Worldwide harp trap shootout


Worldwide Harp Trap Shoot out We're ready to rumble. After some web research we have put together some fair comparisons of three commercial harp traps available. Data is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of 1/26/11.

	BCM G6 Forest Strainer	Faunatech Austbat 2 BankHarp trap	Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research Harp Trap
Photo
Size	6' wide	6' wide	6' wide (assumed)
Weight	33 lbs.	27.6 lbs.	N/A
Structure Material	Aluminum, brass, stainless steel.	Aluminum, brass, stainless steel.	Aluminum, iron
Catch bag material	PVC material makes washing/WNS decontamination a snap.	Full canvas with plastic lining.	Canvas with plastic lining.
Line attachment system	All set screws forming tensionless knots.	All knots, can be tied tensionless.	All knots over sharp edge.
Tension system	Lines can be adjusted with individual set screws. Telescoping posts.	Line must be retied. Single lock on each post.	Line must be retied. Four locks total.
Final Tension	Effortless locking with mechanically levered columns.	User's full strength	User's full strength
Captures bats in front of line banks	Yes	Yes	No
One person setup (really)	Yes	No	Yes
Versatility	Telescoping legs (optional leg kit) extend up to 70" and adjust to virtually any angle.	Telescoping legs fall out when trap is picked up.	Telescoping legs. Leg attachment points can be moved up or down the frame to suit site.
Stability	Can be mounted on stakes, legs, or hung. Parts remain secure under any transport condition. Guy ropes possibly required if mounting on stakes.	Legs and guy lines required. Legs and headpiece must have tension to prevent separation.	Legs required.
Max capture area	6.7 square meters	4.2 square meters	N/A, probably ~4.2 square meters
Manufacture process and design year	CNC machining ISO 9001 compliant, 2010 design	Welded, some machining, design date N/A	Welded and machine screws, design date N/A
Storage	Bag	Tube (bag extra?)	Bag
Country of manufacture	USA	Australia	Switzerland
Cost	$799 USD + ~$50 UPS shipping within continental U.S. Optional leg kit $399 USD $399 for 3' (1m) Cave Catcher version. International shipping add quote from ups.com (United States zip code 17015 to your door).	$1,423 USD, + shipping. $882 for 3' (1m) mini version. Contact seller for exact quote.	About $1800 USD, supposedly including shipping anywhere? See seller.
Source:	www.batmanagement.com Jan 2011	www.faunatech.com.au/ Jan 2011	www.wsl.ch/land/biodiversity/PRODUCTS/harptrap/harptrap.html