy doesn't matter if all of your measurements are with the same unit. It could be off by 5 decibels but so will all the readings you take. I've used this to measure the loudness of several air conditioning systems so far. Helped me show that one was significantly louder than the manufacturer claimed it to be. I compared it to other units I had which were getting normal readings. I also used it to measure the sound level of a super loud AC fan in an apartment to make sure it was not in the damage causing zone of loudness. However this is where accuracy comes into play again, it isn't a comparison and for this you would want a for sure accurate meter to test with. This is a great tool for a home user to do some comparisons with and I have no doubt that it actually is fairly accurate as well. I just wish I had a way to test this.