This is a fantastic product. Fits in minutes and the trigger (that''s really the best word for it!) is in easy reach next to my gearshift lever. It''s also dayglo orange, so easy to find in a hurry if you need to look down to locate it (though you should really be concentrating on braking and steering during a crisis :) )
I commute by bicycle daily and got sick and tired of idiots in cars and trucks pulling wild maneuvers in front of me. I''ve only had this for 2 days and already avoided a couple of near misses (turned them into wide misses) with it. When cranked to full volume it *really* gets drivers'' attention even with their windows wound up and Eminem rattling their mirrors!
Way more effective than my little ding-ding bell!
I''ve currently got it fitted into my 2nd bottle cage, but I think I may switch to the supplied velcro/zip tie arrangement so that I can strap it to my top-tube and regain my 2nd bottle cage for longer rides or a headlight battery.
4 stars ''cos I can''t yet vouch for its longevity we''ll see how it stands up to a Seattle Winter! :)
[edit 2012-08]
Well, it gets that 5th star back for sure. 7 years and still kicking. It''s been through a few accidents (one of which gifted me a titanium plate and 7 screws) and it''s still going strong, loud and clear. The "clip/bracket" broke at some time, but it''s still operational, wedged in between a few other gadgets on my bar.
I second everything Kuyper wrote in his review, and am giving this product the extra star he left out because I''ve had my horn for almost 5 years and its still going strong (and loud). I''ve been pleasantly surprised that this lightweight tubing and plastic canister can hold close to 100psi for a very long time without leaking.
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What a fantastic product! Its small, lightweight, and loud. When it runs out of air, a few pumps with my bike pump and its ready to go. It was easy to install and took no more room than a standard water bottle. The horn is inconspicuous on my handlebars but is exactly what I need to get the attention of the driver pulling into my lane with their windows closed and radio blaring.
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This product is terrific, and is vitally needed by the serious MATURE (by disposition) commuter/utility/recreational cyclist in traffic. It''s amazing how drivers, even well-intentioned ones, will either fail to see a bicyclist, or WILL see, actually smile a warm smile, then think, "Good! nothing''s coming," .... and pull out from a stop-sign, a T-intersection stop, a right-on-red, or will make a left directly into my path ... as I''m clipping along at 16 or 28 mph. Ditto, drivers will parallel park on Main Street to shop, and eagerly open the driver''s door, AFTER quickly checking the mirror (maybe expecting me to veer out into car traffic?).
Air zound can TRULY SAVE A LIFE, when a driver, cocooned behind glass and steel, is oblivious to surroundings, illegally using the cellphone underway, or blaring the stereo. This can remind a driver (as someone astutely said earlier), by way of a brief JUDICIOUS reminder-tap, that bicycles are vehicles too, and cyclists, people too. For some short time, they may be kinder/gentler more ALERT drivers.
A passing car full of laughing teen boys, buzzing me way too close, just for "kicks," got a SOUND LESSON the second time (their windows were down), as they jumped in their skins, turned pale, and ceased laughing. But caution please...
Don''t put this gizmo at the disposal of an immature person. Those who get a high out of scaring pedestrians, where a friendly heads-up greeting would do fine, or into terrifying anyone not threatening their safety, should not have this LOUD aid for their mischief. Frivolous misuse (ABuse) of a 90 decibel device, is antisocial and illegal, and works AGAINST us bicyclists. That kind of behavior, mostly by kids, has ironically prompted some states to deprive the bicyclist of the legal use of ANY onboard sound device, tinkle-bells included. Just as many jurisdictions have set up mandatory helmet use for kids below a certain age, they could deprive kids below a certain age of devices like this. The temptation to harass, for novelty and kicks, is too great for kiddie mentalities.
Meanwhile, we grant (oops, we REQUIRE of) all drivers, access to horn buttons in their 2500 lb, sound-dampened, rolling fortresses, and even in a bus or trucking rig. Of course, those are needed ... but are so much more needed, on a 35 pound curbweight open vehicle, a few rails and wires, with little better personal protection than a foam helmet, the cyclist''s experience and reflexes, and (as next best warning device) her or his own voice.
However, many drivers routinely blast the horn when overtaking within 20 feet of even a serious, steady-tracking, safety conscious adult cyclist wearing a helmet, likely thinking they are being helpful. We already HEARD them coming, which helps us to brace a little, for the unexpected! An Air zound can let them, in turn, hear US coming, even if they are high on the music, lost in conversation, or spaced-out on daydreams.
Two minor product critiques, almost trivial versus the product benefits:
1. While the Air zound''s trigger to release a warning blast is excellent, it is unitized with the horn''s housing. Some brake + shifter combo sets prevent snugging that up near-enough to your trigger-thumb, and so a remote compact (stick-on?) trigger button, to splice into the airhose, would be a useful upgrade in some fraction of installations. The Air zound benefits depend on fast/seamless access. In an emergency, safety may dictate never taking fingers from the brake levers.
2. The Air zound''s anchoring could be made a bit more substantial (though if the horn is bumped free, it tags along, dangling by its strong lil hose).
Brief "tip:" To avoid banshee blasts while manhandling your bike in a quiet place, to bring it in/out of doors, do minor equipment fixes, etc., just slip a spare tire-valve cap over the combo fill/trigger valve, to lock it out. Works great when you park-and-lock, too -curious young fingers won''t know what is blocking use of horn. Just remember to remove the "safety," before riding again. Enjoy this BLAST of a cycling-safety product, and, er... keep the rubber side (your tires) down! ;-]
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Purchased this to insulate our Klean Kanteen, 1 liter bottles. It works great! Just the right size for these stainless steel bottles. Keeps them cold but also provides some shock absorption if they are dropped. They look good as well. Would definitely buy more and our ten year old is angling for a striped one. Oh yeah, they probably work really well for wine bottles as well!
