Review Of The Titley Anabat Swift Part 3 Of 3 - Three Optional Microphones Tested

This Post serves as Part 3 Of 3 of The Titley Anabat Swift Review (If you haven't already, see Part 1, Part 2)
As well as the testing and comparison of the 3 microphones which are currently available, from Titley Scientific. These optional Mics allow additional, significant customization of your AnaBat Recording set-ups. 

 

In it's current state, this post is just a rough outline, I'm posting it here as a placeholder. It will be added to, as soon as time allows.

Owners of either The Anabat Swift, or The Anabat Express bat recorders, should be aware of the 3 Microphones currently available, from Titley Scientific.

The post immediately preceding this one, lists some detailed specifications and information on each of the 3 Mics (as per Titley). 
What follows below, are just some of my findings:

1. The Anabat Omnidirectional Ultrasonic Microphone - US-0 V3

While doing some experimental tests, using The Bat Chirp II (artificial bat, made by Tony Messina); I was able to get (mechanical-looking) sonograms. I'm sharing these here, mainly as a "curiosity".

This was at a distance of 50 feet.

Here is just a small section of the sonogram, as recorded by "Mic #1": The US-0 V3

The Bat Chirp II as heard by the US-0 V3 Mic on The AnaBat Swift

2. Anabat Directional Ultrasonic Microphone US–D V1
 
This was at a distance of 50 feet.
Here is just a small section of the sonogram, as recorded by "Mic #2": US-D V1

 

For my own purposes of organization, I refer to this microphone: Anabat Omnidirectional Acoustic Microphone AS–0 V1

as "Mic #3" - I apologize for not having a spectrogram from this Mic to share. I am currently still sorting through the recordings made using this Mic (again with the aid of The Bat Chirp II [artificial bat]). I will be adding (at least) one sonogram to this post soon...

 

Here is a sonogram of a real bat, made using "Mic #1" Anabat Omnidirectional Ultrasonic Microphone US-0 V3

 

  

A real bat, recorded using The US-0 V3 Mic on AnaBat Swift

(bat was approx. 100 feet distant)

For further, current Info, on these Mics as well as other compatible accessories, have a look at this page, from Titley's Scientific's Site.

Until then, Happy bat detecting!

Typical Recorders Used For Recording Bats

When using the typical, hand-held bat detectors - The ones we all know & love so much : ) A couple of items are needed, if one intends to record bats. First, of course, is a digital recorder.
The fact is, just about any device that can record sound can be used; including your laptop PC. Anything from a $15 tape recorder from RadioShack, to a top-of-the-line Sound Devices 7xx series can be used.
What I would like to share, are some recommendations that I've received, directly from a couple of bat detector Manufacturers. I love it! What could be better?!?
OK, first up, is the well known Pettersson D240X. If you just think about it for a moment... Many of you will probably remember which recorder has always been recommended (and, many times pictured with) this detector...
Yes, it is the Zoom H2 Digital Recorder! OK, that was an easy one! The D240X is pictured with the Zoom H2 recorder on a few different Web sites (in several languages!).

Next up, the BatBox Baton (from BatBox Ltd.). Here are the recommended recorders:

The Yamaha Pocketrak 2G, was initially recommended by BatBox. It's cost, was around
£175.00. (Details on the following link) 
But, it has been discontinued. Yamaha now has this model available: The Yamaha Pocketrak C24, which costs a bit more (at ~ $199.99 US dollars)

The Transcend MP33- 4GB USB (MP3 Player)
It costs only £35.00. Details on the following link
There's also the Transcend MP330 8BG USB (MP3 Player)
*Note:It doesn't record .wav files, but you can
convert from mp3's. It should suit both the Baton and the Duet.

Another well priced model that was recommended, is from American Audio,
called Pocket Record. It is available from CPC (code DP3028605)
at 75.00 + VAT. Details at this link. However, you will need to purchase a lead with a stereo
3.5mm plug at one end and two mono 1/4 inch jack plugs at the other end,
in order to connect it to a Baton, Duet, etc..

And, lastly, I found this "Alternative" recorder - Similar to the above. Details on the following link.

Next post, I will cover some of my digital recorder recommendations; as well as Cables, etc.

Happy bat detecting! 

Just something I came across while surfing the Web...

While surfing the Web, for additional research data on bats - I found a certain scientific research paper; that was written, using the Big Brown Bat as the test species. The link to the PDF, etc. really isn't important. I wouldn't want to "single it out" or anything anyway. And, in any case, the data is far too detailed to be of interest to the average bat enthusiast.
But, one of the pieces of equipment used, was this company.
It appears the equipment is no longer available, but at the time it was called the IOtech WaveBook/516E.

In addition to this ridiculously expensive piece of equipment, were equally expensive microphones.

Frankly I just think that it is really excessive, and ridiculous. There are plenty of manufacturers today, that offer excellent equipment - With equal or better capabilities.
With far less complicated interfaces/software; and for far less money. I believe both hobbyists and Researchers are very fortunate today, to have many bat recording solutions that are essentially "Plug & Play"

Here are some that come to mind: 

Pettersson's D240X - D240X

Wildlife Acoustics' SM2BAT - SM2BAT

Binary Acoustics' FR125/AR125 -  FR125/AR125

Animal Sound Labs' LunaBat DFR-1 - LunaBat DFR-1 

In the meantime, I've gotta tell ya, I do my best, not to fall in love with the bat detectors that I review... : )   But, this D240X from Pettersson is a real beauty! Be sure to read my recent review of it, on this Blog!

And, finally - Here are 2 sonograms I made, using Raven Lite; representing it's Time-Expansion capabilities:

 

I'll post more sonograms (and sounds) in the near future.