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.PROS1) 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.CONS1) 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.

This review is for the Advanced version. I have had this sound meter plugged in with the LCD lit up (permanently on) for roughly six months straight and it has held up perfectly. The decibel accuracy is reasonable. The screen is fairly easy to read (it has some manner of subtle always-on side lighting that assists with viewing the LCD screen in lower light conditions). It has a USB (mini-A or micro-B, I forget which) connector on the side that you can supply power to it with (it also will take batteries, and has a traditional DC 6V power-in slot on the side; so three ways to power it). You can set it to fast or slow readings; you can choose either decibel A or decibel C measurement; and you can set it to either show the highest decibel level it has measured while it has been powered on or set it to display the decibel levels it is actively measuring.Overall great product with a fair price tag. Sturdy build, the plastic case is modestly rugged (although I wouldn't throw it around or submerge it in water).

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.

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.