MY SPL METER DROPPED

I have a Radio Shack SPL Meter, circa 1985. I had it mounted on a microphone stand with velcro.  I went upstairs this evening and found it lying in the corner of the space. The RS SPL had come undone from the attachment.
I am religious when it comes to listening volume.  Eighty percent of the time I listen@75 db or below.  Seven % of the time I listen@88 db and below.  Three percent of the time I listen@90 db.
The SPL Meter will not zero out.  The VU meter wavers at -6 db.  Should I trust my meter anymore?  Do you recommend I find a replacement? 
I need this thing to be accurate in a bad way.
 
the blind horse

I wonder how accurate those smartphone apps really are. They look cool, and you'll always have it with you. But I won't be convinced of their accuracy until I've tested one alongside a proper calibrated meter. The microphones in smartphones are dreadful, and I'm sure no measures are taken to assure consistency from unit to unit during manufacture, much less any kind of calibration.
 
blindhorse, I have an old ratshack meter hanging on the wall here, too. One of the best buys I've ever made. But I rarely use it. That's because once I know the relationship between the volume knob on my interface and the SPL levels out of the speakers, there's no need to re-measure. 
 
Because it's possible the microphone was damaged, it's unlikely you'll be able to repair it. I'd suggest replacing it if you can still find one. If not, maybe you can borrow one, take your measurements and mark the 75, 88, and 90 dB positions on your interface or Big Knob or the back of the speaker or however you adjust volume.

blindhorse
I'm still using an old Motorola with a 1" screen.  It does everything I need it to do though,

Like....  acting as an SPL meter?    

karyn, you da man! 
 
dmbaer, as you relate, bit is right to express skepticism.  With that in mind, there are certainly technologies that transfer well.
 
We all do what we can. Varied information is a good thing; the wide muddy it may very well be.
 
We take hearing for granted, and often listen only when it matters little.
 
the blind horse

Thanks for the tip, I just picked it up for four bucks as well.

The "review" discounted Audio Tools on the grounds of lack of features.  I HAVE Audio Tools and there are dozens of modules giving all sorts of tools and features for the audio engineer, including at least 3 different ways of measuring/recording SPL.
Audio Tools also includes a "generic calibration" patch for the iPhone to make allowance for the frequency response of the in-built mic.  It can be turned off if using an external reference mic.

Hello All, thanks for the excellent input.
 
I opted out of thinking about the phone app because I am not ready to purchase a new phone.  The cost is more than I want to incur at this time.  With that said, were I in a position to need such a phone I would certainly perform more research to see which phone, and which app, provided the most reliable results.
 
I truly am sorry that my RS SPL meter fell to the floor.  I relied on that thing so much.  The funny thing is, the floor is carpeted, so it must have fallen just right to render it "possibly" unreliable.
 
In the mean time I have sprung for an $18 model from a mega online "retailer."  I guess in the least it will "possibly" confirm that my RS model is janked, or maybe just reveal that the RS model is slightly disabled (like my right ear.)
 
With that in mind, and at the risk of derailing my own thread, I have noticed more recently that 80 db from a song with a large dynamic quotient is less fatiguing than a song that is hard limited to 0.1 (?,) at the same 80 db.
 
My eyes have been opened to the misuse of plugs.
 
I work around many youth, and loudness is an obelisk of machismo/worth to them.  Though the argument for the loudness wars has been hashed and rehashed, I hope that this thread will assist others in appreciating the value of those fragile auditory organs that allow us to discern sounds as low as 30 db, and for the fortunate few, as high as 20khz.  Get a reliable meter and use it.
 
Pink noise?  It surrounds us.  Go outside, close your eyes, and listen.
 
The dehumidifier in the other room creates a whir.  I wonder where music would be without 60 cycle alternating current?
 
Anyway, I don't really know what I'm talking about, but I sure do appreciate your illuminating thoughts.
 
the blind horse
 
 

Bit wrote "Technically, it's not about the 0.1 dB peak limit, but rather the gain that usually accompanies hard limiting, raising the average level to the point where your ears never get a chance to reset."
 
the blind horse wrote "Therein lies the problem."
 
Thanks, and my ears thank you too.
 

Edit your original post and add [Resolved] to the subject line.
 
or if you wish I can do it for you.
 
 
If you feel one post in particular answered your question, press the 'Answer' button at the bottom of that post to mark it.  It makes it easier for others when reading the thread in future.

More specifically,  C weighting is designed to approximate the frequency response of our ears.