A Quick Test of Six Whistles

S

Scott Free

Joined
Sep 15, 1999
Messages
3,319
I just came in from doing a quick and somewhat inconclusive test of six whistles.

1. 4sevens titanium 100db
2. Jetscream
3. ACR Safety
4. Fox 40 Micro
5. Fox 40 Mini
6. Top Knives whistle

The whistle blower (me) and the whistle listener (wife) were separated by 120 yards of soggy and slightly windy woods. We then changed locations and jobs. At this short distance, all the whistles were more than clearly audible and differences in "loudness" were surprisingly subtle. In fact, my wife kept repeating that "this whistle and that whistle are equally loud, but this whistle has a higher pitch." For her, all six whistles were about equally loud, although she described the Fox Micro and the Tops Knives whistle as being "softer." She thought the Jetscream and Fox Mini might be slightly louder than the rest. My impressions were only slightly different. I thought the 4sevens titanium whistle and the ACR were slightly less loud than the rest. These two are definitely higher pitched than the others. They were also the smallest and the easiest to blow. I thought the Fox Mini was the loudest, but only slightly. It is also very easy to blow, just behind the 4sevens titanium and the ACR. The Jetscream, the Fox Micro take a good lungful of air for them to be effective. I wouldn't give either of these to children. I also don't think they'd work very well if you were injured or have respiratory problems.

Eventually, I will redo the test over a significantly longer distance. The Tops Knives whistle has a lower tone than the rest, and may prove superior over greater distance. I also hope to add a Fox Classic and Storm whistle to the test.

The surprises are that the tiny 4sevens titanium whistle did so well, and that perceived differences in loudness were so subtle over this relatively short distance. Regardless of abilities, the 4sevens whistle will stay on my keychain because of it's size. The Fox Mini will remain my canoeing and woods whistle (for now.)
 
They did a whistle test on youtube w/I think 5 whistles and they used a decible meter and the results were really surprising-all did about the same within the 94 to 100 dcb range- some of the better ones were the cheap $1.99 ones the different colored aluminum ones????
 
Scott Free said:
For her, all six whistles were about equally loud, although she described the Fox Micro and the Tops Knives whistle as being "softer."
Click to expand...

Thanks, thats some good data. I carry the Fox 40 Micro and find it to be extremely loud, though thats a subjective opinion. But I have used its several times in the 100 - 200 yard range and found it to be very effective. So I'm happy that the 4sevens whistle is at least in the same class as the Fox 40 Micro, because smaller is better when it comes to EDC. There's a 120 db 4sevens thats in the pipeline, btw, but its $40 vs. the $20 of the current 100 db whistle.

IMG_1608.jpg

Fox 40 Micro.
 
Based on your description, I'm pretty sure your refering to the youtube vid embedded in this page: http://www.briangreen.net/2011/03/safety-whistles-decibel-testing.html

If you read the comments at the bottom of the page, the author/tester concludes that the test should have been done over a significant distance, as decibel measurements don't give a complete picture. Some whistles which measure high on a decibel meter, simply don't carry over distance as well some whistles which test lower. It was this video, and the included comments, which influenced how I did my test.

There are so many variables involved, and hearing is so subjective, that different testers will probably always come to at least slightly different conclusions.
 
powernoodle said:
But I have used its several times in the 100 - 200 yard range and found it to be very effective. So I'm happy that the 4sevens whistle is at least in the same class as the Fox 40 Micro, because smaller is better when it comes to EDC. There's a 120 db 4sevens thats in the pipeline, btw, but its $40 vs. the $20 of the current 100 db whistle.
Click to expand...

I know by your gun and tool choices that you get the "smaller is better when it comes to EDC" thing. That's why I know you'd really like the 4sevens whistle. Just to clarify, though, as far a loudness, the 4sevens whistle is almost in the same class as the Fox Micro. The 4sevens is WAY smaller and much easier to blow, though.

I think the shape of the current 4sevens whistle will blend with keys better than the shorter/wider $40/120db whistle. Mine just hangs and disappears amongst my keys.

Powernoodle—trust me, you NEED the 4sevens 100db whistle.
 
I was working an outdoor swim meet. We use whistles to signal the kids to step up on the starting blocks. The kids weren't responding as promptly as they usually would at other meets. One of my friends told me that it looked like the kids weren't hearing my whistle very well. It was a Fox 40. I switched to my ACME Thunderer (plated brass) and the kids responded much better. So now I use my ACME most of the time.

I don't know if it was the volume or the pitch that made it easier for the kids to hear.

Ric
 
BITEME said:
They did a whistle test on youtube w/I think 5 whistles and they used a decible meter and the results were really surprising-all did about the same within the 94 to 100 dcb range
Click to expand...

That is actually a large range, 2:1, in fact. Sound pressure level is measured on a logarithmic scale and 6dB increase is a doubling. So, 12dB is twice what 6dB is. 18dB is twice what 12dB is and 4-times what 6dB is, etc.

An increase of the sound level by 3 dB corresponds to a doubling (factor = 2) of sound intensity.

An increase of the sound level by 6 dB corresponds to a doubling of the sound pressure.

An increase in the sound level by 10 dB corresponds to the sensation of double the "volume".

Keep in mind that a Sound Pressure Level meter measures just that, the level of the air pressure disturbance caused by the sound. How we perceive sound pressure level is somewhat complex, but it has been studied in great detail and can be understood. HERE is a very approachable article on the subject which, I think, will be of great interest to people interested in making a loud sound.
 
