Handheld Electronic Horns

[safarisailor]

I'm thinking of replacing my Falcon Commander air canister horn due to costly refills and hazmat shipping requirements.

Does anyone use a handheld electronic horn? How do you like it? Have you also used an air canister horn? How does it compare?

Thanks!

[cal40john]

For 20 years we used a handheld car horn from the junkyard with a switch mounted on it on my friends boat. Had to open bridges to get from fresh water to salt. Got my own boat, did the same thing, but had to open another bridge. The bridge didn't open, when I called on the radio, the bridge operator said to me, No I can't hear your car horn.

I intend to buy an expensive chrome plated marine horn that looks identical to the junkyard horn and try that on the bridge someday.

Disclaimer, just as for lights, sound signals have rules as to distance to be heard and frequency of the sound that they have to meet. Don't know if the car horn meets specs, but it sure sounds like the one from the marine store.

John

[Cormorant]

I had one of those cheap yellow handheld electric signal horns from Innovative Lighting. Lasted about a year. They claimed it was waterproof, etc. so I kept it mounted outside in the cockpit, where it might actually come in handy for signaling. One day it just gave a croak like a dying frog, and that was the last it spoke. (I did try changing the battery.) Also -- though the manufacturer claims they meet USCG regulations, they're actually only a fraction as loud as compressed air horns. Handy only in close passing situations, I think.

[bstreep]

Originally Posted by Cormorant

I had one of those cheap yellow handheld electric signal horns from Innovative Lighting. Lasted about a year. They claimed it was waterproof, etc. so I kept it mounted outside in the cockpit, where it might actually come in handy for signaling. One day it just gave a croak like a dying frog, and that was the last it spoke. (I did try changing the battery.) Also -- though the manufacturer claims they meet USCG regulations, they're actually only a fraction as loud as compressed air horns. Handy only in close passing situations, I think.

'
We have a blue one of these. The sound is just awful. And as noted, not really that loud.