Where to buy dB meters?

F

FoghornLeghorn

New member
I see on Amazon plenty for sale, but they mostly max out at 130dB.

Where do they sell such meters that will go up to the level of gunshots? Something portable.
 
You do understand that the dB reading is going to be different depending upon the meter's orientation to the front of the barrel? If you put the meter directly in front of the gun (in line with the bore) you'll get one reading, if you put it 90 degrees to the bore another reading, and at the shooter's position another different reading.

If you're looking to compare sound levels between guns or loads in the same gun - as long as the meter is in the same orientation to the muzzle of the gun you will see the relative difference.

If you're looking for absolute sound level - then when you decide the position of the meter you can back into it as described below.

dB decreases 6.02 dB every time the distance is doubled from the source.

Move the meter back 16 feet from the gun and you should be within the meter's dB range. Then add the dB back in to the reading to get the sound level at the distance you want from the muzzle of the gun.

As an example -

16-feet the meter reads 120 dB.

8-foot distance would be 120 + 6.02= 126.02 dB

4-foot distance would be 120 + 12.04 (6.02+6.02) = 132.04 dB

2-foot distance would be 120 + 18.06 (6.02+6.02+6.02) = 138.06 dB

1-foot distance would be 120 + 24.08 dB (6.02+6.02+6.02+6.02) = 144.08
 
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Keep in mind that the maximum dB level of the meter is not as much of a factor as is the response time of the microphone. Most microphones are too slow to provide an accurate measurement of a gunshot's maximum dB level.
 
A suggestion. Its quite possible to rent dB meters (& the needed calibrator for them) if this is a short term test you're planning. Look at "Industrial Safety suppliers" for a source.
 
Might aready exist ???

Its quite possible to rent dB meters (& the needed calibrator for them) if this is a short term test you're planning. Look at "Industrial Safety suppliers" for a source.
Click to expand...
Then again, it's quite possible that this "general" data, already exists, on the internet. In the past, I have seen "some" bullet data like this but do not know to what extent it has been documented. .. :confused:

Be Safe !!!
 
From what I have read online, they really don't work all that well. Of the three I have tested for Android, all three gave different readings for the same gun loads over multiple firings. I think it goes back to both the software and the mic speed as noted above.

The other problem is reliable calibration. All such units need to be calibrated and there is no way that software is going to be able to determine its own calibration for the unit it is on, being it a Galaxy S4, Android, iPhone, Razr, etc. all of which use different electronics and mics. So you need independent calibration.

Otherwise, for a series of readings, all you will be able to know is that higher readings mean louder and lower readings mean less loud but you won't know if they are anywhere near to being actually true readings for the noise pressure level.
 
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