DennisN replied:

I believe Greyhound buses did a user test on Shoo Roos some years back and found them very effective [I note they still use bull bars though]. An alternate idea might be an "air driven whistle" - or something similar. My local "Opposite Lock" dealer has one on the bonnet of his 4wd - a simple device that works from the air being pushed through it as you drive. Where you would get them in Melb/Geelong I don't know, but they would be a fraction of the price of the Shoo Roo I think. hope this helps.

DennisN replied:

G'day Grant. it was a funny looking thing - about the size of a matchbox. Had a conical sort of shape and was bolted onto the bonnet on the left hand side. The bloke from Opposite Lock said it worked on a simple principle of air passsing through it and giving off a high frequency sound. How effective it was I don't know, but I notice he also has a bullbar on his 4wd :)Maybe some of the 4wd accessory shops around your area might have an idea of what they are all about. I have only ever seen the one. Personally I will rely on my TJM bull bar. regards

Steven P. replied:

I have used the "whistles" for years, about $10-00 a pair from Motor Accessory shops, don't get the USA ones though, very noisy around town and don't seem to work.(amd annoy my wife, I'm deaf so can't hear them) I have never hit a Roo with one on the vehicle and the galahs and Corellas lift off about 200 metrs earlier. You need to fit the pair though, if a bug blocks one they dont work. Safe travelling, Steven P.

DougTT replied:

We have had a "Shu-Roo" fitted to our Toyota Hi-Lux since we got it new in 1999. We've been to Darwin twice, and travelled Gibb River Road in 2001. While there are many sceptics around, and it is not possible to prove that it does work, we have not come even close to hitting a roo or any other animal in over 25,000 kms of travelling through animal-infested areas. Every animal we have ever seen has certainly been aware of our presence, and it gives us some peace-of-mind. Those eagles and things are well off the ground before we get to them, and emus go bush if the vehicle faces them. Unfortunately you can only prove that they don't work (When you come home with a roo on your bull-bar).
We live in Melbourne and had to buy ours through ARB in Bendigo - we had poor feed-back through some local shops. Its possible that highly educated 4wd drivers may feel too embarassed to admit that they forgot to turn the shu-roo on when they hit a kangaroo (if you believe all they tell you in the shops) We've also got those little whistle_things on our (toy) bull-bar.
Regards

Jim Searle replied:

We did the Simpson last year and had the whistles on. Super Cheap $6.50! can't prove they worked but it seemed that the roos sat up and we aware of our presence. Could not say that about emus!!!
They are easy to damage when washing.
Jim