dB noise meter app - reliable?

[bonesX]

Looking to book a TD (Donnington) and would like to measure the noise of my car before booking

Anyone know the accuracy of these noise app's? Or for that matter alternatives other than buying a noise meter

Cheers

[gruffalo]

Tried one on a mates I phone, it measured 102dB.

Tries a proper noise meter as often used by TDO's and measured 117dB.

Got measured at the track and was 115dB so I used the track day silencers.

A track day costs £150 up, a reasonable noise metrer from maplin costs £50.

3dB is double the sound pressure so how many time out was the app, I make it some thing north of 32?

[bonesX]

Oh dear, using a phone app is seriously inaccurate then

Thanks for that, I'll look into alternatives

[MikeO996]

I think phone apps top out at about 100dbs so completely useless for the task

[Terzo204]

I found them to be useless as well. Get along to a circuit to get tested - normally for free

[bonesX]

Perfect, thanks

Need to start a what meter thread

[mozzerS]

I did a quick test/comparison with my Maplin noise meter and my iphone app called SPL Meter:

They were 0.5 dB different for the same noise source - it wasn't a car exhaust but it was a continuous noise source and I am sure I did the same test on my car last year and they registered almost identical figures. No guarantees though!

Remember that all noise tests on cars are measured in dB(A) NOT dB(C) - be careful as some meters only measure dB(C)
As Gruffalo said, my Maplin Meter (Code: N05CC) was/is £50 and is a good tool for the job
Can't remember if SPL Meter was free or cost?

[Stephanie Plum]

Bear in mind Donys posted limit of 98db is drive by, not static.