How about a real bell for the chime instead of the tinny, artificial dinger? Not just any bell, either. It must be a nice, classy brass bell. Don't be annoyed into buckling up, be notified by a 'brass butler'.
-- galukalock, May 07 2003

Everyone please observe... http://funwavs.com/...quote=969&sound=126
[thumbwax, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

I imagine that would get annoying as well. Besides, it would take up space. Maybe a voice instead. But this idea isn't really original. So, fishbone. (I know, I know, I'm one to talk.)
-- Eugene, May 07 2003


Or route the sound through the stereo system. Usually that's high enough quality to do a pretty good imitation of a non-annoying sound (brass bell, or whatever your preference). There would be some integration challenges to overcome, especially with add in stereo systems since that would require an industry standard.

I wouldn't be willing to pay more for a feature like this since I always buckle up first to avoid the noise anyway, but interfacing with the stereo system might be cheaper in the long run, since adding an interface and tone generator to a stereo is probably cheaper per unit than all but the cheapest annoying buzzer. Fancy aftermarket stereos might have the ability to customize alarm sounds/volumes too.
-- scad mientist, May 07 2003


I literally remove this feature in the dealer’s lot when I buy a car. [ack], I used to remove that “your door is a jar” device too.

Neutral – just my opinion.
-- Shz, May 07 2003


When I said voice, I was thinking of the sultry woman's voice of Bond's car in "Tomorrow Never Dies". _That_ kind of voice.
-- Eugene, May 07 2003


(sprays coffee everywhere) What?! Get *rid* of the synthesized dingers? No, me lad, just make a classy alternative.
-- galukalock, May 08 2003


The US Air Force is very keen on synthesised voices in the cockpits of fighter aircraft - a good idea of course, as a figher pilot will have enough to look at as it is.
When doing research on this (in the '50's, I think) they found that a pilot was much more likely to hear an important instruction ("Pull up!" "Pull up!") if the voice used was the pilot's mother.
-- hippo, May 08 2003



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