Airzounds.... the good and the bad?

[Nigeyy]

So I just bought an Airzounds ready for when I restart commuting (hopefully a little later this month). Having pumped it up and then pressing the button while I was inside the living room, my wife, kids, 2 cats and next door neighbours can attest it is really loud. Of course, in the speechless seconds that followed, my mind ran riot; I saw myself maliciously stabbing that button for that offending driver in that black BMW causing the them to jump out of their skin, spilling their scolding latte..... (why oh why is it always a black BMW?)

But then reality cruelly intervened, and my wife asked me why I had a maniacal smile.... and then I did start to think about how it should be used appropriately. Anybody swear by an Airzound? Anybody bought one and decided it wasn't worth it? Anyone been overzealous? Are you more tempted to use it because you have it rather than when you should?

 

[upsidedown]

Had one for about three weeks. Only used it once and that provoked an extreme reaction from a woman in a Rav 4 (she ended up following me with her hazard lights on). I've realised that when I'm anticipating using it I sort the problem out myself, so I suppose indirectly it's made me anticipate things better. Will be taking it off this weekend.

 

[BentMikey]

AirZounds are awesome. A yell works too, mind, but the airzound is better at getting drivers to react to you quickly and automatically - they are already trained to react to the horn. Yells are much more easily ignored.

Yes, I'm tempted to use it inappropriately, and it probably doesn't help that I learnt to drive in a very hooty culture. Took me a little while to adapt here in the UK when we first came here.

Perhaps the only time I tend to use it slightly inappropriately is after a close pass, to get the driver's attention to watch my pushing out to the right motion. A bit grey area, as you could look at that as preventing a future incident. Regardless, it's not done in a punishment manner, but in an educational one, and is very effective at encouraging regulars to give me loads of space when overtaking.

 

[BentMikey]

Had one for about three weeks. Only used it once and that provoked an extreme reaction from a woman in a Rav 4 (she ended up following me with her hazard lights on). I've realised that when I'm anticipating using it I sort the problem out myself, so I suppose indirectly it's made me anticipate things better. Will be taking it off this weekend.

Just following you with hazards on - surely that's not very extreme, or did she do other stuff? I reckon I'd have pulled over and spoken to her myself. What was the detail of the whole incident?

 

[upsidedown]

Just following you with hazards on - surely that's not very extreme, or did she do other stuff? I reckon I'd have pulled over and spoken to her myself. What was the detail of the whole incident?

She actually stopped in front of me, got out and gave me a load of abuse. She then said she was going to take my number and report me for using a horn. When the penny dropped that i didn't have a number she said she's follow me home, hence following me with hazards on. She must have calmed down a bit as she turned off a mile or so later.

 

[Jezston]

When you first get one and discover The Awesome Power Of The Airzound, it's ability to make people stop and take notice, the temptation is certainly there to over-use it.

Think I've used mine once, maybe twice in about two months now. Now the novelty has worn off, I only use it when someone is about to do something stupid like pull in without looking.

 

[ufkacbln]

It is a legitimate "audible warning device" and very effective. I have lost count of the number of incidents averted by this item

You can with practice "blip" the horn as well as the full blast.

 

[BSRU]

When needed I use a bell for pedestrians and the Airzound for motor vehicles as there is no way they are going to hear my bell.
The novelty quickly wears off and I use it sparingly.

 

[BentMikey]

She actually stopped in front of me, got out and gave me a load of abuse. She then said she was going to take my number and report me for using a horn. When the penny dropped that i didn't have a number she said she's follow me home, hence following me with hazards on. She must have calmed down a bit as she turned off a mile or so later.

LOL! That must have been funny. What did she do to need a beep?

Must admit that would tempt me to beep her more...

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

I got mine at the end of November. I have used it properly, to let people know I'm there, several times since then and I'm sure it has stopped a few SMIDSYs and probably about four left hooks. If there is someone waiting to come out of a side road, I watch their front wheels, and sound the horn if they start to move at all before I am past them.

It is tempting to use it for other purposes, and I do occasionally use it to let drivers know they passed me far too closely. I still don't know whether this is a good idea or not - the views on that seem to be split fairly equally. I have noticed that, on a couple of occasions, I have used it for someone who passed too close and inadvertently stopped a left hook, so I guess that's one reason for doing it.

I also have a bell for pedestrians, but I usually end up shouting to them.

 

[Lizban]

I find that a cheery good morning in the ear of a dozy ped makes them jump out of their skins.

 

[S_t_e_v_e]

I could have used an Airzound this morning after a female driver nearly left hooked me. I spotted the left indicator as she overtook so I slowed down enough to make the situation safe. I now wish I would have stopped to give her some constructive feedback...

 

[XmisterIS]

She actually stopped in front of me, got out and gave me a load of abuse. She then said she was going to take my number and report me for using a horn. When the penny dropped that i didn't have a number she said she's follow me home, hence following me with hazards on. She must have calmed down a bit as she turned off a mile or so later.

I would have stood there and phoned the police. She must be a Daily Wail reader, that's all I can think of ...

 

[Alan Whicker]

I took mine off after I used it on peds a couple of times, when I should have used the bell. However, I wished I had it this morning when I was left-hooked by a van by the Bow Flyover, so it's going back on the bike.

 

[cyberknight]

I Do not think Airzounds are bad at all it as a tool like any other , if it is used sensibly to warn other road users of your presence then it is fine.If you buy one with the intention of scaring people for the fun of it i think you really do not need one, buy one to help with your safety then its perfectly ok.

Bike radar had a thread like this last week and it just descended into a a " if you have a Airzound you are a tw*t " rather than discussing the good and bad points , mind you the staunchest defender of them has 2 on 1 bike and is renowned as a bit of a blowhard.I shall not name names but who rides with 2 airzounds and needs 3+ high power torches with a lifetime warranty .........( and does not go out at night )

I have one but i rarely use it