Device that beeps/buzzes to act as the starter noise for swimming???? HELP

[Julian]

Ok. you amazingly creative lot.....my wife is the manager of our subdivision swim team and we've had complaints about the air horn we use to start the races with. We do have a good PA speaker (we have to turn it down its so good) so what I'm looking for need to meet the following:

1. SMALL handheld (ideally fit in a pick in a pocket)
2. CHEAP - under $40 ideally under $20
3. Not too quiet....but doesn't need to be loud
4. replaceable batteries - or so cheap we can buy multiple
5. One button operation....(can't have to wake up a phone for example)

I'm thinking there is a cheap kids toy out there that buzzes. Is there an APP for this??? (only challenge with that would be one's phone going to sleep would be a PITA)....which makes me wonder....and old cell phone key press tone? Humm....

Let the creative juices flow! I know we can find something!

 

[Magic]

Our swim team here bit the bullet and bought a regulation starting system, with strobe and adjustable volume starting horn..... There are also electric megaphones with a pushbutton starting horn.... I live right behind out Olympic team pool, so I know when they are practicing by the whistles......Doesn't bother me, I see it as a confirmation of summer, and I used to coach and ran the meets for many years......Now pickle-ball, that's the devils Anvil and hammer...I hate those guys.

Your timing is impeccable, our swim season starts today!

 

[Wayloncle]

One of these is the first thing I thought of....
http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Pro-PMP3...UTF8&qid=1401197810&sr=8-1&keywords=megaphone

Or a whistle...

 

[Chillypilot]

This would be perfect, it even has Boom Box Technology!



http://www.thefartmachine.com

 

[Lspeedss]

@Julian why not just a coaches whistle ?

 

[Topper232]

I vote for the fart machine, but then again I seem to live in a cartoon world thanks to being a product of the Looney Tunes weekend babysitter, as a kid

 

[Julian]

Starter has a wireless microphone so holding that and a megaphone would be less than desireable.

Got one of those fart machines already! LOL. Would be funny but too many kids might join in!

A kids play cellphone is an idea....

 

[Julian]

If you have an Android, go to the Play Store and download IPSC Shot Timer, it is used for shooting competitions, I think you will like it, not too loud.

Ok....but holding a smart phone and having to press buttons next to a pool might not be the starters idea of fun. I downloaded to check out....what mode do you suggest?

 

[Murf'n'surf]

I have a 12 volt marine horn that sounds like a "errrrrr" of a police siren. It's pretty loud but would require you to have a battery and switch. I think Perko makes the horn.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

I found it. It's made by Aqua Signal. If you want to hear it, PM me and I'll email you video tomorrow.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002JQ80PU/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1401242960&sr=8-2

 

[Lspeedss]

@Julian just take you boat with you and hit the Yammi horn. That sounds right.

 

[txav8r]

An easier solution would be to evict the @$$#0Le that is causing the problems in the neighborhood! LOL Or you could simply send him/her to the movies on the team, on the day of the event!