LunaBat DFR-1 PRO

LunaBat DFR-1 PRO detectors have most of the features and parameters of the LunaBat DFR-1 detectors (standard version produced in 2015-2020), however, they differ in the following properties:

• built-in additional high-pass filter (FD HPF) in the listening signal path with a switchable low frequency limit (10kHz or 15kHz).  The switching takes place from the menu level and is independent of the state of the high-pass filter (FS HPF) operating in the recording path in the full-spectrum mode. Thanks to this, it is possible to listen a relatively low frequency echolocation (e.g. tadarida species, etc.) or some social voices below 15kHz. 

•  have a modernized mosaic of paths on printed circuit boards and some of internal connections, the effect of which is a further increase in the resolution of recordings (reduction of recorded disturbances and lowering the noise) 

• have a special high-voltage generator for polarizing the diaphragm of MC-series electrostatic microphones, which is activated automatically after connecting a compatible electrostatic microphones (available from April 2021). Electrostatic microphones have several dozen times greater active surface of diaphragm, which translates into a much higher sensitivity than microphones with electret transducers (ME series). The larger surface area of ​​the diaphragm also increases the microphone’s directivity, which is useful e.g. when searching for a colony of bats.

• have an additional internal power switch for connecting external power source via standard microUSB cable connected to built-in micro-USB socket (powering from eg. powerbank etc.) 

•  have modified, electronically controlled headphone output socket which allows 2 new functions (in addition to normal listening using headphones) : 

1)  connecting the detector’s FD signal output to microphone input in smartphone or tablet via optional adapter cable for eg. observing of signal spectrogram (proper application needed – look at the DOWNLOAD tab on the top of the site). The new headphone socket allows you to connect the cable without disconnecting the monitoring on the built-in speaker, unlike when you connect standard headphones

2)  connecting external smartphone or tablet via optional USB-adapter cable for external monitoring the GNSS data from optional GNSS receiver connected to the detector   

 

Detector LunaBat DFR-1 PRO with GP-3 optional mobile multisystem GNSS receiver (GPS/Glonass/Galileo/Beidou) and the prototype of our new MC-1 electrostatic microphone :

 

NOTE: standard LunaBat DFR-1 detectors can be also upgraded to PRO version (contact with Manufacturer).

 

Technical specification:

• Sampling rates for Direct High Frequency recording: 192 kHz, 256 kHz (default) and 384 kHz
• Sampling rates for Frequency-Division recording: 24 kHz and 48 kHz (internal HF/FD intelligent switching)
• File format for recordings: WAV-PCM, 16-bit, 1-channel (mono)
• File format for Temperature/Rel. Humidity/Geolocation: TXT-files (they can be converted internally to Google KML file)
• Capacity of memory cards: 2-128 GB (tested, SDXC/exFAT memory cards >32GB should be reformatted in detector in FAT32 file system)
• Signal to noise ratio (for ME-4 microphones, FS HPF enabled):  >60 dB 
• Signal to noise ratio of the recorder (REC VOL: <012):  >70 dB
• Recording bandwidth (+/-3dB): from ~150 Hz up to :
  • ~190 kHz (S.R.=384 kHz)
  • ~126 kHz (S.R.=256 kHz)
  • ~95 kHz (S.R.=192 kHz)
• Lower limit frequency (-3dB) in Full Spectrum Rec mode with highpass filter (FS HPF) enabled: 15 kHz
• Lower limit frequency (-3dB) in Full Spectrum Rec mode with highpass filter (FS HPF) disabled: 150 Hz
• Lower limit frequency (-3dB) in Frequency-Division Rec mode and in listening speaker path: 10 kHz (FD HPF: Low) or 15 kHz (FD HPF: High)
• Total Harmonic and Intermodulation distortions of the FS recorder: <0,05% (over recording bandwidth)
• Sensitivity threshold level (with ME-4 mic and 40kHz): ~20 dB SPL
• Levels of recording sensitivity regulation: 128 levels (0 to 127, default: 63)
• Threshold levels for triggered recording: 128 levels (0 to 127, default: 63)
• Running time on AA cells – see: REC TIMES tab.

