Using a Pipistrelle family Bat Detector

If you have just built your first Bat Detector from the Pipistrelle family, congratulations!
Below are some instructions to get you started for the following devices:

As always, for the latest information and firmware updates visit Phils website: https://www.pippyg.com

Phone/Tablet Software

You can download the relevant app for your device to allow you to see, hear and record ultrasound.

iOS app.  (recommend iOS v18+)

Produces auto tuned Heterodyne and Time Expanded sounds. Search “Bat Detector” in Apple app. store.

Note: If you have upgraded your iPhone to iOS 26.4.1 or later, and your device is using firmware prior to 17/4/26, then the sound will come out of the tiny (phone call) speaker, not via the main stereo phone speakers. A workaround is to use a Bluetooth speaker, or alternatively update your devices firmware to the latest.

If having trouble, try the following:

  • Open Bat Detector iPhone App and in settings configure:
    • “Force output to device speaker” to ON
    • “Hetrodyne volume” to Max
    • “RTTX volume” to Max (Real Time, Time Expansion)
  • In the App, click on the screen to bring up bottom buttons:
    • Click the “Mic Button” to turn on mic, & turn off demo mode

Android app. (Android 11 and later). 

Currently has two manually tuned Heterodyne frequencies. Search “Batgizmo” in Google Play store

Cables

You will also need a “On The Go” (OTG) adaptor cable (can be supplied in workshops for an extra £2-4), to connect to your devices, and no batteries installed (on Pips and Pippyg’s)

For Android (or newer iPhone) with USBc

  • a USBc to Micro USB OTG cable (£2)

For older iphone/pad with Lightning

  • A USBc to Micro USB OTG cable (£2, as above), and a USBc to lightning OTG adaptor (+£2),

OR

  • A lightning OTG camera adaptor (£2) and your own standard USBa to MicroUSB cable (you probably have dozens of these already)

Mini Pipistrelle

A auto-tuning Heterodyne and Time Expansion detector running off 3 AAA batteries, can also be used as a ultrasound microphone with a device. See Griff section below, for how to use your mini Pip as a microphone.

Recent Firmware (after 29/4/26)

If your mini Pipistrelle uses firmware latter than 29/4/26 then it has a new simplified standard (BatWalk) user interface this is:

  • Single press left button – Speak last peak frequency
  • Single press right button – Toggle mode between Time Expansion and Heterodyne mode. The current mode is announced.
  • Press and hold left button – Volume down. The current volume level is announced, and shown on the LEDs, from 1 (low) to 10 (high)
  • Press and hold right button – Volume up. The current volume level is announced, and shown on the LEDs, from 1 (low) to 10 (high)

The new firmware has several options on start up as follows:

  • With no buttons touched:
    • Power on over battery: Standard (BatWalk) mode @ volume 5
    • Power on over mUSB: Becomes a ultrasound Microphone (i.e. a Griff)

For most of the time the above is all that is needed. But other start-up modes are avalaible:

  • With one button touched, with Power from battery OR over mUSB:
    • left button on : Standard (BatWalk) mode @ volume 2
    • right button on : Standard (BatWalk)mode @ volume 8
  • With both buttons touched:
    • Power on from battery: Advanced mode (see below) @ volume 5
    • Power on over mUSB: Standard mode @ volume 5

Advanced Mode – Older mini Pipistrelle firmware (before 28/4/26)

With older firmware (or new firmware started on battery with both buttons touched) then your mini Pipistrelle boots into Advanced mode. This included ability to freeze frequency, but the volume is much harder to alter. See below for details:

Griff and mini Griff

These are ultrasound microphones which can be worn as a credit card sized badge, and connected via a cable, to allow you see, hear and record bats via your mobile device.

For Apple (iOS) devices

For Android (Google) devices app.

PippyG

A full spectrum recorder, with no audio out, designed specifically for overnight bat recording or bird/mammal recording.

π•pistrelle

This has the same features as the mini but adds recording. Now obsolete, as the recording features are replaced by the Griff mic