Review: The NEW Batscanner From Elekon!

Review: The NEW Batscanner From Elekon! 
Elekon - Making great bat detectors even better!

It's a wonderful thing, to see a bat detector Manufacturer making an effort to improve their products. Especially when their products are great performers to begin with. It's simply commendable. The original Batscanner from Elekon is a wonderful detector, which deserves high praise. It seems to me, that this new version has even more to be happy about.
To begin with, it's smaller than the original. In the pic below, I've placed a well-known (Tascam) recorder and a PP3 9v battery near the Batscanner - To help illustrate just how pocket-able it is:

(The new Batscanner from Elekon)

Using the Batscanner is (still) very simple: There are three buttons on the front of the unit - From left to right: The Power On/Off Button, Volume Down, Volume Up. The detector's speaker is located just below these buttons, and provides a surprising level of sound when turned up (beyond 3). Volume settings go from 0 to 5 (Zero being muted, actually).

The Headphone Socket is located on the upper right-hand side of the unit. 

And, although using this jack for audio recordings is not recommended (by Elekon) I still enjoy making an occasional recording or two (every now & then). Using a shielded audio "patch" cable (3.5mm male plugs on both ends) connected to the (Tascam) recorder pictured above: I've gotten some nice-sounding results (Blogger still doesn't have an easy way to share audio files yet).

As I've stated in the past, I'm one of those Hobbyists who enjoys the musical quality of heterodyne systems. Which would explain why I'd even bother to make a recording.

This latest version of The Batscanner, still employs the built-in, advanced algorithms as the original did. As I've mentioned in my review of the original Batscanner (Link to Part 1 Here). For those who are not familiar: The algorithms are basically a set of computerized rules that are followed when making a decision. For the purpose of our discussion, The Batscanner bat detector: The algorithms decide which sounds are from bats (desired sounds) - And which aren't. These latter sounds originate from other sources, and are therefore (largely) ignored.

The new Batscanner typically retails for under $400 U.S. Dollars, when ordering from Dealers such as: Wildlife & Countryside Services and NHBS

Keep in mind, that the Batscanner may also be ordered directly from Elekon in Switzerland (via their Online Shop).

I'd suggest you check each option to see where you can get the best deal.  

The Batscanner is a good choice for someone who'd like a bat detector that is a bit more advanced than those which are typically considered (in this price range).

The more one looks into the features of this detector, the more it seems to be a good choice. As a final bit of purchasing advice: If you're considering a bat detector in the same price range (~ 250 Pounds Sterling) then you should definitely consider The Batscanner.

Using The Batscanner is very simple: Just power on and enjoy! I normally keep the volume set at 2 and just listen. I've noticed that upon initial power-on: The volume is set at 3 (out of a possible setting of 1 thru 5). I find myself turning it down one step (to a setting of 2) when listening in typical suburban environments. In even less noisy environs (such as quiet woods, etc.) a volume setting of 1 may suffice.  

When you first power-up the unit, it begins at a frequency readout of 48kHz, this is simply by design and has no effect on it's speed/performance, or ability to detect/register a bat at either side of the spectrum.

It's a very unique bat detector: Simple on the outside; easy to use, etc. While all the "magic" is at work on the inside. Namely, those algorithms.

Something new that I've noticed with this latest Batscanner, which wasn't as evident in the first version: The Orig Batscanner had fairly low sensitivity to singing insects.

The new one is much more sensitive to their calls - but in most cases, doesn't "register" (display) the frequency.

This may be considered a mixed bag of sorts: Bat enthusiasts will be pleased that it doesn't pick-up/register the frequencies of singing insects...

Insect enthusiasts will be disappointed that the unit doesn't display the frequency of the singing invertebrates. After all, it is a BATscanner - So those who enjoy listening to Orthoptera should look for another ultrasonic device...

I really enjoy using this unit! When it does pick up bats, it does so in fractions of a second. The MEMs based microphone is fairly omnidirectional, and doesn't miss much! You needn't concern yourself with being pointed in exactly the best direction (although it always helps, of course). The point being: It is not a directional microphone.

Pros:

• Small size - Very easily portable.
• Excellent sensitivity, from MEMs microphone element (which is replaceable).
• Simple operation. 
• Great pick-up range (comparable to other detectors in it's price range).

Cons: 

• The two-digit Frequency Display may be too bright for some. For those who prefer to preserve their dark-adapted vision.

It isn't adjustable, but I'm sure a small piece of masking tape would diffuse the light a bit (if desired). I haven't tested the unit in deep woods, so I didn't have a need to use the tape idea.
If you do try this: Be sure to use a tape with mild adhesive (masking tape, paper tape, etc.).

What's the bottom line? Whenever I'm off to a good "batty" location: Not deep woods/streams or lakes (because that is when The Batlogger M is best!); But, simply places like Suburbs fringed with woodland, or perhaps a Friend or Relative's home (which features a large back garden, etc.) - Then, The Batscanner is the choice I'd make; It would be the detector I'd reach for.