@Scott Free

How about a comparison pic of all the whistles you tested?

Ive got the JetScream myself. I suppose it gets the job done...ive never used another whistle, so i dont really know how it compares to the rest though.
 
I was all set to take pics today, and then I was going to learn how to post them. I just discovered, though, that my wife has the camera with her, and I won't have access to it for a couple of days. Pics (if I can figure things out) will have to wait for now.

My wife thought the Jetscream and the Fox Mini might be slightly louder than the others. What I don't like about the Jetscream and the Fox Micro is that they need a good strong blow. Besides the possible difficulties of using it with an injury, it would be exhausting to blow it repeatedly for hours if one were lost. The Fox Mini is just as loud (in my opinion) and much easier to blow.

The perfect whistle is just as elusive as is the perfect knife. At least whistles are a whole lot cheaper than knives. :)
 
Nickelsig229 said:
Are any of those whistles 100% metal? Do they even make one like that? I'm tired of breaking plastic ones.
Click to expand...

The only metal whistle in the group is the 4sevens 100db titanium. Most good whistles today are plastic. Acme Thunderers are available in both metal and plastic. Both varieties are supposed to be excellent.

After much research, I just placed an order for an Acme Thunderer 556 (plastic) and an Acme 649 Tornado (also plastic.) Both are supposed to be lower in pitch than the whistles tested so far. They should carry farther through foliage.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to do any tests at greater distances until next year. Hunting season has started. If I start blowing whistles all over the woods this time of year, someone is likely to shoot me. If the killer is judged by his peers, it will likely be considered justified homicide. :)
 
Nickelsig229 said:
Are any of those whistles 100% metal? Do they even make one like that? I'm tired of breaking plastic ones.
Click to expand...

I think you would have a hard time breaking the jetscream whistle. it's very robustly built. besides I don't think a metal-whistle would bthe optimal thing in freezing conditions.
 
Scott Free said:
If I start blowing whistles all over the woods this time of year, someone is likely to shoot me. If the killer is judged by his peers, it will likely be considered justified homicide. :)
Click to expand...

LMAO!!! Very true! I would say wait till next year. That is unless you have a taste for copper and lead... ;)
 
I just picked up a pair of the 4Sevens Ti whistles for my wife and myself for our keychains. They're loud enough to get the job done and much more pocket friendly. They've also got the geeky coolness factor to them. My Fox40s are spread amongst my EDC and BOB bags for now.
 
whistles 1.jpg
Click Image Above

Top Row (L to R): Jetscream, Fox 40 Micro (aka Rescue Howler,) Tops Knives Whistle

Bottom Row (L to R): 4sevens 100db Titanium Whistle, Modded ACR, ACR, Fox 40 Mini

Note on the modded ACR: Before the 4sevens whistle, the modded ACR was my keychain whistle. The mod was not my idea. I found it on backpackinglight.com. The mod does not affect pitch or loudness. To do the mod, cut or grind away the lanyard loop and mouthpiece. If you hold the ACR up to the light, you will see that there is a small solid section at a top of the "A" of the ACR logo. Drill a 1/16 inch hole here.
 
I just got the 4Sevens whistle after reading this review.... now that it's here, I either got a bad one or somebodies hearing is WAY off.. :-)

Mine sounds more like one of those silent (but not) dog whistles... just a high shrill sound. My wife asked what it was.... when i told her a whistle, she said it doesn't even sound like a whistle. My old hunting dog whistle is WAY louder.

I dunno, maybe its because thereis no ball rattling around in there. Mine just seems weak to me. I was all excited, but now I am all.... ho-hum... not that cool.

Won't be going on any of our keyrings, thats for sure.
 
Whiskey River said:
I just got the 4Sevens whistle after reading this review.... now that it's here, I either got a bad one or somebodies hearing is WAY off.. :-)

Mine sounds more like one of those silent (but not) dog whistles... just a high shrill sound. My wife asked what it was.... when i told her a whistle, she said it doesn't even sound like a whistle. My old hunting dog whistle is WAY louder.

I dunno, maybe its because thereis no ball rattling around in there. Mine just seems weak to me. I was all excited, but now I am all.... ho-hum... not that cool.

Won't be going on any of our keyrings, thats for sure.
Click to expand...
i have the smaller 4sevens also and it sound to me the same way you described it almost like a dog whistle but i dont have anything else to compare it to i just got it to anodize it

img_20111030_173630.jpg
 
Clang! said:
How do these whistles compare the big storm whistles?
Click to expand...

According to the New Zeland bush test mentioned in the other thread, the big Acme Thunderer and the Storm whistle compare favorably to one another. Personally, I can't say as I don't have a Storm whistle—yet. I have it on good authority, though, that my niece will be getting me one for Christmas. :) I'll definitely be doing another test in the future. The Storm whistle will have to prove substantially better than the Thunderer for me to carry it considering its size.

As for the 4sevens whistle, it would be helpful to go to the thread to see how it stacks up in real world testing. Unless the nylon insert is missing (there's nothing else that could possibly be wrong) then the 4sevens holds its own considering its size. Here's the link again:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/894108-Whistle-Test-Bigger-Better-New-amp-Improved-%28but-still-imperfect%29?p=10130553#post10130553
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top