Characteristics of the detector:

• Replaceable microphones for easy upgrade/service/change directivity and frequency response in the field
• Broadband High Frequency/Direct Ultrasonic Recording on SDHC/SDXC memory cards in popular WAV-PCM format
• High quality Delta-Sigma Analog to Digital Converter (clear recording without typical aliasing distortions  like in simple SAR ADC’s)
• High-pass filter in recording path can be enabled im menu (Fd=15 kHz) to eliminate audio interference
• Additional and independent switchable FD High Pass Filter (10kHz or 15kHz)
• Ability to change the width of the recorded band (and therefore also the size of WAV files) by changing the sampling frequency
• Possibility of a “classic” audio FD recording – ultrasounds are processed by the built-in FD detector can be saved at lower sampling rates: 24kHz and 48kHz (both of these modes still allows you to record the Lesser horsehoe bat echolocations in FD mode)
• “COM” switch for recording the spoken comments with temporarily disabled High-Pass Filter and switched the recording source to the linear broadband HF signal
• Linear Amplitude Retention System during live monitoring on speaker or headphones 
• High quality industrial grade, waterproof (IP-67) German microphone connector for stable and long lasting work of microphone without disruptions caused by the operation under field conditions
• “Intelligent” headphone connector detects headphones or two optional expanding cables
• High headphone output level for using even with the low sensitivity headphones
• Unique function: built in Temperature along with Relative Humidity sensors (data data are stored in .txt and .kml files and can be also viewed on LCD in MENU)
• 8-point recording level meter (LED line) below the LCD display
• Selected Sampling Rate and the state of two High Pass Filters (FS HPF and FD HPF) are displayed on LCD
• Built-in real time clock (recordings are marked with the date and time of the recording in WAV file attributes and in the filenames of WAV files)
• Displays current time, the recording time and the amount of available space on the memory card on the LCD
• Displays current GPS position (in the MENU)
• Google KML file can be generated on memory card with marked date and time to recognize where the files were recorded (along with the local temp/humidity data)
• Possibility to synchronize internal Real Time Clock with GPS / Glonass / Galileo / Beidou clock via optional GP-3 GNSS receiver with ability to localized time shifting.
• 4-point battery voltage level indicator on the LCD
• Automatic creation of subsequent recordings (3s, 5s, 10s, 15s, 30s, 1m, 2m, 5m, 10m, 20m and 60min each)
• Automatic / triggered recording (128 sensitivity steps)
• Automatic shutdown of the detector and recording process after accumulator/battery discharge to a safe level of ~ 1.0V / cell
• Requires just two pieces of the most popular AA cells (primary batteries or Ni-MH accumulators)
• Very low power consumption for maximum recording time ~ 6-8h (depending on the capacity of used AA cells) or ~11-14h with listening only (without recording)
• Ability to turn off the LCD backlight, illuminated keyboard (if installed) and the level meter for stealth behaviour or even more savings on power consumption
• Socket with “photographic” 1/4–inch thread for mounting on a tripod or connecting with other photographic accessories
• Rubberized side edges to ensure a good grip even when wearing gloves
• Firm wrist strap
• Lightweight – 180g (without battery and with ME-series microphone),
• Optional microphone extension cables
• Optional smartphone extension cables
• User upgradeable firmware via USB cable and Windows (or Wine equipped LInux machine)
• Date and time of recordings and log files in the name of the WAV and TXT files (format of the filenames:  YYYY_MM_DD_HHMMSS.wav and YYYY_MM_DD_HHMMSS.txt)
• Possibility to change recording sensitivity im the menu (useful in places where the recorded voices are very strong – in this way, the recording distortion is avoided, and at the same time the level of the recorded sensor’s own noise is reduced, which allows to increase the dynamics of recordings even to levels higher than 70dB ! )
• Possibility of automatic recording triggered by the signal level (defined in the menu); in the current firmware version (v.7.33) sensitivity is selected in the range 0 … 127 (the default is set to 63). After the automatic recording is started, a recording is created of the length defined in the menu (e.g. 3, 5, 15 seconds or longer), if the signal level after the recording is still above the defined threshold – another recording is automatically created.
• Possibility of cooperation with new electrostatic microphones (e.g. MC-1) thanks to the built-in high voltage generator for diaphragm polarization, activated automatically after connecting the microphone
• Switching the lower cut-off frequency of the high-pass filter in the FD HPF listening path from 15kHz (H) to 10kHz (L) regardless of a separate FS HPF filter set at 15kHz (H) or turning it off (L) in the recording path, thanks to which it is possible to listen to the loudspeaker echolocation or social voices below 15kHz. Filter status shown as two letters L or H on the LCD display.

