Hearing Protection: Over-Ear EarMuffs for $11, Deciber Meter for $10

If you are looking for a basic decibel meter, the Tacklife SLM01 in the red/black color scheme is currently on sale for $10, sold by Tacklife with the orders fulfilled by Amazon, so Prime members get a free 2-day shipping. This is powered by a single 9V battery. They average 4.2 out of 5 based on 60+ customer reviews.

This design seems to go under many different brands. I have a similar one from another brand with a slightly different outer shell. These are not professional / calibrated things, so do not make life-and-death decisions based on their readings.

The same brand is offering their new condition Tacklife Noise Reduction Safety Ear Muffs for $11, fulfilled by Amazon. They average 4.7 out of 5 based on nearly 60 customer reviews. These are hearing protection only. They do not play music.

These are organic sales, not a lightning deal, so expiration date is unknown.

January 21, 2018 Filed Under: accessories Tagged With: , ,

Dr. Meter MS 10 Sound Level Meter for $12

We have a mini-theme today of budget gadgets for audio, the Dr. Meter MS 10 sound level meter is on sale for $12 in the yellow/black color scheme by a marketplace seller with the order fulfilled by Amazon. This is a design that sells under different brands and outer shells. It is fairly basic, it is powered by one 9V battery, has a standard tripod socket (good use for the budget selfie sticks with a screw). It does not take a continuous reading, I forgot whether it’s once per second or something like that. I have to find mine, I’m not sure where I put it 🙂 It’s not a professional tool, but then again, it’s not a professional price either 🙂

Check also further down the product page under “Special offers and product promotions” for combined purchase promotions from the same seller. This is not a lightning deal.

May 9, 2017 Filed Under: accessories Tagged With: ,

Dr Meter MS10 dB Meter for $14 w/coupon [hardware; not app]

If you want a basic stand-alone hand-held hardware sound meter (not a phone app), the “Dr Meter MS10”, a device that appears to be sold in various brands and skins is currently on sale for $14 with coupon code UYZ98DYT offered by a marketplace seller with the order fulfilled by Amazon.

It averages 4.1 out of 5 based on 230 customer reviews, and has 29 questions answered. It promises to be +/- 1.5 dB and measures in 0.1 dBA steps. They are powered by a 9V battery. They take measurements every few seconds, it is not always measuring. It can also be mounted on tripod-type devices, perhaps a good use of selfie sticks 🙂

Let the price set expectations. I have a similar-looking one from a different brand but I can’t find it 🙂

PS: the page there has a handy “How Loud is Too Loud” picture in the gallery, picture #4 over there, showing examples of “real world sounds” from 10 dB to 145 dB. Sorry audiophiles, you only allowed to watch firework shows on a TV 🙂 Kids may use this to lobby their parents against doing the grass (“look ma/pa, the lawnmower is in the RED ZONE, no can do!”).

April 12, 2017 Filed Under: accessories Tagged With: ,

Basic Digital Sound Level Meter for $14.39

Since we are talking hearing protection, a parallel to that is a basic decibel sound level meter. For under $20 you can get a rough estimate of how loud the music is between your ears or if you are blasting the speakers in the car or at home or how loud some of your regular work and hangout places are.

There are variations on a theme on this budget model, the more “extreme looking” in Yellow Black goes for $14.39 and Prime eligible, while the more subdued model in Cream and Black goes for $18 and also Prime eligible.

These are basic models that sample twice per second and can offer a continuous read (two new readings per second) or calculate a Maximum or Minimum (per individual session). They are powered by a 9V battery, so that’s a minus if you are a fan of using AA rechargeables for everything. Despite the spartanness of features, it has a tripod mount. They are accurate enough to get a general measure but if you want them for specific medical or studio/music purposes, you probably need to get a more advanced model. I am playing with one of these and a review is on the list of things to do.

June 15, 2016 Filed Under: accessories Tagged With: