Review Of The Echo Meter Touch 2 Pro Part 1 Of 2

Review Of The Echo Meter Touch 2 Pro from Wildlife Acoustics Part 1 Of 2

The Echo Meter Touch 2 Pro, is the latest Android/iPhone-based bat detector, from Wildlife Acoustics.

The EM Touch 2, is a cutting edge bat recording device, which enables the user to listen to, record, and automatically identify the calls of bats, right on your iPhone/iPad or Android device.

You simply download the free App (developed [and regularly updated] by Wildlife Acoustics) from either The iTunes, or Google Play Store(s) - Plug in the unit, and you're detecting bats!

While the App is running, a live, full-color sonogram display is actively monitoring the air space for bat calls - And displaying the activity on your screen.

The EM Touch 2 would be ideal for someone who would like to detect, identify, and record bats with ease and precision. The ability to install & use this bat detector on the ubiquitous cell phone and/or tablet makes it an attractive choice. 

The Echo Meter Touch 2, would be a good choice for non-Professional users. As well as anyone interested in bat detecting (and automatic identification of bats*). Basically, any Naturalist with a penchant for bats would be well pleased with an Echo Meter Touch 2 (regular or Pro edition). 

*More on this subject in Part 2 of this review...

I was given the opportunity to test and review The Echo Meter Touch 2 Pro. And quickly realized why this particular unit is so popular with Bat Professionals the world over. 
Well, the proper In's & Out's of Wildlife Acoustics' Auto ID App, as well as additional details, etc., will be covered in Part 2 of this review.
I've recently relocated, to a more rural area. I'm very happy to report, that the area is lousy with bats! And The EM Touch 2 Pro is a very welcomed companion!

The unit itself is very small. However, it arrives very well packaged. After opening the small cardboard box, and removing the packing materials/bubble wrap - I opened the (white) Wildlife Acoustics box (shown). This box contained the custom neoprene case, within which I found The EM Touch 2 Pro:

The Echo Meter Touch 2 Pro (United States 25 cent piece shown for scale)

 

As for overall design - In addition to being small in size, The EM Touch 2's are also very light. Being constructed of ABS/Polycarbonate plastic, and weighing less than an ounce, are ideal attributes for something meant to reside on the end of your cell phone (or tablet). These are not prone to falling out/off, etc. So you can plug-in and use with confidence.

Bravo!

The Echo Meter Touch 2 modules utilize cutting edge microphone technology. Wildlife Acoustics chose a new microphone element, which happens to have very good specifications - Which, in turn, has a lot to do with the excellent performance which these modules exhibit. I hope to add a few more details re: this new mic element, in Part 2 of the review - Or in an additional update.

In use, one will become familiar with the overall performance & characteristics of the microphone. I've been very pleased with the overall behavior and character of the microphone. So far, it hasn't broken any "distance records", as in how far away it will pick-up bat calls. But it seems to be performing as well as most other Pro-level detectors I've tested.
Regular readers of this blog may remember, that the distance at which a given detector can pick-up/record bats has always been important to me.

Generally speaking, the Echo Meter Touch App is very intuitive to use. And the transition from: Opening the box -to- installing the (free) App -to- plugging-in (and using) the EM Touch module is a remarkably smooth process.
Another interesting factor to note, is that Wildlife Acoustics are making improvements & adding features to this system - Via firmware and software updates. Something which I can't help but find impressive, and I'm sure will appeal to those considering a purchase.

Several improvements and additions have already been made; and several more are on the way! I will cover these dynamic updates and added features, in Part 2 of this review.

Let's discuss The regular EM Touch 2 first.

The unit itself, is neatly designed (in ABS/Polycarbonate material) and incorporates an integrated acoustic horn:

The EM Touch 2 is a very good choice of bat detector for beginners and casual hobbyists who would like to invest in a quality product.
But there is bit more to it than that:

• To start with, referring to the Echo Meter Touch 2 as simply a bat detector, seems to be a disservice - Because it gives a user the feeling that they have a mini bioacoustics lab in their hand.

• If anything, even the regular EM Touch 2 provides a lot of capability for the price.         

The Echo Meter Touch 2 really shines, when it comes to installing and using the device. It is a remarkably smooth and pleasant process. It really impressed me - It seems that Wildlife Acoustics went to great lengths to insure that the entire set-up, from box -to- bat detecting/recording is practically seamless. Once again, smooth is the word that comes to mind. 

• Install the (free) App on your (Android or iOS) device.

• Plug in The Echo Meter Touch 2.

• Launch App / Select your location.

• Start listening to, and recording bats!

In regards to The EM Touch 2 Pro:

To start with, I found it to be very accurate when providing the auto identification of detected bat species. This was confirmed by cross-referencing the App's findings with "manual" analysis of selected bat calls.

And, it is at precisely this point in my review, where the (usual) detractors of Wildlife Acoustics' auto ID software might begin getting riled up.

Yes. There are about a handful of them. And, as luck would have it, they happen to be the designers, producers, and/or purveyors of what might be considered the competing auto ID software.

For now, I'd like to point-out that many Bat Research Professionals around the world have taken quite a liking to the new EM Touch 2 Pro's and The Auto ID App.

Keep in mind, that The Auto ID App has been developed from Wildlife Acoustics' powerful Kaleidoscope software. A well-known, and robust application with a history of competence, and use, by Professionals worldwide.

Pros:

• A very good value-to-price-point ratio - You're getting a very capable and advanced device for your $179.

• Very accurate Auto ID App for determination of the bat species detected.

• Units utilize cutting edge microphone technology.

• Small, convenient, portable.

Cons:

• Your device (phone or tablet) must be fully charged before beginning an evening of bat detecting.

• Only compatible with a certain number of Android-based devices.

The Echo Meter Touch 2 (either version) may be ordered directly from Wildlife Acoustics, or from Amazon, if that is more convenient.

At the time of this writing, the regular Echo Meter Touch 2 retails for $179 U.S. dollars. And the Echo Meter Touch 2 Pro version for $349 (remember to specify either Android-based or iOS-based device when ordering).
 
To summarize - The Echo Meter Touch 2 detectors make sensitive and accurate bat detecting available to Citizen Scientists, and Bat Researchers alike. Via the affordable EM Touch 2, and EM Touch 2 Pro.

This (Part 1 Of 2) review may get additional updates, in time. 

Part 2 (currently in progress) will address software, recordings, and Auto ID. As well as other factors.

Happy bat detecting!