Hi there,
What can I say about the Pettersson D500X?
If you're looking for a static full spectrum recorder to leave out on site, the Pettersson D500X, the Anabat Swift, the Elekon Batlogger C and the Wildlife Acoustics SM4BAT FS are the ones to consider.
All units record bat calls very efficiently, but the main consideration is going to be deployment times. The Batlogger C can last for 5 nights with the single included battery or 10 nights with the optional additional battery. The D500X can last for 5 nights (Mk I) or 14 nights (Mk II). The SM4BAT FS and Anabat Swift can last for up to 30 nights.
My choice would be the Anabat Swift or the SM4BAT FS, for their longer deployment times, though the Batlogger C is pretty cool.
With all of these units you'll also get a free bat calls book worth £35: either British Bat Calls by Jon Russ, Social Calls of the Bats of Britain and Ireland by Neil Middleton et al, Bats of Britain & Europe by Christian Dietz & Andreas Kiefer, Is That a Bat? by Neil Middleton or a £35 voucher.
I want you to be 100% happy with your purchase so call me on 0333 9000 927 for advice.
Warm Regards,
Martin.
The D500X is an ultrasound recording unit intended for long-term, unattended recording of bat calls. In contrast to time expansion bat detectors, the D500X records full-spectrum ultrasound in real time with virtually no gaps between recordings. The recorder is equipped with four slots for CF cards, which typically makes it possible to leave the unit in the field for more than a month. The triggering system allows the device to automatically start recording as a sound is detected.
The D500X is supplied in one of two versions: The Mk I version includes an internal microphone and has an external microphone jack socket. The Mk II version includes an external microphone and does not have an internal microphone. The Mk I is powered by 4 x AA batteries and can record for up to 5 nights. The Mk II version uses C cell batteries and can record for up to 14 nights. Both of these deployment times are dependent on the batteries being used. An external DC power source can be used.
The external microphone can be extended using XLR cables up to a distance of 100m without experiencing any discernible signal loss.
The recording length can be selected in steps from 0.3 up to 20 seconds. In order not to fill the card too fast at locations with high activity, a minimum time between two recordings can be applied. The recorder is normally operated in a low-power mode with no pre-trigger (i.e. the recording starts as the sound exceeds the chosen threshold level), but both pre-and post-trigger functions are available in the standard (not low-power) mode. The D500X stores the bat calls in time stamped wav files.
The D500X comes in a rugged and weather-protected aluminium housing. Various accessories are available, such as an external microphone with extension cable up to 100 m and a soft protection case with hooks to hang the unit in e.g. a tree.
Specifications
Type: Direct, high-speed recording; Microphone: Advanced electret, jack for external microphone; Frequency range: 15 – 190 kHz (500 kHz sampling rate, high-pass filter enabled); Connections: External microphone, external trigger, external DC supply; Timer: Four on/off periods per day; Batteries: 4 x AA (Mk I) or 4 x C (Mk II), Alkaline or NiMH recommended; External DC supply: 5.5-8 V, typically ca. 200 mA (average, when recording), depends on CF card type and number of CF cards; Size: 165 x 170 x 53 mm, excl. connectors etc.; Weight: 1.2 kg incl. batteries and front panel cover; Warranty: 1 year (2 years from me) - microphones 1 year.
Recording system
ADC resolution: 16 bits; Anti-aliasing filter: Yes, 8th order, 190 kHz cut-off frequency; Sampling rates: 44.1, 300, 500 kHz (optimized for 500 kHz); Recording length: 0.3, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20 sec or manual recording; Recording medium: CF card, 4 slots
Recorders to be left out on site and producing full spectrum files.
Hand-held recorders that can record full spectrum files and most of them log GPS co-ordinates.
Hand-held recorders that can record birds, frogs and other audible species. Some also record bats.
Comment from a client:
"My bat detector microphone failed during a dawn survey and knew that I had a group of dusk surveys starting in two days time. I was not in a good place as I did not have a spare, but my equipment was less than a year old.
After my survey I contacted Martin by email and he called me back on the same day, a few hours later, after a quick nap. He told me he did not have a part in stock, but had already contacted the supplier on my behalf.
The next day I received a replacement part, free of charge and express delivered from Switzerland. I thought it was amazing, and could not believe it was resolved so quickly.
Due to Martin's exceptional service I was good to go with the surveys, and I really would like to thank Martin and Wildlife Countryside Services for making the dusk surveys happen."
David Kent
© 2015 Bat Detectors UK, part of Wildlife & Countryside Services