 

 

Sample recordings from LunaBat DFR-1 PRO detector.

Comparison of broadband recording quality of LunaBat DFR-1 PRO detector with ecoObs Batcorder 3.1 recording of remote bat flights on extremely enhanced dynamic range of spectrograms, so the light blue color represents the noise level of the recordings (synchronized recordings pasted to left/top and right/bottom channels respectively):

Comparison of recordings from LunaBat DFR-1 PRO w. ME-4 mic and ecoObs Barcorder 3.1 detector near the noise level (click on picture to enlarge)

Zoomed different fragment shows slightly more sharp and detailed informations stored on LunaBat DFR-1 PRO recording (also with maximized dynamic range for showing behaviour near the noise levels):

Zoomed comparison of recordings from LunaBat DFR-1 PRO vs Batcorder 3.1 near the noise levels (click on picture to enlarge)

EcoObs Batcorder 3.1 although has more flat noise spectrum but also has a slightly higher noise level and slightly lower sensitivity than LunaBat DFR-1 PRO with a standard ME-4 microphone with a single sensor with quasi-omnidirectional polar pattern.

Recordings were made in spring 2021 in South Park in Wroclaw (Poland).

Przykładowe nagrania szerokopasmowe (nagrania pochodzą z prototypowej wersji detektora z jesieni 2015r.) :

Nagranie 1 – Karlik drobny (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) spektrogram:  

Nagranie 1 – Spowolnione 10x. Oryginalne nagranie szerokopasmowe jest TUTAJ (prawy przycisk myszki i  “Zapisz link/element docelowy jako…”)

To samo nagranie w spektrogramie darmowego programu Audacity:

 

Nagranie 2  – Karlik większy (Pipistrellus nathusii) spektrogram:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nagranie 2 – Spowolnione 10x. Oryginalne nagranie szerokopasmowe jest TUTAJ (prawy przycisk myszki i  “Zapisz link/element docelowy jako…”)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nagranie 3 – Podkowiec mały (Rhinolophus hipposideros):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nagranie 3 – Spowolnione 10x (powyżej)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nagranie 3 – Spowolnione 20x.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oryginalne nagranie szerokopasmowe jest TUTAJ (prawy przycisk myszki i “Zapisz link/element docelowy jako…”)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recording times limited by power:

Charger: TechnoLine BC-700, charging current: 700mA,
Memory card: Samsung SDHC 32GB CL-6 UHS-1 
Other parameters: Fs=256kHz, HPF=OFF, LED=ON, firmware v7,30, environment temp.: 23-24°C (or described)
Max recording time = summary time of all WAV files in manual recording mode until battery depletion and detector is going to sleep (at ~1.0V/cell).

