Personally I'm not a fan of rs232 interfaces now as USB has pretty well killed the old ports on new PCs. Try and find a modern netbook or thin laptop with a rs232 port, your options will be limited.
Since the Extech USB is cheaper than a Galaxy with optional cables I'd just get the Extech USB if I was only going to use it sparingly. The downside is there is no screen/display on that model so you can't get real time as you do it values. I don't know if a USB extension cable would allow the software on the PC to act as the real time display but I would prefer even a three digit LCD to no display at all.
I'd be contacting Extech or paying attention to the return policy of my retailer if I wasn't sure about the lack of a screen being an issue on the Extech USB.
The downside to the Galaxy is running off a 9v battery which probably means replacing the battery more often than the Extech USB (which uses a 3.x volt lithium battery).
fyi, Most of the brands use 9v batteries but the Protek uses 6 aaa instead. Could be significant if you want to use rechargeable batteries.
I'll update the main post style here
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The SPL primer seems to be gone from the original site so here is an archive copy
http://web.archive.org/web/200603180612 ... /slm.shtml
Code: Select all
Min dBA Price Brand/Model
30 120 Nady DSM-1 Digital SPL Meter
32 130 Galaxy Audio Checkmate CM-140 SPL Meter
30 140 Protek SL1700 Digital Sound Level Meter
30 200 Extech 407760 USB Sound Level Datalogger
30 250 Galaxy CM-150 Check Mate SPL Meter
30 250 Extech SL130 LED Alert with Alarm
30 250 Extech 407750 Sound Level Meter with PC Interface
30 250 Extech 407740 3 Range Digital Sound Level Meter
26 300 Discontinued - Extech 407738 - Discontinued
30 300 Extech 407768 Sound Level Meter with PC Interface [RS-232]
30 350 Galaxy Audio CM160 Checkmate SPL Meter w/Hard Drive
30 400 Casella CEL-240
30 650 Quest Technologies Type 2 Sound Meter, basic
17 1300 Casella CEL-430 (A1 or A2)
30 1450 Quest Technologies Type 1 Sound Meter, basic
13 ???? Norsonic Nor118 Sound Level Meter
17 ???? Norsonic Nor131 Sound Level Meter
18 ???? Larson Davis 812
18 ???? Larson Davis 820
17 ???? Bruel and Kjaer 2250 Light
25 ???? Bruel and Kjaer 2238 Mediator
The standouts are
Code: Select all
Min dBA Price Brand/Model
30 120 Nady DSM-1 Digital SPL Meter
30 140 Protek SL1700 Digital Sound Level Meter
30 200 Extech 407760 USB Sound Level Datalogger
17 1300 Casella CEL-430
13 ???? Norsonic Nor118 Sound Level Meter
There may be better choices but if so they don't show up well on the Google searches I chose and/or they are new as I haven't done the brute force searches since my first post on this subject.
For a casual user the Scosche SPL1000 or
Nady DSM-1 might be enough for to settle an argument or satisfy curiosity.
For a more serious use the Extech USB models at 30 dba or the
Extech 407738 claims to do under 30 dba for under $300 but you'll have to find a used one on eBay or pay even more for a professional grade unit.
And if I were trying to keep up with SPCR I'd be finding prices on all those stupid SPL manufacturers that don't sell to the retail market. God only knows who makes what at what price. But you can definitely get something that will read under 20 dba if you try hard enough and have plenty of cash.