Review: Brand-New Stereo Batscanner From Elekon AG Part 2 Of 2

Review: The new Stereo Batscanner - Scanning bat detector from Elekon Part 2 of 2

The current User Manual, is a straightforward, one page document (now available in pdf format Here). It is currently available in both the English and German language.

I'll admit, I do not have a lot of experience using Stereo bat detectors - But - Testing Elekon's new Stereo Batscanner (on a recent field trip) was a real pleasure.

I was pleasantly affected with this new Stereo Batscanner, right from the start. Having a sensitive, high-quality microphone on each side of the unit, makes it twice as hard to miss any foraging bats.

An FG Knowles Mic on each side (Port & Starboard):

Above the detector in this Pic, is a (high-quality) right-angle stereo adapter. Along with a (shielded) Stereo patch cable (for connection to a recording device). Both are 3.5mm.

The 3.5mm audio output jack, is located at the front & center of the bat detector. A right angle (male-to-female) stereo adapter (like the one pictured above) may help to keep things neat. These may be found/purchased separately, 
As many are already aware, The FG Knowles microphone element(s), such as those used in The Stereo Batscanner are rather robust. In other words, they are quite tough. Their small, dainty appearance might lead one to presume they are delicate - But, this is not the case. Even so, I rather wish there were something there to protect the Mic...Perhaps a thin circle of (acoustically-inert) Felt/material.

There is no denying, that the Stereo Batscanner is unique. The only other (popular) Manufacturer producing stereo bat detectors, is Ciel (in Germany).

The Batscanner Stereo (in the dark)

  
In use - The best description I can offer, in one word is: Pleasant. I envision experienced Bat Workers enjoying the sounds of bats foraging, in stereo. In heterodyne mode, mind you; considered by most (experienced bat listeners) to be the most pleasant mode in which to listen. I'll take this opportunity to remind the reader, that even with the year 2015 approaching, there are still those who enjoy the simple pleasure of listening to bats. In heterodyne mode.
Have a listen yourself, to a quick & easy recording I made below:
(The Stereo Batscanner was connected to a Tascam DR-08 via a stereo patch cable)

Can you tell which direction the bat is flying from? 

The point is, that this detector is of value to both the Hobbyist (who, for example) may not be overly concerned about which direction the bat began it's flight from -To- The Professional, just starting out (with Surveys, etc.) -To- The seasoned Professional, who will be able to easily confirm the bat's direction of flight. -Or- even an individual who prefers to use it outside of work; just relaxing in the back garden. I'm sure the market for potential owners doesn't end there...

Pros -

• Stereo!
• No tuning needed - Scanning Heterodyne.
• Wonderful, small size - Fits in a pocket!
• Relatively long battery life.
• Easy to record from, for unattended monitoring.

Cons -

• Slightly higher price than some other detectors.

Thank you, to Elekon AG, for the loan of the new Stereo Batscanner.
I understand, that there have been a few (minor) improvements made, since the very first prototype was released. Perhaps I'll be re-visiting one of the very latest (full-production) Stereo Batscanner units in the future?

In any case, I am planning to add more recordings -and- a couple of sonograms to this post, in the near future.

Until then...

Happy bat detecting!

Up next, will be a Review of The New SMZC Songmeter platform from Wildlife Acoustics.
Followed by a Review of the new M500 USB Mic from Pettersson.

Review: Brand-New Stereo Batscanner From Elekon AG Part 1 Of 2

Review: The brand-new Stereo Batscanner - Scanning bat detector from Elekon AG

It's finally been announced & released! I'm very happy to report, that I've had the opportunity to test (and use) the new Stereo Batscanner from Elekon for months now...And now, since Elekon AG has announced it - I'm finally able to share my thoughts.

This turned-out to be a very fortunate situation; the timing was perfect, since I was able to test the new detector on one of my recent "mini field trips". We travel to a location (not too far from here, actually), where the bats are even more plentiful (and diverse) than those I routinely record at home.
The result, was a digital recorder full of stereo recorded bat calls! I used my ultra-portable Tascam DR-08 recorder. 

The new Batscanner Stereo, shown with stereo patch cable

(notice LED indicator near 'A', representing Auto Mode)

While on-site, at the "batty" location, a substantial amount of time was spent testing The Stereo Batscanner. The first half, of this particular test session was devoted to testing the new unit's general abilities, as a hand-held bat detector (before hooking it up to the digital recorder, via a stereo audio cable).
It was a real pleasure to use. Of course, there were many (general) similarities to the original Batscanner. The exciting part, was hearing the bats as they flew from Point A to Point B. This new stereo Batscanner adds a wonderful, new dimension  to bat detecting:

A user is able to determine the direction of flight of the bats, as they are being detected.
This can be accomplished by using your ears - And/or your eyes:

• The front-mounted speaker produces enough clear audio, to allow most (experienced) bat chasers to actually determine the origin of the calls, as a bat flies from left to right (or vice-versa). 
• The (very clever) LED indicators on the front panel (below the frequency readout) also indicate which (of the two) microphones are detecting ultrasounds. Very neat!

So, if you cannot decide which direction the echolocation's are coming from, using just your ears...You will be able to determine which direction they're coming from using your eyes!

I found, that simply listening to the foraging bats, was very enjoyable with this new stereo Batscanner. I believe that many experienced detector users will also find this new Batscanner a joy to use. It has all been very exciting for me.

The new Stereo Batscanner arrived promptly from Elekon AG, in it's typical box (packaging) which may be seen below:

 The Stereo Batscanner, in it's box as received (via UPS)

I love the small size and weight of this unit. It's very similar to the original (Mono) Elekon Batscanner. It's nice to have such a capable bat detector in such a small, and easy-to-hold enclosure.

 The battery compartment

The new Stereo Batscanner is also available from NHBS:


 
Features - The new, Stereo Batscanner from Elekon is a scanning, heterodyne bat detector. As it's predecessor, it automatically scans the detecting area for any ultrasonic bat calls - When it detects the ultrasound of a bat's echolocation, it stops scanning, and displays the peak frequency of the detected call.
During my testing, I found the unit's ability to display peak frequencies of the detected bats to be quite accurate. While simultaneously using high-end bat recording systems, to confirm. 

The Stereo Batscanner is super-easy to use: It powers On, by depressing two buttons on the unit: The Power-On -and- Volume Up buttons. This design (also present on the original Batscanner) prevents the unit from being turned-on accidentally. While in transit, in a pocket, etc.

This detector has the potential to suit a variety of different owners: From Beginners just starting-out, to experienced "veterans" (Hobbyists), to even Professional Bat Workers who would like a comfortable, easy-to-use detector for quick listening sessions, etc.

You can tell which direction the bats are flying from, even from the recordings. Very nice.
I intend to post the various stereo recordings, in the up-coming Part 2 Of 2 of this review.

There is much more to follow, in Part 2...
  
Happy bat detecting!