how is it powered, does the back-light always stay lit? can it? would you recommend this to monitor a rooms noise level on a persistent basis? is it easy to read at a glance without touching it?
596497
This model only stays on when there is activity. It shuts off after 15 min of inactivity.
596498
It only stays on for a few minutes then shuts off automatically. Would not be suitable for your needs. Large numbers are easy to read. I use it to monitor airplane noise over our house.
596499
The meter works better when pointed at a specific object to measure it's sound. I have tried it in a room but noticed only small differences in levels when the sound was perceived louder. It runs on batteries and I've always held it so I wouldn't know if you can read it form another angle or distance
1126700
The device is absolutely sensitive enough that you would be able to see even relatively small changes in sound levels. (For example, in a quiet room, I can actually see this device detecting a loudly ticking clock or the sounds of residential traffic at least 150 yards away reaching the inside of my home with my windows closed.) However, this sensitivity may also be a problem for you. When you first turn the device on you will see a spike in the reading for a few seconds until the device "normalizes" to the environment you are using it in. While you will be able to determine that overall the sound levels have changed during a commercial, those sounds levels are not constant, that is, you may also see wide fluctuations as each word is spoken or as music is played. Sound levels change constantly in a normal household environment with each spoken word, each movement of the device, traffic outside the home, other sounds turning on/off (e.g., heating systems), a dog barking two houses away, etc. So while the device is sensitive enough to detect an overall level change, I think the sensitivity could also be a problem if you do not consider EVERYTHING causing changes in the readings. Hope this answers your question !!!
1979513
We have this in our living room on a shelf and when it is on utility power, it is silent. The only time you hear it is when it is running due to utility power loss.
635397
Yes, its backlit, and its very accurate - I checked it on 10', 20' and 45' and within 1/16" (or better) and super fast response. Highly recommend!
1344297
You will notice it especially if you are outside in the dark. I have not paid much attention to it because we wanted this device as an interior alarm in our office. But I think it will do what you need in a situation.
807812
No, the device itself is completely silent. There is really only one downside to this device in my experience so far. I use it on my nightstand. When the device is plugged in, is has a red power indicator light that is always on, but not very bright. This does not bother me, but when it's charging something there is a bright blue LED that can be very distracting.
1516284
Turns out that the thing is ASTONISHINGLY loud... so if you are home, you will hear it pretty much anywhere in the house... but if you are looking for the blinking light (because you aren't typically home when it goes off) then that's a diff story. For me, I put mine on a outlet in my kitchen in the corner. It's kind of an ugly unit, but it's pretty unobtrusive.
400362
This unit will stay on, but after several idle minutes it will go into a power saver mode, the LCD readout will go dim and will stay that way until the unit is used again. If you turn the unit off, the readout goes into clock mode displaying the current time. For the price this is a very good item!
2281289
When using battery power the backlight stays on for 2 minutes. When using AC power the light stays on continuously. (Unless you turn it off).
123915
Yes it lights up, when the power is on, and is easy to read the time. Inexpensive and dependable, does the job.
737778
I only use when I'm awake in a lit room. I think they caution about sleeping with it, so that may be why there is no light. But obviously you're awake if you want to change the control, so turn on the light or use a flashlight? Also one reviewer said it doesn't beep when it turns off. My pad does - it is very faint, though.
455480
It is truly silent. I don't think you want to turn the light off because that's what neutralizes the particles. It is a blue light, but if you need it totally dark in the room to sleep then move it. This unit really works. I have own it for almost 2 years and bought one for a friend and he swears by it. I'm thinking about getting a second one because I spend the night in two seperate places in a week.
1981257
Yes, it has a backlight that stays on, so you can read it in most any light. It's not too bright, just bright enough to do the job.
1968061
it is merely a sensor. it lights up when you hand gets near. It actually helps if you are in a really dark room and trying to turn light on. the glow is just enough so you can see to touch the on spot. they is no way to judge the level of charge. But it will hold for 2 hrs on battery. I have used it like a flashlight during power outage. I keep my plugged in via an old cell phone charger instead of my laptop.
2206404
Not only is there a continuous on feature BUT it is a really simple matter to just watch the readout OR set it to mark the loudest and softest levels. That's really handy in proving to some "Better-than-you-are" putz-in-charge that their PA is TOO ^&*^%$^%#$ LOUD! Nothing stops a hot argument like a few cold facts! Noah 8-?
1863696
There is no back light. I have been able to see the readout in twilight, though, but not much after sunset. It does provide a continuous power readout - and you can smooth the power readings. Note that this unit is an older legacy version - but fully functional and upgradable to their latest firmware (5.0) for $50. It works as advertised with or without the firmware upgrade.
1087363
Well, I suppose I could give you a dB reading from a meter...but my feeling is that it is not quiet. It depends on how well you have it mounted and isolated; it is very powerful and will shake the studs/wall if not well mounted. Mine is mounted into an attic access panel right now and in the furthest room from our family room and bedroom...it is no problem to watch TV or sleep...I mean very little noise in that scenario. This is a powerful fan so I would consider that when mounting...it is also really a whole house fan and should be put in an area where it is not right of you whn it is operating to exchange air. Well, I suppose I could give you a dB reading from a meter...but my feeling is that it is not quiet. It depends on how well you have it mounted and isolated; it is very powerful and will shake the studs/wall if not well mounted. Mine is mounted into an attic access panel right now and in the furthest room from our family room and bedroom...it is no problem to watch TV or sleep...I mean very little noise in that scenario. This is a powerful fan so I would consider that when mounting...it is also really a whole house fan and should be put in an area where it is not right of you... » Read More Well, I suppose I could give you a dB reading from a meter...but my feeling is that it is not quiet. It depends on how well you have it mounted and isolated; it is very powerful and will shake the studs/wall if not well mounted. Mine is mounted into an attic access panel right now and in the furthest room from our family room and bedroom...it is no problem to watch TV or sleep...I mean very little noise in that scenario. This is a powerful fan so I would consider that when mounting...it is also really a whole house fan and should be put in an area where it is not right of you whn it is operating to exchange air. « Show Less