Megaphone opinions

[PalmPony]

Hey all,
I have a clinic coming up and am doing small group sessions with children and teens/adults in a GIANT ring that can be hard to hear in if it is breezy . Although I love the cee-coach system, it’s just not practical for this situation or for group lessons. Who here has used megaphones to teach and what did you like/not like/what brand lasted? I’ve found a few on amazon, but wondering if the rechargeable battery actually works.

I’m honestly considering just teaching with a megaphone on windy days anyway.:rolleyes:

[Another-Bay]

Hmm. I have never ridden in any clinic with a megaphone. Thinking to riding on truly windy days, I don’t know if a megaphone would help with wind sounds rushing past my ears. Possibly it would be a creator of spooky sounds as well?

My two cents is stick to cee-coach. Why don’t you find it practical? I’ve used it in clinics to great success (with accompanying sound system for spectators).

[Huntin_Pony]

Get a wireless mic and speaker. If you have power at the ring, you can add a pre-amp easily. If not, a wireless setup will suffice. Sound quality MUCH better than megaphone and the clinician’s arm will thank you.

[PalmPony]

@Another-Bay

Hmm. I have never ridden in any clinic with a megaphone. Thinking to riding on truly windy days, I don’t know if a megaphone would help with wind sounds rushing past my ears. Possibly it would be a creator of spooky sounds as well?

My two cents is stick to cee-coach. Why don’t you find it practical? I’ve used it in clinics to great success (with accompanying sound system for spectators).

A lot of instructors used megaphones on the west coast in the area I was in and horses didnt seem to care. Hadn’t seen them used as much on east coast.

for group situations, cee-coach is cost prohibitive, and I honestly find them to feel “cheap”. For the cost, I would really like something that doesnt feel like it will break if I squeeze it too hard. Also, getting it on kids and getting it to stay put while jumping is a huge PITA. I have had heart attacks in the middle of a course and the damned thing flies off or is dangling.

we are working on getting power down to the ring,but wont be ready to go until fall:(

[DunByMistake]

My coach has a speaker that attaches around her waist. She speaks into microphone headset. I find it really easy to hear her unless it is a windy day - then I have to turn my head. Can’t remember the brand name of the one she uses - it was a couple hundred bucks to buy.

[Hej]

My coach has been using a megaphone for many years. I can’t swear this is the exact brand, but it looks a lot like the “TechnicalPro” I found on Amazon. It’s plenty loud, even on windy days.

It has a hand held mic, so you can set it at your feet or carry it on the shoulder strap if you walk around while you teach.

FYI, hers does run through batteries, but she teaches all day every day. They also are not indestructible, eventually they puke out and you have to get a new one.

[Huntin_Pony]

Perhaps I wasn’t clear about the mic/speaker option. You don’t have to have power at the ring if you buy (or borrow/lease) a battery-operated speaker. The mic can be a headset or lavalier and there are rechargeable speakers that will run all day. Not only do I run a clinic with such a set up but also have ridden in many that use the same.

As I said, the sound quality is better than most megaphone-type amps.

In any case, good luck and have fun.

[Another-Bay]

@PalmPony

A lot of instructors used megaphones on the west coast in the area I was in and horses didnt seem to care. Hadn’t seen them used as much on east coast.

for group situations, cee-coach is cost prohibitive, and I honestly find them to feel “cheap”. For the cost, I would really like something that doesnt feel like it will break if I squeeze it too hard. Also, getting it on kids and getting it to stay put while jumping is a huge PITA. I have had heart attacks in the middle of a course and the damned thing flies off or is dangling.

we are working on getting power down to the ring,but wont be ready to go until fall:(

The more you know! I grew up in the midwest and spent time on both coasts but never have seen a megaphone used for clinics, consider me slightly more educated.

My only concluding remark would be, what does the clinician prefer? They might have a good idea or suggestion or opinion on the matter.

[PalmPony]

@Another-Bay

My only concluding remark would be, what does the clinician prefer? They might have a good idea or suggestion or opinion on the matter.

Well, in this case I am the clinician lol, just a local clinic to offer people a chance to get back into the ring after the awful weather we have had and offer a chance to knock the dust off before show season really kicks off around here. we are working on getting electric run down to the ring before we hold our first show this fall, and have a speaker system for future outside clinicians so participants AND auditors can hear well. I hated paying to audit and then not being able to hear anything!

[HungarianHippo]

Seriously, check your local equipment rental center. They have powerful battery powered speakers with a bluetooth clip on mic., it’ll be plenty loud enough to fill the arena. I rented one for a full day and it was like $40.

Most people do not know how to properly use a megaphone-- just like a microphone, the megaphone has to be kept right up to your mouth. Folks commonly start out that way, but inevitably the megaphone gets lower, or they gesture with their hands, and now people can’t hear them (but the megaphone operator doesn’t realize until someone yells “Can’t hear!”)

Over a long clinic, I truly think you would be better served with a clip on bluetooth microphone.

[x]

I used to use a megaphone. Battery operated. It worked well and my students appreciated it.