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A static recorder of bats & birds for on-site deployment
The default passive full spectrum recorder?
Call me on 0333 9000 927 for a chat
The SM5BAT has my 60 day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee & extra year's warranty
For anything on a wildlife theme: Ask Martin!
Hi there,
What can I say about the Wildlife Acoustics SM5BAT?
If you're looking for a static full spectrum recorder to leave out on site, the Wildlife Acoustics SM5BAT, SM4BAT, the Titley Ranger, the Pettersson D500X, the Elekon Batlogger C and the MINI BAT 2 are the ones to consider.
All units record bat calls very efficiently, but the main consideration is going to be deployment times. The Batlogger C can last for 5 nights with the single included battery or 10 nights with the optional additional battery. The D500X can last for 14 nights. The SM4BAT, SM5BAT and Titley Ranger can last for over 30 nights. The MINI BAT 2 can last for 50 nights (AA model) or 125 nights (li-ion model).
I thoroughly recommend the SM4BAT, SM5BAT, MINI BAT 2 or Titley Ranger for their long deployment times and ease of use. SM5BAT & Ranger can also record birds and other audible wildlife, at the same time as bats.
With all except the Mini Bat 2 you'll also get a free bat calls book worth £35: either British Bat Calls by Jon Russ, Social Calls of the Bats of Britain and Ireland (first edition) by Neil Middleton et al, Social Calls of the Bats of Britain and Ireland (second edition) by Neil Middleton et al, Bats of Britain & Europe by Christian Dietz & Andreas Kiefer, Identifying Bats of Britain and Ireland by James Shipman, Is That a Bat? by Neil Middleton or a £35 voucher.
I want you to be 100% happy, so call me on 0333 9000 927 for advice.
Warm Regards,
Martin.
Warranty: 3 years (4 years from me)
Song Meter SM5 BAT Recorder
Free extra year's warranty, plus a free book or voucher worth £35!
NEW: Song Meter® SM5BAT The Everything Recorder
COMING: Early 2026 - expected early March
A must-have for professional ecologists, the all-new SM5BAT captures it all: bats, birds, and everything in between—all at once. And it does it while delivering the best battery performance on the market.
Completely reimagined and reengineered, the SM5BAT integrates Wildlife Acoustics' advanced technologies to deliver four independent recording channels (two ultrasonic + two acoustic) while offering a range of power configuration options, including solar, lithium-ion, and alkaline batteries.
Eighteen years of proven field experience and listening intently to customer feedback have all been leading to this: hear more, haul less, and streamline your workflow with the SM5BAT.
Key Features
Four channels, zero compromises
Two ultrasonic microphones + two acoustic microphones for multi-taxa surveys—giving you two bat recorders and a stereo bird recorder, all in one device.
Features two built-in mics—one ultrasonic and one acoustic—so you can record bats and birds at the same time. SM5BAT also accepts stub mics, cabled mics, or a combination of both for listening at different heights and distances.*
Deploy for longer, power your way
Class-leading battery performance for when deployments run long. Choose from lithium-ion or alkaline, or opt for solar (or another external source) to power your kit. Compatible with our solar Power Kit.*
Rugged setup, field-ready performance
All-new, reimagined IP67 weatherproof enclosure and microphones for a reliable setup in any terrestrial environment.
Onboard GPS, real-time metadata
Built-in GPS for precise recording times and locations, and time synchronization across multiple recorders. Map detections across mics for clean analysis.
Bluetooth®-enabled, hassle-free configuration
Now compatible with the Song Meter Configurator app for easy programming via your iOS/Android device. Select settings, create schedules, and get estimated deployment timelines.
Future-proof design, remote access
Brand-new expansion port for cellular remote access accessory (coming in 2026), enabling data download, recorder status checks, and settings adjustments. This feature will also support customer-created electronics for edge analysis.
*SM5BAT comes with one built-in ultrasonic mic and one built-in acoustic mic. Cabled mics, stub mics, Power Kit, and other accessories are sold separately. The current Mini 2 stub mic will not fit the SM5BAT - a new batch that will fit will be available in early 2026. All SM4 family cabled mics - U1, U2, A1 and A2 as well as SM4 family of cables - will work with the SM5BAT.
Technical Specifications
Ultrasonic channels - 2 independently triggered
Acoustic channels - 2 (mono or stereo)
Built-in microphones - 2 (1 ultrasonic + 1 acoustic)
Simultaneous ultrasonic/acoustic recording - Yes
Recording formats - Full-spectrum WAV and/or ZC
Sample rates (ultrasonic) - 256, 384, 500kHz
Sample rates (acoustic) - 8, 12, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz
Advanced recording technology - Low-noise microphones; Advanced triggering; Noise-scrubbing (adjustable)
Battery life: one-channel, multi-band triggered ultrasonic recording (more detailed)
Up to 140 ten-hour nights (11 x 18650 Li-ion);
Up to 75 ten-hour nights (4 x alkaline D cell)
Battery life: one-channel, single-band triggered ultrasonic recording (power saving)
Up to 170 ten-hour nights (11 x 18650 Li-ion);
Up to 90 ten-hour nights (4 x alkaline D cell)
Battery life: two-channel, multi-band triggered ultrasonic recording (more detailed)*
Up to 105 ten-hour nights (11 x 18650 Li-ion);
Up to 55 ten-hour nights (4 x alkaline D cell)
Battery life: two-channel, single-band triggered ultrasonic recording (power saving)
Up to 165 ten-hour nights (11 x 18650 Li-ion);
Up to 85 ten-hour nights (4 x alkaline D cell)
Additional microphone ports - 2 (for SMM-A2 cabled mics; sold separately)
Built-in GPS - Yes
GPS time sync - Yes, within 30 microseconds
Memory/storage capacity - 2 SDHC/SDXC up to 2 TB each (4 TB total)
Battery tray capacity - 1-6 or 11 x 18650 lithium-ion; or 4 x D alkaline
Solar power compatible - Yes, Wildlife Acoustics’ Power Kit and others
External power compatible - Yes
Cellular remote access capability - Yes, accessory coming in 2026
Microphone compatibility - Ultrasonic cabled mics (SMM-U2, SMM-U1); Acoustic cabled mics (SMM-A2); Acoustic stub mics
Configuration options - iOS or Android phone or tablet (Song Meter Configurator app) or on-unit buttons/screen
“Quick start” & custom scheduling - Yes
Enclosure material - Polycarbonate
IP67 weatherproof - Yes, including built-in mics
Operating temperature - -4°F to +185°F or -20°C to 85°C (batteries may have a narrower operating temperature range)
Dimensions (h x w x d) - 191 x 175 x 64 mm
Weight (with batteries) - 2.44 lb / 1109 g (11 x 18650); 2.5 / 1134 g (4 x D alkaline)
Warranty - 3 years (including built-in stub mics) - 4 years when bought here
Warranty: 3 years (4 years from me)
Comment from a client:
"My bat detector microphone failed during a dawn survey and knew that I had a group of dusk surveys starting in two days time. I was not in a good place as I did not have a spare, but my equipment was less than a year old.
After my survey I contacted Martin by email and he called me back on the same day, a few hours later, after a quick nap. He told me he did not have a part in stock, but had already contacted the supplier on my behalf.
The next day I received a replacement part, free of charge and express delivered from Switzerland. I thought it was amazing, and could not believe it was resolved so quickly.
Due to Martin's exceptional service I was good to go with the surveys, and I really would like to thank Martin and Wildlife Countryside Services for making the dusk surveys happen."
David Kent