Gear Test Fail: Off Clip-it and ThermaCELL Insect Repeller

READERS COMMENTS

Ah, just read the comments and your remarks Joe. Your review does not clarify that you are talking about the testing parameters that failed, not the gear. My apologies.
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 Ray Estrella

(Thermacell)Q: Can I use ThermaCELL when it is windy?
A: In breezy weather, place the unit upwind of your location so that the repellent is carried by the wind into the area you want to protect.

You did not follow the directions that the company gives. What did you expect "testing" it in the wind?

(Off)When placing unit on a surface, lay the unit on its clip to allow open circulation of repellent.

Look at 2:47, you threw it on its face and did not turn it onto its clip until you stepped back out of the vehicle.

If you can't follow the manufacturer's directions you should not be testing gear. You failed as much as they did IMHO.

That said I think these are made for dead calm and would never dream of using one backpacking.

Posted: Oct 17, 2011 Ray Estrella

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Posted: Oct 13, 2011 sdfghyjk

Hey backpacker,
I bow hunt in South GA in lower lying creek area and never have a problem with the Thermacell ever since the first year it came out. It absolutely has to be warmed up for at least 15 minutes to work. Sure you will have some kamakazees here and there. Terrible review on an amazing invention that has allowed me to enter the woods in late August every year.

Posted: Oct 08, 2011 Doug O'Neal

RTFM...
I know fisher and hunter people who use the thermacell in Northern Ontario and BC and swear by it. I also have a plague of mosquitoes where I live...I find a great reduction in bites while tending the garden, grilling, and working in the yard. I trust it enough to protect my daughter out there as well.
It is great when used as a deterrent in a sheltered area.
Also, it would be nice to hear from gear testers who analytically tested gear in real world situations and stepped more than 3 feet away from their car.


Posted: Sep 26, 2011 slimpickin

RTFM...
I know fisher and hunter people who use the thermacell in Northern Ontario and BC and swear by it. I also have a plague of mosquitoes where I live...I find a great reduction in bites while tending the garden, grilling, and working in the yard. I trust it enough to protect my daughter out there as well.
It is great when used as a deterrent in a sheltered area.
Also, it would be nice to hear from gear testers who analytically tested gear in real world situations and stepped more than 3 feet away from their car.


Posted: Sep 26, 2011 slimpickin

I agree with many of the above comments, I own both those devices and granted the OFF one is a POS in my opinion, but I love the termaCELL. I used the OFF once in the Everglades and proceeded to get torn apart through the night very similar to our friendly reviewer, but with the thermaCELL I have used it quite a few times in the glades and been able to sit down and eat my dinner or what not without a shirt on and swat away one or two mosquitoes, but you have to use it as directions state. The box says 10-15min and it means it 10-15min. Of course the second you turn it on its not going to work, especially with mosquitoes in that quantity. Also I find that employing multiple tactics seems to work best, I use a non-deet insecticide spray on my clothing along with the thermaCELL personally. I am curious to try the listerine thing.
Posted: Sep 19, 2011 Mike

Susan....skin so soft from avon has been known for years to prevent the sand gnats and the non biting variety from getting close to you. Google and enjoy!
Posted: Sep 04, 2011 John Dreggors

Hey Chuck,

It worked while in the car, but not out there. In that situation, after 30 minutes of it on, outside, (verified by the test in the car) it didn't work. The wind blows the repellent away, and any exposed side that is not directly in the path of the emmiter gets bit. I used it many times before and it worked, but in this particular situation (the combination of wind, massive mosquito population) it doesn't. The wind blew so hard you can't see the whisps of ephemeral smoke that emit out the grill in the front. They came out when inside the car.
Posted: Aug 30, 2011 Joe Flowers

My thermocell has saved my butt more times than I can count, again to agree with an above comment, you are not using it properly, so in reality, your review is not a fair and accurate representation of the product and you deserved to get bit! LOL
Posted: Aug 22, 2011 Chuck

I will stick to Off. It's has work for years for me.
Posted: Aug 20, 2011 Denny

If you are ever, ever up for doing another test run with non-DEET products...

Try good old standard sheep dip from your local farm supply store for your clothing and, I kid you not, original flavor Listerine to spritz or rub on your skin.

My husband and I hiked part of the NCT in the Chequamegon National Forest this summer and we were being eaten alive and running low on our DEET bug repellents. We stopped for lunch beside a river and a local kayaking through gave us those tips and some of their supply. Now, we don't go on a hike, and I won't tend my garden, without spritzing on Listerine.

I know, weird, but give it a whirl. Spend a buck at the dollar store and try it yourself.
Posted: Aug 19, 2011 Nikki Stai

Hey guys, you can't see the smoke on the video, but trust me, it was there. It was so windy that it didn't send the long ribbons of smoke up. On the belt, it is very simple. It didn't keep my feet from getting bit fast enough. Do note that it did work when in side the jeep (no wind situation). The test itself was a failure, not the gear. In a normal situation without wind, it worked well.

Posted: Aug 16, 2011 Joe Flowers

Why was my comment removed?
Posted: Aug 16, 2011 Josh S

I can't stop iching! Just watching was a torment.
Posted: Aug 16, 2011 Roland

When I use my ThermaCELL, it smokes a little bit. And I let it sit for a little while like the instructions say. I'm not sure if yours was actually on! When I have a ThermaCELL with me, I literally don't get bit once.
Can you try the test again after your ThermaCELL heats up (10-15 minutes, like the box states). I think that would be a fair test! And I'd be willing to bet that you don't get bit.
Thanks.

Posted: Aug 16, 2011 Josh S

While mosqito bites rarely make me itch, bee stings and spider bites (at least, I think it was a spider) really do. But they're not my concern. The bugs that REALLY bug me are the gnats that swarm as soon as the weather turns warm in Shenandoah Natl. Park. These buggers don't bite, just buzz around my face and in my ears, and fly up my nose. I've used both Deet and non-Deet repelants and more smacks at them (and my own head) than I can count, and nothin' keeps 'em away (Are they attracted by human sweat??). I've been told that the only repellant that will work is a geeky net hat (apologies to those who like these hats...). Anybody got other suggestions/info??

Thannks!
Posted: Aug 16, 2011 Susan Neill

It's apparent both repellants need to be used in no-wind situations only.
Posted: Aug 16, 2011 Connie

I think Jeep is the unofficial insect repellent winner.
Posted: Aug 16, 2011 Kyle

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