recommendation of a sound level meter

Edle, or anyone...Why not the digital version of the meter?
Except for the readout device (DVM vs Analog voltmeter) it's the same instrument. The digital unit has a bargraph display as well as the numeric readout, so it is easier to read in every way. For example, when balancing speakers of a multichannel system, it's a lot easier to remember "87" as the test tone moves from speaker to speaker, than to remember where the needle ended up. The price difference was $10, so I presume that is not the reason to recommend the analog version. Do we have another case of digiphobia here?

Digital read-outs make it harder to follow subtle changes due to the lack of resolution between scaling calibrations. It is also harder to follow various dynamic trends with a digital read-out. As far as i know, both the RS analogue and digital meters share very close circuitry and neither are very accurate to begin with as they are delivered in stock form. Sean
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http://www.prosoundweb.com/studyhall/lastudyhall/slm/slm.shtml

A good article from the ProSound community.

When I was in the market for a sound level meter I did some research on same and finally ended up getting the RS one. Not because with was the best but I had very little choice. Yes the next upgrade from RS is way too expensive to justify the cost for which it was going to be used. RS meter does the job well without putting a dent on your wallet.

I develeoped my own spread sheet ombining the RCA test disk that I own and the results I get are very much acceptable.

sean...The RS meter digital resolution is one dB which is probably better than you can read with a needle. As I mentioned, the digital display includes a bargraph display which shows dynamics, and is (IMHO) easier to follow than a needle.