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Coghlan's Four Function Whistle
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Coghlan's Four Function Whistle

Item # 669627

$4.50

Item qualifies for annual
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Clip this compact survival whistle to your pack or life jacket for added safety to your outdoor travels.

  • Features a loud, pealess whistle, Fahrenheit/Celsius thermometer, magnifying lens and compass with glow-in-the-dark dial
  • Spring-loaded metal clip for attachment to a belt or lanyard

Imported.

Item 669627

Coghlan's Four Function Whistle Specs

Specification

Description

MaterialPlastic

Coghlan's Four Function Whistle Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Coghlan's Four Function Whistle
 
3.3

(based on 4 reviews)

75%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Easy to pack (3)
  • Simple to use (3)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Backcountry camping (3)
    • Campgrounds (3)
    • Day trips (3)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Avid adventurer (3)
    • What Is Your Gear Style:
    • Minimalist (3)

    Reviewed by 4 customers

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    Displaying reviews 1-4

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    Jan

    3

    2008

    (5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

     
    1.0

    Piece of junk

    By DesertRose

    from Philadelphia, PA

    About Me Casual/ Recreational

    Site Member

    Pros

      Cons

      • Flimsy

      Best Uses

        Comments about Coghlan's Four Function Whistle:

        I bought this to have an inexpensive compass on hand for emergencies. Well, the compass never worked properly, and the temperature readings were not accurate (I compared it with two other thermometers). I had it hooked on my day pack, and after about five moderate hikes, it broke away from the clip. Don't waste your money, even if it is only [$].

        • What Is Your Gear Style:
        • Minimalist

        Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

        (5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

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        Dec

        19

        2008

        (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

         
        3.0

        Nice inexpensive gadget

        By BenSSE

        from Reading, PA

        About Me Avid Adventurer

        Pros

        • Easy To Pack
        • Educational for kids
        • Fun for kids
        • Safety
        • Simple To Use

        Cons

        • Chain is too fragile
        • Imprecise

        Best Uses

        • Backcountry Camping
        • Campgrounds
        • Day Trips
        • Hiking Safety for Any Age

        Comments about Coghlan's Four Function Whistle:

        I have bought, used, and replaced a number of these 4 function whistles, both the black (adult) and the yellow (kid) styles. I haven’t noticed any difference between the two, except that the yellow is much easier to find when dropped.

        I have gotten these for myself, my wife, and my two small children (ages 4 & 6). We clip these on to our kids’ belt loops, zipper pulls, or packs whenever we go hiking. A whistle is no substitute for keeping the kids in sight, but it’s a nice backup just in case. We’ve taught them that three toots means come help me, and when they hear two toots, it means we are trying to find them. To help alleviate the temptation to blow it for fun while we hike, we usually let them make one loud blow at the beginning and/or end of a trail. They are beginning to learn compass basics. The magnifying glass is functional, and my kids like playing with it. The gadgets give a few minutes of entertainment for them both on the trail and in the car.

        When leading a youth group on a backpacking trip, I bought these for everyone participating (black for adults and yellow for teens). Everybody in the group was instructed that these are to always be on their person - when they go out of sight to relieve themselves, hunt for wood, hang the bear bag, collect water, etc. - it is to always be attached just in case. We had no problems, but it helped me as the group leader feel a bit more secure, plus all the teens thought it was neat that they got a new piece of gear.

        This compass only gives general direction (certainly not detailed enough for orienteering), but can be a backup for your primary compass.

        The thermometer is very basic and gives only very general readings at increments of 5 degrees Fahrenheit and 2 degrees Celsius. On two of mine the mercury separated in the thermometer.

        When dropped in the mud, these have been easy to clean. It is pealess, which I prefer, as it means I don’t need to worry about a ball getting stuck due to dirt or internal ice.

        It is relatively light, but if all you need is a whistle, you can get lighter and smaller.

        The clip is nice for attaching to packs or belt loops. The greatest problem with these whistles is the low-quality chain-link that connects the clip to the whistle. I have had four of these break, twice resulting in the loss of the whistle (which can result in a crying toddler). I lost one whistle when hiking through a blue berry patch. The whistle had been attached to my pack, but a few miles later all that remained was the clip and half the chain. It is cheap, so no big loss, but I did feel badly about a piece of plastic now littering the woods somewhere. Plus, since I lost it, I couldn’t use it to scare off a bear I encountered the next day; fortunately yelling worked.

        After losing that whistle, I bought a Silva four function whistle, because it has a string lanyard instead of the chain-link. Both the Coghlan and the Silva are made in Taiwan with the same patent numbers. The only differences that I can tell are: the color (the Silva is grey), the price, and the lanyard string vs. chain-link and clip. The string has been much more dependable, but it would have been just as easy to attach string to the cheaper Coghlan. However, for small children a clip is better than a neck lanyard, as a lanyard around the neck can pose a strangulation hazard.

        I would recommend this to a friend as a cheap gadget, while noting the above limitations. I would also recommend using a string lanyard with mini-biner (or a key ring with a mini-biner) in place of the chain-link. I would recommend the cheaper yellow (which is easier to see when dropped) rather than the black. They make for great stocking stuffers. I would especially recommend this for children and teens, as I’ve experienced them really liking this gadget. Plus if you or your child loses it, it is no major loss to your wallet.

        • Gift:
        • No

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

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        Oct

        3

        2008

        (1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

         
        4.0

        Great inexpensive multi-use tool

        By one track mind

        from Phoenix, AZ

        About Me Avid Adventurer

        Site Member

        Pros

        • Easy To Pack
        • Effective
        • Simple To Use

        Cons

        • Thermometer is small

        Best Uses

        • Backcountry Camping
        • Campgrounds
        • Day Trips
        • General Use
        • River Trips
        • Road Trips
        • Winter Conditions

        Comments about Coghlan's Four Function Whistle:

        I clip this to my backpack for hiking, snowboarding, weekend trips and camping. The whistle works. Good for letting bears know that you're coming. Compass works. Keep it level for your most accurate reading. Thermometer is pretty darn close, but it's hard to read. Don't expect accurate readings. Magnifying glass, haven't used it. Not sure if it's strong enough for starting a fire or burning ants, but I hope I don't have to use it for that. No problems with the metal clip. I like it and it's useful clipped to my shoulder strap on my backpack.

        • Gift:
        • No
        • What Is Your Gear Style:
        • Minimalist

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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        Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

        Oct

        5

        2009

        (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

         
        5.0

        Convenient Survival Tool

        By Excelsior

        from Loveland, CO

        About Me Avid Adventurer

        Pros

        • Easy To Pack
        • Effective
        • Simple To Use

        Cons

        • Whistle could be louder

        Best Uses

        • Backcountry Camping
        • Campgrounds
        • City Safety
        • Day Trips
        • Road Trips
        • Winter Conditions

        Comments about Coghlan's Four Function Whistle:

        This is a high quality survival whistle. The whistle could be a little louder. It has a very good button compass, and a convenient, fold-out magnifying glass for starting fires. It also has a thermometer to help you keep track of the temperature. The chain can be used as a saw. This would also be a good thing to use for city safety. You could use the whistle to call for help if someone is bothering you.

        • Gift:
        • No
        • What Is Your Gear Style:
        • Minimalist

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

        Was this review helpful? Yes / No

         - You may also flag this review

        Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

        Displaying reviews 1-4

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