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Basic Test of GTA member LDCs

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luge007:
Here is my best effort to get a sound test of a sample of GTA member LDC's that are all highly regarded.  I reached out to ALL of the LDC makers I could find and most responded, some with samples to test; only Donny didn't reply to GTA messages or e-mail at all, but my computer has been glitchy, maybe he didn't get them. Luckily I had purchased a Sumo previously, so despite being larger than the other models, I tested it for reference as it's a very popular model.  The second high profile member to not submit an LDC was Neil C.   Fortunately I had purchased one of his LDC's from another GTA member, but after a considerable amount of dialog back and forth with Mr. Clague, he is fairly sure the model I have is "not one of his normal LDC's and is probably one of his give-a-way models." It is what it is, and the only sample of his design I had to test.   Rocker1 and Geo Schoonmaker were both kind enough to provides samples of their LDC designs for this test.  IF I missed contacting anyone for this test, I apologize, I made my best effort to make sure all were included.


The sound meter I used is the same one used in many of the Pyramid Air and several YouTube videos, so hopefully it will be considered a valid source of information.  I however did NOT intend to use the sound meter data for empirical measurements of DB reduction, but rather to compare the various LDC's side by side and get a 'relative measurement' to each other, at that specific time, with my particular Maximus and it's state of tune.  All shots were taken with actual pellets and with the rifle in a fixed position, air refilled between strings WITHOUT disturbing the weapon or the position of the meter relationship.  All shots were concluded within 30minutes to minimize all outside variables like temperature, barometric pressure, etc.  and the backstop was hundreds of yards away so the impact noise of the pellet would not effect the sound measurements.



Weather was PERFECT, but it should have been, it took me weeks to pull this off.  The weapon was a Benjamin Maximus with a shortened air tube and barrel, the other weapon I'd hoped to test was an AirForce Escape SS to really wring out the LDCs and push them a bit at higher FPE measurements and see if they still stack up, or if the relationship to each other changed in their standings. Maybe in the future I'll get to that one....


Hopefully someone finds this helpful, it turned out to be considerably more work than I expected.  Also a big Thank You to Donny, Geo, Neil and David for providing the Airgun community with outstanding products for everyone to enjoy.

SILENT SQUIRREL:
Thank you, Matt
Very interesting!
I have a Maxiimus & Discovery, both in 22 cal
On the Maximus I switched from a Tatsu to a Geo Slimline with front sight, in order to increase the sight radius.
Both my ears  & dB meter said there was very little difference between the 2.
Your testing corroborates that.
Ed

dmeguy:
Interesting information. I'm curious if you plan an accuracy test between the different models? I'd also love to see the higher fpe test. Thanks for the work!

Frank in Fairfield:
So no real advantage?
Try the TKO...

FuzzyGrub:
Trying to measure shots sounds in a meaningful way, is a tough exercise.  DB meters are more average sound devices vs peak detectors.  For examble, I use a modified DB meter to better detect peaks.  I also positioned it 3 feet in front of muzzle, but 1 ft below, vs the side.  Microphone perpendicular to pellet travel.  My readings are generally 30db higher that what you recorded.  The environment differences are also a large reason for the differences. 

Anyway, from your measured results, I suspect your ear couldn't tell much of a difference between the LDCs.  Maybe the geo.  Sometimes there is a tonal change that sounds quieter to the ear, but the meter value is the same.  I found that with venting of shrouds w/magic sponge diffuser.  I like looking at the data and comparing it to what I thought I percieved.  But, going from memory, has its flaws.  ;)

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