Airzounds.... the good and the bad?

[gaz]

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 "

Do you expect anything more? Some of the posters on there are complete idiots! Unfortunately they have a large bark.


I have an Airzound, a broken one. I have been thinking about replacing it for a while, I think now is the time to do that

 

[Arfcollins]

I have an Airzound, a broken one. I have been thinking about replacing it for a while, I think now is the time to do that

How broken is it? I've just destroyed one while 'repairing' it, so I'm quite good on how they're constructed now. New one is coming next week so I also have a few spare parts.

 

[the snail]

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.

You could have let her follow you to the police station

 

[DamoDoublemint]

I do occasionally wish I had an Airzound, but for the times I feel I actually "need" one, I'm generally too busy avoiding an incident to use a horn.

Do they work well with drop bars? I can't imagine a good position for them, I think I would either end up hitting it accidentally, or it would get in the way of the brakes.

 

[gaz]

I do occasionally wish I had an Airzound, but for the times I feel I actually "need" one, I'm generally too busy avoiding an incident to use a horn.

Do they work well with drop bars? I can't imagine a good position for them, I think I would either end up hitting it accidentally, or it would get in the way of the brakes.

Under the hood. If you position it correctly then it has no effect on using the brakes or drops and you can sound it off whilst braking.

 

[Hydra]

I bought an Airzound in December after a few incidents with cars backing out into my path without looking et cetera. I soon found that once I had it attached I never used it. I think I only used it once, properly, and that was to toot at a driver sitting at a green light. I realized soon after that it was a learner driver and felt bad.

Now I've got myself a road bike I can't be bothered swapping it over. Might flog it, or just leave it where it is on my hybrid.

I think it's a very decent product, but one that I've found I have little use for. A keen sense of your surroundings, awareness, and a loud voice are worth more methinks.

 

[DamoDoublemint]

I think it's a very decent product, but one that I've found I have little use for. A keen sense of your surroundings, awareness, and a loud voice are worth more methinks.

My voice is my current substitution for one - it comes naturally, and doesn't prevent me from reacting to the situation. I'm surprised at how effective shouting is - there have been situations that I've shouted out of instinct, not expecting anything, but a driver has reacted to it. I still think a horn is what a driver expects to hear, and reacts more to it than a voice.

 

[2old2care]

I was knocked off 4 years ago and an Airzound would have saved me, I have since bought one, although I very rarely use it.

 

[DamoDoublemint]

I was knocked off 4 years ago and an Airzound would have saved me, I have since bought one, although I very rarely use it.

There have been times when I thought that a horn would have prevented a stupid move from a driver. On the other hand, it might have no effect, and braking/avoiding is a better approach. In an emergency situation, I can't imagine a horn getting me out of it better than braking/swerving, which is why I'm somewhat reluctant to get one. The situations where I can see myself using one, is more a reactionary situation, so not really "proper" use of a horn.

 

[BentMikey]

. A keen sense of your surroundings, awareness, and a loud voice are worth more methinks.

The first two aren't excluded by having an AirZound, and the bolded bit, well, drivers quite often ignore a shout, whilst they nearly always react to a beep. This makes the AirZound a useful safety device, provided of course you can configure your handlebar setup so that you can still steer or brake normally.

 

[BentMikey]

In an emergency situation, I can't imagine a horn getting me out of it better than braking/swerving

IMO there's no need to choose between approaches - you should be able to do both at the same time.

 

[Zoof]

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?

Sound's like the ideal thing for moving a party of ramblers out of the way, on a
narrow farm road, or on canal tow-path.
You must have encountered them walking in 4's, and taking no notice of a bell whatsoever!

You have just appealed to my dark side, must get one.


Zoof

 

[ufkacbln]

You could have let her follow you to the police station

I had a really close overtake at a pedestrian island, despite being in Primary, the guy actually clipped the island in his desparation to get by. He then stopped and accused me of being dangerously positioned....

Pointed out the video camera, that I had given a loud and audible warning, and called his bluff by phoning the Police, saying that he wanted to report a dangerous cyclist, then handed him the phone.

He was reluctant to do so, but the Police asked for hid details anyway. I kindly completed the call on his behalf.

After correspondence with the Police and a copy of the video he was paid a courtesy call, and his error was explained.

 

[punkedmonkey]

Pointed out the video camera, that I had given a loud and audible warning, and called his bluff by phoning the Police, saying that he wanted to report a dangerous cyclist, then handed him the phone.

He was reluctant to do so, but the Police asked for hid details anyway. I kindly completed the call on his behalf.

After correspondence with the Police and a copy of the video he was paid a courtesy call, and his error was explained.

HAHA! That is brilliant!

I bought an airzound a couple of weeks ago... it has been used three times- think carefully how you use it on peds - if you are a good distance away and they are just wandering down the middle of the road, it works quite well to inform them you are on you way towards them. At close quarters with peds it is probably too aggressive...

If you drive think how often you use a horn on a car (not very in my case)... so why would it be any different on a bike (apart from frequency of incidents)?

 

[cyberknight]

I do occasionally wish I had an Airzound, but for the times I feel I actually "need" one, I'm generally too busy avoiding an incident to use a horn.

Do they work well with drop bars? I can't imagine a good position for them, I think I would either end up hitting it accidentally, or it would get in the way of the brakes.

I have mine fitted like this after following the official instructions and it works very well as you can brake and still hit the Airzound..
http://www.airzound.co.uk/airzound-use-and-set-up/