Review on 🔊 Extech 407730 Digital Sound Meter: Measures Sound Levels from 40 to 130DB with Accuracy by David Strawn

This Extech 407730 dB Sound Level Meter is easy to use and works very well. The instructions are simple and clear and everything works as expected. I had never owned or used a sound level meter before so I wasn't sure what to expect and someone told me it might be difficult but according to Dr. For Leonard Bones it is "so simple what a child can do. McCoy from the original Star Trek (episode "Spock's Brain")! Having "A" and "C" ratings is good. Make sure you know which one to use for your specific application (I'll research the web to find out more). It measures from 40dB to 130dB and I was surprised that 43dB matched my main backyard background noise, no wind but birdsong. The Max Hold feature is great too; It stores the highest rating on the display. So if you set up the meter remotely, you can still see what it recorded. I mounted it on a regular camera tripod and it worked fine. It actually has a metal tripod thread, unlike some (expensive) digital cameras that use plastic. The only downsides I can point out are: 1) the little foam windsock that sticks out at the end is quite flimsy and comes off too easily, but no bump; and 2) the battery cover is held in place with a tiny Phillips head screw rather than just snapping open. So you will need a very small Phillips #3 screwdriver to pry out the batteries and hopefully you won't have to do this at night or in the bushes. Plastic housing and slightly soft rubberized keys. The display is easy to read (not sure if it's backlit, I only used it during the day). Once you've read the instructions, you won't have to fiddle with it again because it's so easy to use. . The batteries are of the cheap type, they probably last about 25% of the life of a good pair, but otherwise it's a very good device and probably overkill for recording late night neighborhood parties. I used it for a basic research project and published the results and it worked great for that.