Most Liked Positive Review

Simple,no mess, effective design

THERMACELL BACKPACKER 9/26/2016 As a somewhat devout ultra lightweight backpacker (I used to be devout), I was a bit skeptical about adding another half a pound to my pack and takin...g up the additional space that the Backpacker (in its minimal state with its own fuel source) and a small canister would occupy. However, being adaptive by nature and as a result of 38 years of military and 50 years of mountain experience, and 25 years of field research, here is what I have found thus far. Initially, I found the packaging to be very adequate, it was clearly marked, labeled and attractive-the product was also well protected and comes complete with a very nice storage bag. I found the instructions to be simple and clear, although some people might need an illustration about how and where to place the mat? Concerning the Mat, it might be worth mention whether or not you can leave the mat in its hold on the backpacker…my question is, will the Mat before its used up, dry out between uses if left exposed? So, I leave my Mat in Place and cover everything with a zip-lock bag. Run time for the various canisters is on the box but not in the instructions… Upon initial inspection, I found the Backpacker to be very well built and very easy to operate. In this regard it is much safer to use than similar backpacking stoves- I recommend however, that when twisting on a canister that it is done with "Any" appliance and canister in a vertical position, as some fuel canisters will release quickly fuel into the atmosphere at the moment of connection. Note: my experience with this occurring may be isolated, but I have had it happen several times… I found the Piezo igniter works very well especially if you follow the instructions…I bring this up because it is important to wait five seconds to allow enough fuel to build up to gain ignition, I find this to be especially true at higher elevations and/or colder temperatures when using Piezo igniters…which by the way can be very finicky- So a small bic lighter can be very much your friend. In Use/Out There As luck would have it right after the O.R. show, Utah had a very unusual span of very cold weather eliminating the mosquitoes from our high country where I usually test gear…so I had to go mosquito hunting. My first experience with the Backpacker and mosquitoes came from an astronomy outing on the causeway to Stansbury Island west of Salt Lake City. It is very marshy and Boggy is also a salt flat and it is usually Bug Central. While on the causeway gnats and mosquitoes routinely were working me over while I was getting my scope set up and then during its use… there weren't swarms of bugs, but there were enough to be very annoying. So I set up and started the backpacker and within a few minutes the bugs had left… While on the causeway a mild breeze was coming and going too, so I turned off the Thermacell to see if the light breeze was moving them away or not? I performed this test several times and each time the bugs returned. I also noted that moths don't seem to like the repellent either… they wouldn't completely disappear, but they kept their distance. Eventually I did have one mosquito that penetrated the envelope, lit on my cheek and tried to drill me, however he met his fate… In the end, the Backpacker helped me have a decent and fun time while out doing astronomy in a place that has enough bugs for anyone. I also took the backpacker along on several car camping trips thru early September and found that common flies would leave once the backpacker was started as would moths, gnats and other mayfly type bugs, including several mosquitoes. However, hornets would not pay any attention to the repellent as they gathered food from plants within the envelope, even if they came within inches of the device… More recently, with the onset of winter coming to the "high country," I have been on several backpacking trips into Utah's High Uinta's. Interestingly the temperatures and weather have been all over the place. Several weeks ago near 10,000' it got down to the high 20's at night and the bugs all but disappeared…Two weeks ago in the same area, day time temps reached the high seventies and late night time temps were in the low fifties and the bugs were lovin life. On this particular trip to the Mt. Watson region, I had reluctantly brought the backpacker, now I'm glad I did! As I was setting up my Bright red tent in what would be a wet grassy area in the springtime, I started noticing more and more Gnats clinging to the walls. Then I noticed even more gnats clinging to some bright orange ditty bags lying on the ground, and finally a few mosquitoes were hovering around looking for an opportunity. So I pulled out the Backpacker, attached a fuel canister and after several tries it was warming the repellent. I placed the unit on a rock about 10' away from the tent and within several minutes all the bugs, moths included were gone…Note: there was no breeze, just still, warm, wonderful high mountain air! Long ago when I was a devout ultra light backpacker, I was on a backpacking trip to the Wind River Range in central Wyoming… While purifying several gallons of water, I was being attacked and drained by so many mosquitoes that a bug net would have been very welcome. My friends took turns slapping mosquitoes from me and themselves…the mosquito situation really turned that trip upside down. I have had other similar epics in the Uinta's with my son and friends, enduring bugs while trying to simply cook and eat dinner. My experience with the run of the mill repellent is- it's messy, stinky and much of it doesn't work anyway, and I don't want it on me, my clothes or my sleeping bag! Worse yet, some products odor won't come clean even with several washings either. I believe Thermacell would have turned these trips around and made them much more enjoyable. After all, mosquitoes etc. will always be part of nature! BENEFITS Thermacell seems nearly odorless. Yes there is an odor and you can smell its pleasant fragrance if you get close to the appliance… Thermacell and its repellent are not messy what so ever…its size and weight are actually miniscule especially compared to the simplicity and end result! Overall, I Can't think of a downside to the Thermacell Backpacker. Steve, this isn't a whole bunch of feedback, but I am very satisfied with the results thus far, I hope it helps you with your process! Sincerely, Layne T. Oliver