I was prompted by a post on another forum to compare the small, pea type whistle I carry to a full size Fox 40. With my wife at the other end of the house I first tried one and then the other and then mixed them up a couple of times. In all cases my wife reported that the little $2.50 blue whistle I got at EMS was louder than the Fox <img src="images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> This wasn't a truly scientific experiment but interesting none-the-less.

Has anyone had a similar observation/experience?

Observations based upon experience with family members of various ages and occupations. Different follks have differing amounts of hearing loss as they age, and based on what they've done in their lives that may have exposed them to varying amounts of noise.

My dad (farm boy then school teacher for 43 years) has much better high range hearing than I (construction work for 22 years plus a bunch of hours in noisy cockpits, target shooting etc.) My understanding is that the high range hearing is the first to go, and that the hearing loss is a cumulative trauma. Something about the little hairs in the inner ear breaking off...perhaps one of our resident Doctors can provide a more concise explaination.

We were comparing the full size STORM with the FOX 40. The FOX seems to be a higher pitch than the STORM. I hear the STORM more clearly than the FOX. My dad is the opposite.

My wife and the kids say that the FOX is more shrill and louder...go figure. I carry both.

As far as the whistle that you are testing against, I have no idea. Perhaps some website research would provide more info. Seems to me that the STORM and FOX sites have info. regarding pitch.

Another thing is that the pea in the whistle you have is creating a warbling effect, which could seem louder.

Try taking all of your whistles outside and see which one can be heard the furthest by which members of the family. Might be interesting to hear your reports. Come to think of it, I might try that myself. <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

One thing that I know for a fact...if you're going to be blowing on them for more than a quick shot, you ought to be wearing earplugs. These babies are deafening when you are the noisemaker behind them. BTDT <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Comanche7

Remember that the advantage of a pea-less model is that it has no pea to get stuck. There would be no contest with the pea variety if the pea's stuck.