Cells:
Panasonic Eneloop AA (min.1900 mAh, typ. 2000 mAh) => #1: 6h 38m 15s, #2: 6h 46m 26s, #3 (with GP-3, temp. 6-7°C): 5h 48m 47s

IKEA LADDA AA (min. 2450 mAh) => #1: 8h 24m 45s, #2: 8h 41m 11s, #3 (with GPS, temp. 5-6°C): 7h 28m 33s

Varta Ready To Use 2600 mAh => #1: 8h 31m 52s, #2:  8h 22m 23s

AEROCELL AA primary alkaline batteries => 4h 58m 34s

**NOTE: The cheap Aerocell primary alkaline batteries from Lidl discount have the capacity ~2170mAh after discharging to 0,8V with 250/350mA current, and 1550-1600 mAh when discharged in the detector, which is currently optimized to use with Ni-MH rechargeables, and therefore recording times on primary cells are relatively weak, but it will be improved in future firmware versions.Simple comparison of  primary cells on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0865bHyRjQ

Recording times limited by memory card space:

Memory cards from different manufacturers differ in actual capacity, eg. the card added with the detector (Samsung 32GB SDHC UHS-1) has real capacity 31 426 871 296 B. Here is assumed that  1 GB = 1024 MB = 1 048 576 KB = 1 073 741 824 B.

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GNSS Logging

By connecting an optional GNSS receiver (for example mobile GP-3 receiver) the LunaBat DFR-1 PRO detector is gaining the following abilities:

• possibility to synchronize the internal clock with the exact clock of geolocation systems (with possibility of local time shifting),
• logging the coordinates in text logs,
• possibility to generate popular Google KML files directly on the memory card without the need for additional converters.

When writing the WAV files, the log files (in simple TXT format) are also written to the memory card. Log files includes the readings from internal temperature and relative humidity sensors, and (if connected) the GPS receiver status with geolocation coordinates. The names of the generated TXT logs are identical to the names of the simultaneously recorded WAV files, in YYYY-MM-DD_GGMMSS.txt format (Year-Month-Day_HoursMinutesSeconds), so the readable data can be uniquely assigned to the recordings. In the new firmware versions (since ver.7.00), user can also generate the Google KML files directly on the memory card. They can be created in the standby mode from within the menu (MENU> SAVE KML). The data in created KML file are obtained from the TXT logs present in the root directory of the memory card. When this feature is selected, a dump.kml file is created on a memory card (also in the root directory). This file can be opened directly in Google Maps or Google Earth, or in other programs that accepts Google KML format. If necessary,  the KML file can be also converted to other formats with eg. the free open source GPS Babel converter for further data processing in GIS programs. Of course there are also TXT files, which can be used and processed in many other ways. The log data in dump.kml file (in Google Earth and Google Maps) are contained in location descriptions. Sample visualization of a few recording places in Google Earth based on a kml file generated in LunaBat DFR-1 PRO detector: 

In the photo above you can see the places marked with the yellow thumbtacks in which the wav (and corresponding txt) files were created. The names of the files that contain the exact date and time of creating the WAV / TXT files are also displayed. The temperature and relative humidity and the type of the obtained fix (2D or 3D) in given place can be displayed by clicking on the thumbtack or by selecting the Properties of the thumbtack (or place in the Places on the left menu).

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Visualization of the same kml file in Google Maps:

Sample visualization of the same KML file in QGIS program:

Yellow dots are places, red dot is highlighted place and all data at marked place are in the Identify results window on the left side.

KML file converted to XLSX Excel format looks like on picture below:

The original sample dump.kml file generated in LunaBat DFR-1 detector used in the above examples can be downloaded HERE (click with right mouse button and choose „Save link as…„). Other useful links are available in the local Download tab on this page or in the global Download tab in the main menu on the top of the site. The content of the TXT log file when the GNSS receiver is connected and 3D fix is obtained:

The coordinates (in NMEA 0183 format) are visible and can be used to create a Google KML file, or processed in a different way. The content of the TXT log file when the GNSS receiver is connected, but fix is not yet obtained:

The content of the TXT log file when the GNSS receiver is not connected (or switched off in the menu):

For information about old style logging (firmware up to v.6.22) look HERE. 