What I've done during the test period, was to bring a small notebook to jot down the frequencies displayed by The Batscanner while picking up bats. To look over later on - Pretty neat!

Note: This new version of The Batscanner replaces the original version. The original models will no longer be produced. Which means that going forward, only the new Batscanner will be available.

Happy bat detecting!

First Impressions: The NEW Batscanner From Elekon!

I'm very happy to report the arrival of The New version of Elekon's Batscanner handheld detector. The new loaner unit for test and review, arrived several days ago (to me here in New York, USA).
I was away from home, when the unit was delivered. I spent several days at a new bat detecting location: My Mother-in-law's apartment building in New Rochelle, NY. I occupied my evenings there, by performing some mini-bat surveys. Also checked all the trees for roosts during the day, etc. None found.

In any case, let's get back to the subject of this wonderful little detector! It is just so cool - I really like this one! Here is how it comes packaged, inside the box:
(similar to the way new books are packaged sometimes)

In any case, this method keeps it safe from damage, etc. The Batscanner sports a newly tooled case, that is even smaller than the original Batscanner! Cool! See pics below, where I try to convey it's diminutive size:

Preliminary tests show that it is just as sensitive as the original Batscanner, and possibly even more-so. The openings for speaker sound are different on this latest unit: It has small round holes to allow sound through (very similar to it's big Brother, The Batlogger M).
The (MEMs) microphone placement is still front-and-center (which is my preference). I prefer a bat detector's microphone to be either in the center of the front of the unit; or even a bit off-center. But, I do not like to see microphones mounted all the way to one side.

There's a lot to be said for a bat detector that is small and light enough to carry with you anywhere...You can easily place it in your pocket (just about any pocket!) on your way to an area which is good habitat for bats. It's also very nice to have with you, when serendipitous bat detecting opportunities present themselves.

If you're looking for a small, ultra-portable bat detector - Then look no further!
 

Elekon Batscanner Full Review

Happy bat detecting!

The NEW Batscanner from Elekon Part 3 Of 3

The new Batscanner from Elekon, is a scanning heterodyne type bat detector. Thankfully, the local weather has been cooperating; so I was finally able to do some good testing of the detector. What follows, is the conclusion, of my 3 Part post.
So, the Batscanner has been picking up bats, and works as it should - When a bat flies within range, the echolocation is heard from the front speaker. And, if the user wishes to listen with headphones: Any standard headphones (with 3.5mm plug) work fine. I tested the unit with several name-brand earphones, and didn't encounter any problems. As expected, when headphones/ear-buds are plugged in, the front mounted speaker is disabled.
I have also tried some extensive testing, with the detector hooked up to various recorders. I did not end up getting any good results. As per the manufacturer, this detector was never designed to be used for un-attended recording. It was made for listening.

I agree that the Batscanner is, in fact very easy to handle & listen with. In my case, I just like to experiment with recording from different bat detectors. And, of course, it's always fine with frequency division detectors. But, as we know: Recordings from heterodyne detectors are practically useless anyway -

When using the various NiMh rechargeable batteries (as mentioned in Post 2) I noticed that I got mixed results; and short battery life. Then it occurred to me: The fact is, the Batscanner was designed to use 3 1.5v AAA-type batteries. The rechargeable batteries are rated at 1.2v (although, most times, they do provide higher amperage). Not a problem. Going forward, I'll be using high quality alkaline disposable batteries; and I've already noticed an improvement in performance and length of battery life. So, that's good.

An interesting discovery:
Upon testing frequency response/frequency read-out by producing known frequency tones: The display did not seem accurate. In fact, the only way I can get the display to read anything at all, is if I produce a 20 kHz tone... Nothing else was picked up or registered (10, 30, 40, 50, 60kHz..etc.). The program I used is called Usonic. It's a free, DOS-based program that uses your computer's "beep" speaker - Sometimes, it will use one of your main speakers, on a laptop, for instance. If interested, you can download it HERE (from the Durham Bats Group Website). In any case, I contacted Elekon about it, and found out that this is by design. A very clever design, I might add! Here is an excerpt, from Elekon's reply: 

 "...but you underestimated us. If you go outside and "listen" to the bats you should have no other animals or noise you hear. The point is that we are triggering bats with a complex hard- and software - combination. If you have a linear signal we know, that it is not a bat and don't display it."

Wow! Is that amazing, or what?!? What this also means, is that the unit will not focus on any unwanted sounds that you may encounter in the field. Very cool!

All-in-all, I like this detector! It's sensitive, perfect for Bat Walks, and displays the peak frequency of the last bat that flew by. Helping the user get closer to making an identification of the species. 
All this, for only $265 US (+VAT and/or shipping). I'll probably be writing a simple one-page, review of this unit in the near future. And, I'll provide a link to where it will be. 

Happy bat detecting!