Owl Sense™ v1.1
Our original high performance, ultra portable bioacoustics audio recorder(Autonomous Recording Unit) for passive research. Owl Sense is designed for mass scale and low cost deployment projects but that doesn't mean we skimped on the design. Record birds, mammals, amphibians, soundscapes or anything else!
- High quality audio with a 73dB(A) SNR built-in microphone
- Capable of recording audio up to 48kHz
- Runs on a single 18650 battery for up to 580 hours with 24kHz audio
- Rugged and fully weather resistant enclosure and microphone
- Supports custom scheduling options to record only when necessary
- Extremely simple to use and configure
Owl Sense is ready to deploy: You will need an Owl Sense, iOS device, battery/charger and memory card to get started(sold separately). See the Support page for details or check out our store for compatible accessories.
Our test lab is the real world: Owl Sense is incredibly rugged, it's been deployed in -30° F Montana winters as well as over 100° F in Death Valley. The case can support the weight of a pickup truck, although we wouldn't recommend driving over your recorders. It can handle almost anything nature throws at it.
Black or Gray? Black is our standard color and is more likely to be in stock. We think black blends in better in most environments making theft or tampering less likely. The gray variant stays significantly cooler in direct sunlight. While heat doesn't affect audio quality, it does affect long term longevity of the battery.
Repairable and upgradable design: Electronics should be repairable. If the microphone, main circuit board, case or anything else fails let us know and we will get you the parts you need to repair your hardware.
Lithium Battery : Why did we design Owl Sense around a single protected 18650 battery?
- Longer runtimes especially in extreme hot and cold environments compared to Alkaline.
- Rechargeable batteries allow you to always deploy with fully charged batteries. What do you do with all your half used AAs at the end of a deployment?
Owl Sense is in stock and ready to ship! If you place a large order, enough units may not be in stock and may take longer to ship. We will let you know as soon as possible, otherwise reach out ahead of time for stock availability.
Detailed Features
High Quality Microphones
- Top-Tier Performance: Equipped with Infineon's IM73D122 omnidirectional microphone for exceptional audio.
- Ultra-Low Self-Noise: Ultra-high 73dB(A) SNR for excellent sound.
- User-Serviceable Design: The microphone is replaceable, ensuring long-term usability. It is also upgradable when higher performance mics are available.
- Weather Protection: A hydrophobic membrane shields the microphone element, minimizing downtime from rain exposure.
Audio Settings
- Sample Rates: Supports from 8 kHz to 48 kHz.
- Gain Control: Built-in gain settings adjustable from 0 dB to 40 dB.
- High-Pass Filter: Includes an adjustable high-pass filter to minimize low-frequency noise.
- Audio Format: Captures audio in 16 bit WAV or compressed WavPack files.
Ultra-Long Runtimes
- Battery: Powered by a single protected 18650 lithium battery.
- Audio Recording Time:
- up to 1,050 hours at 8 kHz
- up to 580 hours at 24 kHz
- up to 390 hours at 48 kHz
Note: Runtimes are based on a 3,500 mAh battery at room temperature with WAV audio. Actual performance will vary depending on schedule Idle time, battery age, environmental conditions and card variability. WavPack compression will notably increase runtime.
Simple Scheduling Options
- Continuous
- Sunrise to Sunset
- Sunset to Sunrise
- Sunrise and Sunset
- Sunset Only
- Sunrise Only
- Duty Cycle
Note: Sunrise/Sunset-based schedules include a configurable extension period, allowing you to record before and after each event. For example, you can set recording to start 60 minutes before sunrise and end 60 minutes after sunset.
Durable and Compact Design
- Heavy-Duty Waterproof Case: Built to withstand tough conditions.
- Convenient Access: Easy to open with retained thumbscrews.
- Dimensions & Weight: Measures 6" x 2.7" x 1.9" and weighs approximately 7 oz with the battery included.
Mobile App
- iOS Configuration: All device settings are managed through an intuitive iOS app.
- Automatic Sync: Date, time, and location are automatically synced to the unit during configuration.
- Effortless Multi-Unit Setup: Easily configure multiple units with identical settings using default presets.
- Android support is planned for early 2025!
Audio Quality
How does the audio from Owl Sense compare to other recorders?
Hear it for yourself! Below, you'll find a comparison between Owl Sense and a top-tier ECM microphone rated at 80 dB SNR with a handheld audio recorder. While Owl Sense has a 73 dB SNR, it performs impressively well. In fact, compared to other low cost ARUs like the AudioMoth, Owl Sense offers much cleaner audio. Keep in mind that the equipment used for this comparison costs significantly more than Owl Sense.
These 2-minute samples were recorded side by side in June in a quiet but very vocal Montana forest. The audio is unedited, except for normalizing the amplitude to more accurately compare the two signals.
80 dB SNR Electret Condenser Microphone
Owl Sense v1.1 MEMS Microphone
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