Recommend me a decibel meter

[Fatrat]

I'm looking for a cheap (but accurate) decibel meter.

Any suggestion?

[Conian]

maplins, about £20

[jonnyleroux]

if you buy one from maplins get it calibrated before using it!

[agent006]

jonnyleroux said:

if you buy one from maplins get it calibrated before using it!

Thus making it more accurate than the ones used on nearly every circuit in the UK.

[Fatrat]

This one?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/mini-sound-level-meter-226...

[T180985]

Fatrat said:

This one?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/mini-sound-level-meter-226...

i sware they have that one strapped to the end of a stick at Brands Hatch, ive used that one though as it was accurate enough to give me an idea whether i would get through the checks

[Conian]

the hard part about buying one is whether to get an A or a C weighted model.

i cant remember the exact way around, but one of them is the actual noise being generated, the other is weighted to make the meter hear it in the same way that the human ear does, because we dont hear all frequencies at the same volume or something like that.

[GreigM]

Conian said:

the hard part about buying one is whether to get an A or a C weighted model.

i cant remember the exact way around, but one of them is the actual noise being generated, the other is weighted to make the meter hear it in the same way that the human ear does, because we dont hear all frequencies at the same volume or something like that.

I believe A is the measurement you need to use...

[GC8]

Choose one of the following:

i] accurate
ii] cheap

The Maplin product linked-to / recommnded has an accuracy of +/- 3.5dB, so not even remotely accurate; as each increase of 3dB equates to a doubling of sound pressure.....

[mindstar]

So what would be a good one to buy?
And how to measure? Inside the exhaust or just in front of it?

[agent006]

This is the one I see/use most often when doing MSA scrutineering noise checks:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/digital-sound-level-meter-...

As for where to measure, 1 metre away at 45 degrees to the exhaust is common but it's best to replicate whatever the track in question will do.

[Club MSV]

Hi all,

You may find the noise testing information on our website useful with regards to how tests are carried out at MSV circuits: http://www.clubmsv.com/car-home/faq.aspx

Thanks,
Alex
Club MSV