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$Coghlan\'s for Kids Four-Function Whistle$

Coghlan's for Kids Four-Function Whistle

$4.50

(2)

Item # 686104

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This ambitious little whistle also offers a compass, thermometer and magnifier for young explorers.

Great tool to help kids learn the basics of outdoor exploration
Includes a clip for attachment to belt loop, pack or school bag

Imported.

Item 686104

View all Coghlan's for Kids products

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Coghlan's for Kids Four-Function Whistle Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Coghlan's for Kids Four-Function Whistle

4.0

(based on 2 reviews)

Reviewed by 2 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-2

Mar

2009

(3 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

great

By snowbeast

from Johnston,RI

About Me Avid adventurer, Student

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Use
Effective Demonstration
Fun
Interactive
Promotes Learning

Cons

Best Uses

Gift
Home
Woods

Comments about Coghlan's for Kids Four-Function Whistle:

it is great for just exploring the woods

Comment on this review

Dec

2008

(23 of 24 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

My kids love this gadget

By BenSSE

from Reading, PA

About Me Hiker Camper Backpacker, Parent, Youth Leader

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Use
Fun
Promotes Learning
Safety

Cons

Chain is too fragile
Imprecise

Best Uses

Hiking Trail

Comments about Coghlan's for Kids 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.