Review Of The LunaBat DFR-1 Pro Bat Detector Part 2 of 2

Review of The LunaBat DFR-1 Pro From Animal Sound Labs Part 2 of 2 

 

I expect Readers to find much of the User Manual to contain rather interesting bits of information. Some additional pages of interest from the User Manual include:

 

3.11 Correction of the recording level (Rec Level) AKA: (Changing the recording level [Set Rec Level]). Page 16

4. Detector firmware update (Firmware Update). Page 17

5. Useful tips. Page 19

6. Approximate working times in different conditions.* Page 20

 

*Of particular interest, if you're a battery geek (like me) - Two excellent brands of batteries are mentioned as well.

The LunaBat DFR-1 Pro is a good product for those in need of a handheld, professional-level bat recorder; which may also be used as an unattended detector, in many instances. It is robustly built, and can be relied upon to record bats in almost any situation or environment.

 

I've been informed that the very latest version of this detector, has had the buttons modified to respond to less pressure, and the amount of button travel has been reduced.

The illumination of the LEDs has also been made more energy efficient. 

 

As mentioned in Part 1 of this (2-part) review, the unit is highly customizable. Amoung the features are:

• High-pass and low-pass filters
• Full spectrum  High Pass filters
• Frequency division high pass filters

As indicated in the user manual when the full spectrum high pass filter is turned on, certain audible sounds will not be recorded, such as those produced at frequencies below 15 kilohertz. Things like conversations, walking on dry grass and / or leaves, and other undesirable sounds.

Use of this filter is recommended during recording attempts in strong winds, or when one is in fact walking on dry leaves, dry grass, etc.

With the full spectrum high pass filter enabled, the lower-frequency limit of recorded signals will be approximately 150 Hertz, which enables things like verbal comments, other voices, and other  normally audible sounds. 

During my Summer of testing, I rarely came across a situation in which I needed to enable it. When using even the default settings, there weren't many instances where sounds other than bats triggered the LunaBat. I would just hit 'OK' to record, and walk...

If you have dry leaves underfoot during your survey, bat-walk, etc., then in addition to the filter, you can adjust the trigger level. Regardless of the mode I used, no background hiss was heard from this detector. 

All of this is covered in more detail in part 3.9 (page 15) of the user manual.

 

It has demonstrated excellent sensitivity. As you will see, when I add some results below, in the form of sonograms, and recordings. ...Thank you for your patience...

Now, although Animal Sound Labs graciously provided a list of links to free sound analysis software - On their Download page (under the heading 'Programs').

I decided to go ahead and utilize the latest version of Kaleidoscope (Version 5.4.2) from Wildlife Acoustics.

Especially since an update post on this excellent bat call auto-ID software is on my agenda.

 

Eptesicus Fuscus (Big Brown Bat)

as seen with WA's Kaleidoscope Pro software.

 

Lasionycteris Noctivagans (Silver-haired bat) 

Other neat features worth mentioning are:

 

A standard (3.5mm) audio cable may be used to connect the detector to a cell phone (w/ Mic Input) - Allowing Apps such as SpectralProAnalyzer to display live spectrograms. You may also experiment with similar, spectrogram-producing Apps.

 

Once the GPS/GNSS (blue) indicator comes on, maximum signal strength (exposure to the open sky) is no longer needed.

 

The volume setting is remembered after the unit is powered off; and even during battery replacement (if completed in under ~1 minute).

The length of each individual recording may be set to anywhere from 3 seconds to 60 minutes. 

 

As always, I encourage readers to do their research, and shop around. Again, watch this space for soon-to-be-posted spectrogams!

To be continued...

Happy bag detecting!

Review: The LunaBat DFR-1 Bat Detector From Animal Sound Labs - Part 1 Of 2

Review of The LunaBat DFR-1 Pro Bat Detector From Animal Sound Labs

Part 1 of 2 - Hardware, User Manual, and other considerations.

Here is a review of a bat detector, whose arrival I'd anticipated for quite some time. It's The LunaBat DFR-1 Pro!

 The DFR-1 Pro

 

The unit arrived to me here in the U.S., directly from the manufacturer in Poland: Very, very well-packaged. Everything was neatly placed.

And one of the first things I noticed, were all of the good quality accessories which were included - I'm very keen on stuff like this:

 

Unpacking The DFR-1 Pro (unit is in the red bubble wrap bag)

 

An assortment of useful cables, are amoung the accessories included.

The DFR-1 fit very comfortably in my hand; and I'd say my hands are average -to- small sized. It is also lightweight, and very easy to hold for extended periods of time (many hours).

