Yes, I know I'm a referee nerd ...I have too much money and not enough stuff to spend it on...and that is why I end up with 24 whistles. Fox 40: -Fox 40 Classic: -Black -Black with white USSF logo -Black with black USSF logo -Yellow -Red -Blue -Green -Fox 40 Mini - Black -Fox 40 Pearl - Black -Fox 40 Dolfin - Black -Fox 40 Sonik - Black -Fox 40 Sonik Blast: -Black -Black CMG -Fox 40 Sharx - Black -Fox 40 Micro - Neon Yellow Acme: -Acme Cyclone 888 - Black -Acme Tornado 2000 - Black *-Acme Thunderer Plastic - Black -x2 Acme Tornado 635 - Black -Acme Tornado - Black *-Acme Thunderer Metal - Silver Miscellaneous: *-Party Whistle - Green -Souvenir Compass Keychain Whistle - Blue *=Pea whistle I am looking to buy a few more whistles, specifically ones with the peas, since I have only three of that type: -Metal or plastic Balillas -Law 5 Devestator ^Does anyone own either of these two types of whistles? If so, please let me know how you like them. If anyone wants to know anything specific about any of the whistles I own, feel free to ask!
My goodness, that is a quite a whistle fetish you've got going there! Not to worry, you're amongst friends.
I use the Devastator as my primary whistle. I've never liked Fox40... you can't "speak" with it well, IMHO--it's either on or off. The Devastator is about as loud, and with the turbine instead of a pea you don't worry about it getting stuck. All the advantages of a pea whistle without the one major disadvantage. I suppose it could malfunction, but I have one that's been going strong for close to 10 years. It only comes in black, so I have a red Fox40 mini on the same ring... in case 1) I need a different tone, or 2) I drop it in the grass.
Great collection. But one small point: isn't it a bit presumptuous of you to use Kansas FIFA as your screen name and use a FIFA badge as your avatar, unless you are actually on the FIFA list? My apologies if you are!
Did you forget this: http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/5247011/2/istockphoto_5247011-party-whistle.jpg
Thanks, I think I'll get one! Anyone have any experience with the ballilas? I would love to get a couple of those but there are nine different types! Which ones should I go for? Preferably, one metal and one plastic. Haha, yeah it is. I'm not a FIFA (yet). Nope, I don't have that one!
I got a pair of Devastators. Bought them from 'Elizondo' on the forum here. He said he bought a bunch last year so he may still have one or have a line on how to get one. I recall they were 10$ each. If that does not work out... send me a note and I may part with one. I'm pretty sure he still has some. I'll likely see him at the FWR next week in Albequerque.
I have a large stockpile And yes, I'll be in Albuquerque for FWRC so Region IV referees looking to load up on Devastators can hit me up. Contact me off list for details if you want some.
And if you got money to spare... look up the Noda Whistle. It was also discussed in an earlier forum thread. http://www.nodawhistles.com/
I have one in my picture above, on the left hand side in the middle. It sounds good and everything for a pea whistle, but it's fairly narrow which makes it feel tiny in my hands. I still prefer the Sonik Blast CMG as my primary whistle.
I have a Fox 40 classic with fingergrip (among others) in my collection. I don't use it that much. What do you guys think of the fingergrip whistles?
if you want to try something different, have you looked at the hammerhead? very loud, and directs the sound forward more than up. you do have to hold it by it's sides, or your fingers get in the way of the sound. http://www.bestwhistle.com/ourwhistle.php
New ref, here. Why do you guys have so many different whistles? I have three (and I couldn't even tell you their names). Two are black and one is yellow. Only thing I'm thinking of getting is the whistle that sits on my fingers. I feel this would work more efficiently for me. Otherwise, I'm not sure why I would want more. You guys a bunch of completionists or prone to fashion?
Different whistles have different characteristics. We work in a vast range of environments - noisy stadia, open fields, wind, etc. Sometimes we need to change because nearby fields cause player confusion over similar whistles. You will find that as you advance, you'll have a real need for at least three or four. Anything beyond that is, imo, referee jewelry. And there's nothing wrong with that...
Dang! That Noda whistle is expensive! Unless it's truly amazing I don't think I'll drop 30 bucks on one whistle! In case anyone was wondering, my favorite whistle out of my collection is the Fox 40 Sonik Blast CMG (you and me both, RichM)! I have never used/owned a fingergrip whistle, but I may consider that. Heard of hammerhead...which one would I buy??? So...many...options...!!!
hmmmm, I think I need more whistles I've been using the Fox40 Classic fingergrip for the past season and it's not the greatest IMO. Nothing wrong with the Fox40, but the fingergrip just doesn't work for me. Problems I've had (yup, some stupid ones in here) - Difficulty pulling notebook/cards out of pockets (keep mine in my shorts) - Until I switched to my left hand, I had to take it off to write. (I keep notebook in left, yellow in right pocket, so I either have trouble getting my notebook, or have to take my whistle off to write anything.) - The band around fingers gets sweaty and is a pain - I'm sure at some point I got it hit with the ball...not the most enjoyable experience Probably better to stay away from the fingergrip. I just got another Fox40 to replace the fingergrip.
ALL OF THEM!! But seriously, my primary whistle is the Fox 40 Dolphin with a red Classic attached. For Futsal, I use a Fox 40 Mini. I've been thinking about getting a Hammerhead and a Devastator. Never had to worry about the "noisy stadia"... yet...
What do you mean noisy stadium? Is a pea whistle louder in a stadium? It seems as though almost ALL of the WC referees use Fox 40s...
I know my Fox 40 Sonik Blast CMG can still be heard when a freight train is on the tracks on the other side of the fence from one of our local league's fields.. The center I worked several semi-final games with, alternating CR/AR/AR, etc. had a generic pea whistle that was useless during the train.
I almost always use a finger grip whistle. My current preference is the new sonic blast FG... Very Very loud!. I have 4 or 5 others FG style whistles. I may use them when neighboring fields may sound similar or I just feel like a lower or higher pitch due to local background noise... such as trains/traffic. My backup whistle (in my pocket is the Devastator). Thanks Elizondo! FyI I noticed there was a referee in the WC that used a FG whistle. I think it was on Monday. If they use it there.. the the FG style whistle has finally made it to the top!
Another Fox 40 Sonik Blast lover! It's gaining popularity.. that's 3 of us in this thread who like it the best.
Ok, I've ordered 2 devestators from Elizondo, and I'm still debating on ordering a Noda. I want to order a few ballilas, some metal and some plastic, but don't know which models to choose. If anyone has any experience with any ballilas please, please, please let me know and tell me which ones you would suggest and which you would not. Ballilas: http://www.thewhistleline.com/whistles2.htm Thanks in advance!