Loud hailer speaker - who makes one that isn't cheap plastic?

LaRea

I am looking for a hailer speaker that is of higher quality than the typical cheap plastic ones.  Any suggestions?

I'm talking about an external PA loudspeaker mounted on a radar arch or hardtop.  Standard Horizon and Shakespeare both make affordable horn speakers that work fine, but they are made from "impact resistant plastic" with cheap-looking plastic mounts.  After 1-2 seasons, the plastic turns yellow and looks crappy.  I have yet to find one made from a durable material.  

The products from Simrad, Mister Fish and Raymarine are slightly better, but they are all plastic.  

Black_Diamond

http://www.misterfishmarineelectronics.com/product_info.php?products_id=44710778

LaRea

Thanks BD.  I did see that one, and it seems to be a grade above the Standard Horizon, but still not what I'm looking for.  Ideally, I'd like one in steel painted white with a cast stainless steel mount.  Or maybe a stainless/chrome finish horn.  

It looks like I'll have to just buy cheap, and treat it like a 2-year disposable item.

raybo3

Why not paint the one that BD showed you and keep a coat of wax on it???

LaRea

That's a possibility, but I am guessing it would still look like crap after a year or two. Plus, I just think it's odd that nobody makes a high-quality marine hailer speaker. I'll keep looking.

For what it's worth, here's what I have seen so far.

Cheap: Standard Horizon, Shakespeare, Newmar, MG Electronics

Slightly higher qualilty: Raymarine, Simrad, Mr. Fish 

Black_Diamond

Getting one in metal/stainless might be a challenge.  Forming it would be tough, needing a deep draw die or stamping and welding it.  be heavy I bet too.  You could just paint it yourself too. 

BoatAway

the other thing you might try is to treat the new one with 303 and see if it last longer. spray the heck out of everything, maybe yearly...

LaRea

Thanks folks. If the people here don't know of a really nice hailer speaker, that probably means it doesn't exist!

trich11

Take a look at a Moose MPI-38. I have used these for years for alarm systems and have never had fail.

LaRea

I spent another 2-3 hours researching this topic.  The comment from trich11 led me to some fresh paths, including siren speakers, pager speakers and alarm horns.  In the end ... drum roll ...

... I bought the usual crappy plastic marine hailer speaker.  What the heck, I'll replace it in 2-3 years when the plastic turns yellow, chalky and brittle. 

Black_Diamond

Use the 303 or Woody Wax on it and it will last longer.

Black_Diamond

There are some types very resistant to UV, but usually expensive and not used for injection or centrifugal molding, it has to be machined like metal.  Your general 'plastic' does not tolerate UV unless coated, I'm sure you've seen some turn to dust or become brittle.

LaRea

I did find a few sturdy-looking aluminum horns, but most are painted battleship gray, and none of them met my spec.  (I needed white, 4 Ohms, 30 Watts, max 8" wide, with a mount that tolerates shock and vibration).  If I ever find one, I'll buy it and get rid of my plastic toy horn. 

WD-40 --- why didn't I think of that.  Corrosion would be too afraid to attack WD-40!  When WD-40 does pushups, it isn't pushing itself up ... it's pushing the Earth down.  WD-40 has a grizzly-bear rug, but the bear isn't dead ... it's too afraid to move.  

LaRea

LaRea said:

... I bought the usual crappy plastic marine hailer speaker.  What the heck, I'll replace it in 2-3 years when the plastic turns yellow, chalky and brittle. 

As predicted -- my plastic hailer speaker is yellow, chalky and brittle.  Am I asking too much?  Is it really that difficult to make a speaker that will last?  I mean, how about a fiberglass horn finished with gelcoat?  

Dream_Inn

I'd try a paint on it at this point, what have you got to lose?  I'd say you just didn't keep enough UV protectant on it!   Hard to believe there is not any metal ones out there.

Liberty44140

What is interesting about this is that it is very possible to make white plastic for marine applications that last. Not as long as metal, but more than a few years. Look at white boat port's, they last, not sure why marine hailer and speaker manufacturers wont move to something that will last.

Dirtythirty

These will last way longer than any chinzy plastic ones you find.  You may have to paint to suit your needs.
https://www.galls.com/galls-100w-speaker?PMWTNO=000000000002260&PMSRCH=

skennelly

Not sure if I should hijack this thread or start a new one.  I'm in the market for a new VHF and was thinking of one with a hailer function.  Does anyone use the hailer horn sounds in place of the regular helm horn button?

LaRea

I don't use mine for that.  But I do use it as a microphone now and then.

@Dirtythirty, interesting find.  But if I'm going to paint a speaker, I guess I'd just paint the one I have.  Matter of fact, I suppose I should just paint it and shut up.  

raybo3

Not sure why everyone thinks a metal one will last longer in a salt water environment. The reason they only last a few years is because the manufactures want you to keep buying them. Yes they can be painted, seen it many times. 

bry1429

Durable enough IMO

Willhound

bry1429 said:

Durable enough IMO

"We're on a mission from God!"

Glassguy54

"There's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark out and we're wearing sunglasses."

TonyG13

"Hit it!"

skennelly

"Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration, don't fail us now."

LaRea

Every two years, I try to find a hailer speaker that isn't made from cr@p-@ss plastic.  Mine looked like this two years ago.  Now it looks yellower, chalkier and more brittle than ever.  Help me. 

LaRea said:

LaRea said:

... I bought the usual crappy plastic marine hailer speaker.  What the heck, I'll replace it in 2-3 years when the plastic turns yellow, chalky and brittle. 

As predicted -- my plastic hailer speaker is yellow, chalky and brittle.  Am I asking too much?  Is it really that difficult to make a speaker that will last?  I mean, how about a fiberglass horn finished with gelcoat?  

PickleRick

Why not make a little sunbrella canvas draw string cover (like a grill cover) to put over it when not in use?  Saiboat overs do this for their goodies from winches to sails to electronics to helm.  

aero3113

LaRea

Thanks, but I don't want to cover it or paint it.  I want a hailer that looks nice without paint or a cover.  I'm on a mission from g@d.  

Dirtythirty

https://www.wish.com/product/5ad835240de055389e7d9d69?from_ad=goog_shopping&_display_country_code=US&_force_currency_code=USD&pid=googleadwords_int&c={campaignId}&ad_cid=5ad835240de055389e7d9d69&ad_cc=US&ad_curr=USD&ad_price=77.40&campaign_id=7203534630&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9_mDBhCGARIsAN3PaFOLT9yz7RylZ-2PwPK85ZWnhN8DquecPi2HBeSfA8GY3wjFHY1-NK8aArk0EALw_wcB&hide_login_modal=true&share=web

LaRea

Interesting.  That one is actually made from metal.  But if you look closely, it's cheaply made.  The wire terminals are exposed, the material is probably zinc-plated steel, and the back cover doesn't fit correctly.  It wouldn't last a year on a boat hardtop.  Federal Signal makes other horn speakers, but only in grey, black and red.