It weighs 175g (without battery and microphone), and circa 200g with batteries and ME-series microphone.

The LunaBat DFR-1, with Non-Illuminated Keys, is priced at 849 Euros.

The LunaBat DFR-1 Pro, with Illuminated Keys (indicators) is priced at 879 Euros.

The DFR-1 Pro bat detector is feature-rich. It has all of the useful features one would find helpful (especially while doing field surveys). And none which might be considered useless, or gimmicky.

 

Among the features which I find interesting and useful are: 

 

• High dynamic range, full-spectrum recording onto standard SD cards.
  
• Built-in sensors for temperature and humidity.
  
• Optional built-in GNSS (GPS) with convenient blue LED indicator.
  
• FD detection for listening through speaker or headphones.
• The (Pro Version) of the detector may also be powered via MicroUSB socket, via an external 5V source, such as a power bank.
  
• Information displayed on the LCD when the unit is powered up.
  
• Automatic recording triggered by signal level (performance of this feature is constantly evolving with firmware updates).
  

Some features I find unique and particularly fascinating are:

• The built-in high voltage generator, which uses 200V to polarize the membrane of optional electrostatic microphones (Model #'s MC-1, MC-2).
• The volume setting is remembered when the unit is powered back on.
• The FD processed signal may be recorded, if one chooses to.
  

 

The LunaBat DFR-1 Pro - Summer of 2020 Bats were flying very close (~ 40-50 feet).

 

Some points of interest from The User Manual:

 

2.3 Recording without listening   Page 7

3.1 Selecting the recording mode Page 8

3.5 Viewing temperature and relative humidity Page 13

3.8 Writing a KML file Page 14

3.9 High pass filters Page 15

4. Detector firmware update Page 17

 

 
The DFR-1 Pro is very easy to use, straight out of the box. It also has plenty of features to keep you busy customizing it 'till your heart's content. As always, I advise readers to download and peruse the User Manual, available in PDF format (direct link above). It will give a complete account of all features, great and small.
 

The DFR-1 Pro would be ideal for anyone seeking a high-end bat detector producing professional level results. In use, it demonstrated excellent sensitivity and solid recordings. More on these topics in Part 2 of this review.

The DFR-1 Pro has a good solid feel to it, and comes with a built-in lanyard.

The battery compartment door, is found on the lower back of the unit. Two AA-sized (R6) batteries fit inside snugly; inserting the + end first is the way to do it. There's a ribbon provided to assist in removal of batteries (which is very useful). 

Directly above the battery cover, is a convenient tripod socket.

Holding the power on button for just a second turns the unit on (it's labeled with the universal power symbol). The 3-line display briefly shows the current installed firmware version. Followed by Animal Sound Labs; followed by the default/ready screen.

With either the default, or user specified settings in effect, you simply press OK to record (seen on the last line of the display as: "Press OK to REC"). While the unit is in ready mode.

 

While it boasts Professional-level performance, it also has the appearance of what I've come to refer to as - the quintessential bat detector.  

 

The DFR-1 Pro (Photo from Animal Sound Labs). 

 

During my extensive testing (Summer 2020) I found The DFR-1 Pro to be a very accurate instrument. Listening to bat calls (live/FD mode) in the field was always a pleasure.

I was able to pick-up/record bats at respectable distances, akin to other high-end bat detectors. The Full Spectrum recordings were excellent!

The DFR-1 Pro consistently created excellent sonograms (more on this in Part 2).

 

Pros 

•  Robust design, including microphone and (optional) GNSS module. 3 modules to choose from.
  
•  Excellent sensitivity, and pick-up range.
  
•  Outstanding (384kHz) full spectrum recording quality.
•  Frequency division sounds great, and is customizable.
  
•  DFR-1 Pro FS recordings produce excellent spectrograms...
  

 

Cons 

•  No live sonograms.
  
•  No proprietary software (as with The Batlogger(s) from Elekon, et al).
  

The LunaBat DFR-1 Pro may be ordered directly from The Animal Sound Labs website.

For those who like the look and feel of The DFR-1 Pro, I'd like to mention the entry level (affordable) version of The LunaBat: The DFD-1

 

I do my best to be very thorough when testing and reviewing a bat detector. And of course, performance, quality of recordings, and features are of utmost importance.

Much more to follow, in Part 2 Of 2 of this review; where I will cover more hardware details, recordings/spectrograms, and an in-depth look at it's GNSS system.

Until then,

Happy bat detecting!