 

Standard accessories supplied with the detector:

• ME-4 detechable broadband microphone;
• MF-1 microphone windscreen (low loss, less than 1.5dB at 200kHz);
• Set of new generation high capacity rechargeable batteries, 4x AA IKEA LADDA min.2450  (those are in fact the same product as Fujitsu Black or Panasonic eneloop pro manufactured in Japan by FDK Corp. with exception that IKEA LADDA AA are white) Min. 2450mAh, typ. 2600mAh, about 1/3 larger capacity than the „white” Fujitsu / eneloops !
• Waterproof memory card SDHC 32GB class UHS-1 (read speed ~80 MB/s) compatible with the recording at the highest sampling rate, with a plastic box;
• Weatherproof stiffened pouch ET-3 for safe transport and storage of the detector even with the optional GPS receiver connected without having to disassemble it
• USB-microUSB cable for firmware upgrading or for powering the detector from external 5V USB power source (powerbank, telephone charger/power adapter etc.)

Optional accessories:

• GP-3 – Mobile Multi-system GNSS Receiver. More info HERE
• Spare 32GB SDHC UHS memory card
• Short 17cm UM-1 handle / rail with screws with photo thread (1/4 „UNC-20) for connection to other equipment or photo accessories with tripod thread
• 50cm-3m Microphone extender cables with IP40 / IP65 connectors (waterproof female connector on the microphone side) – cable length on request
• Spare microphone windshield MF-1
• Spare set of 4 Low Self Discharge rechargeable AA high capacity batteries with plastic box
• Four-channel charger for AA/R6 and AAA/R3 rechargeable batteries Everactive NC-1000 Plus with capacity testing, refresh and other useful functions
• Two-channel USB charger for AA/R6 and AAA/R3 rechargeable batteries IKEA VINNINGE  
• Headphones with mini-jack stereo plug
• Audio adapter cable for connecting headphone output with mini-jack headphone-set input in smartphone or tablet for eg. live spectrum preview (cable don’t disconnect detector’s built in speaker, SpectralView or similar application needed – see DOWNLOAD section)
• USB adapter interface cable for connecting smartphone or tablet via USB OTG adapter (for monitoring/logging NMEA signal from optional GNSS receiver or for live preview on Google Maps/Satellite View etc.) 
• Suction cup holder with tripod thread
• Tripods – various types after prior arrangement.
• Microphone extension cable 0,5 to 3m.
• Other types of microphones (waterproof ME-4X mic, matrix multi-sensor ME-4MX mic or MC-1 electrostatic mic)

Other accessories on request.

(other accessories and subpages with descriptions and photos will be available soon, actual list of available accesories is HERE)

USER MANUAL &  FIRMWARE:

• Manual for LunaBat® DFR-1 PRO detector (v. 1.3, for firmware v7.35) ENG language ……………… (PDF, 2407 kB) DOWNLOAD>>
• Firmware version 7.35  for LunaBat® DFR-1 PRO detector ……………………………………………………….. (ZIP, 1649 kB) DOWNLOAD>>

PRZYDATNE NARZĘDZIA i PROGRAMY:

• Link do konwertera GPS Babel (akceptuje m.in. KML i format MTK Locus ze starszych wersji firmware) LINK>>
• Link do instrukcji importowania plików KML do Google Maps LINK>> 
• Link do wizualizera GPSvisualizer (online)  LINK>>
• Link do GPSMapEdit – edytora i wizualizera tras LINK>>
• Linki do kalkulatorów wielkości plików WAV: LINK1>> oraz LINK2>>

ARTYKUŁY:

• Artykuł o zapisie automatycznym Triggering bat detectors: Automatic vs. manual mode w jęz. ang. do pobrania TUTAJ>>
• Tabelka porównawcza właściwości różnych detektorów ZOBACZ>>
• Wytyczne dotyczące oceny oddziaływania elektrowni wiatrowych na nietoperze POBIERZ>>