I referee several sports, and the Fox 40 Classic has been the best whistle that I've ever used. It never fails to sound, unlike traditional whistles, and is loud enough to be heard over the loudest crowds. It's no wonder that the Fox 40 is trusted by so many officials. 5 stars

The Fox 40 whistle is so simple that it amazes me that anyone ever used pea whistles for professional sports officiating. The loud blasts stops game action in its tracks, and players and spectators will tend to respect you more.

The key to this whistle is in its multiple chambered design. Each chamber sounds a single note, fairly loudly, but that does not "trill" as we expect whistles to do. However, each chamber is tuned to a very slightly different note. The combination of close but different pitches leads to a "beating" effect which sounds like trilling. Try whistling two close but different notes with a friend and you'll quickly see what I'm talking about.

There are no moving parts, so it doesn't matter if it's wet, and it doesn't jam when you blow too hard.

For about 8 bucks delivered, you can have the same whistle used by the professionals in the NBA, NCAA, NFL, and the NHL, just to name the most popular American sports.

One word of caution: This is not a toy. Giving one to a kid is guaranteed to make your life miserable and could maybe even damage your hearing. It's that loud. 5 stars

This is a great whistle - commands attention and extremely loud. Make sure you give it plenty of air, it blows loud or not at all. Lots of fun to use as well. I highly recommend this for anyone (official, coach, PE teacher) who needs to get students' attention quickly. 5 stars

Most, if not all, sports officials are familiar with the Fox 40 whistle. It was designed by Ron Foxcroft and Joe Forte (hence "Fox" + "40"), two basketball officials sometime in the mid to late '80s. I bought my first Fox 40 in late 1988 when I began to officiate basketball after an experienced co-official told me in my very first game that I wasn't blowing my whistle loud enough. Well, the Fox 40 solved that. In fact, later people told me they didn't like me blowing it that loud. This is the whistle used by all officials you see working any basketball game you will likely watch.

The classic fit my mouth pretty well, but the company started selling the "mini." I never really liked that due to the sound, but others I know did. I usually bought 2-3 new whistles each season prior to working games, but I actually never had any that wore out. I had a couple I kept for partners who didn't have one, and kept spares in case I lost one, which I never did. Now, the company has other models which I haven't tried.

When I worked games, I bit down pretty hard on my whistle to keep it in my mouth, but I never busted one. Tooth marks, yes, but all of them still work. I knew one guy that bit down hard as well, in fact, so hard he broke several whistles. I never had that problem, and most people won't either.

I gave my wife one of these to keep on her key ring, as if she is ever assaulted, she can blow this thing in someone's ear and literally deafen them. 5 stars

Used it for a couple of years for calling basketball games. As previously stated, no moving parts makes it unable to jam, perfect sound if you blow hard enough, and you need nothing more. Affordable too. 5 stars