pros:
saves you in energy bills since it can cool the room instead of using the ac
filters are washable
the included remote gives you controls even in bed
the 30 min interval timer feature is great specially when it gets too cold at night
cons:
the ionizer feature is more of a display light than anything
needs a weekly maintenance. water mineral builds up at the bottom, if you let it sit for more than a week, taking it out posts a problem.
if you even find the time to actually clean the insides of the fan and and take out the dusts and water deposits, it would take a lot of patients since the machine wasn't designed for easy disassemble. (you'll need a thin long screw driver to take out some of the screws.)
bottom line:
machine is great as an alternative humidifier and room fan. It is a high maintenance machine make sure you clean it every week or two.
The air conditioning in my building has not been working, so it has been about 80-85 degrees in our cubicles. With this product, I am actually able to be comfortable. It was very easy to set up and get going and the water lasts a long time between fill ups. I do add ice to the top for more cooling. Three people have bought one since they have seen mine, and others stop by to cool off. I shopped around, and this cooler was about the best price and, as I said in the title, it is also kind of "retro" and cute, as well as functional.
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This unit has been perfect for my intended use.
My co-workers prefer to keep our office building a bit warmer than I am comfortable. I have set the Unistar Swamp Cooler in the door of my office, and it effectively keeps my office several degrees cooler than it would otherwise be. I wasn't sure when I bought it whether it would work in a humid region, and have been very happy that it does. Nor does it make the environment uncomfortable humid. I assume that if the primary central A/C went out, this thing wouldn't do much of anything, though, in South Carolina.
Also, the manual is a joy to read. Honestly, I've read it cover to cover at least three times. It is an excellent and humorous example of non-native translation. Example: "Attention: Any parts of the control panel should be forbidden to be stained with water." Well, it amuses me, anyhow. . .
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UPDATED 1 September 2011
I've had this swamp cooler for 2.5 years now. I use it every business day. It still performs well. As for maintenance, I had to take it apart to clean it after about a year and a half, and just today had to give it its second cleaning. It takes about twenty minutes to take apart, clean, & put back together -so less than an hour of maintenance time for 2.5 years (in addition to occasionally wiping down the ice basin & rinsing the filter). It's made out of plastic which I would imagine will only stand up to two or three more overhauls, but it's not cheaply made to the extent that it should lose a star. This thing is really a champ.
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This is a great fan, nice looking, quiet and effective. I use it in my garage apartment and provides a nice comfort level. It is easy to operate and fill in with water. 8 gallon tank requires re-fill every other day. It comes with 4 ice packs. I use 2 at a time with the other two in the fridge and replace the ice packs every day. The top of the unit also has a compartment, where I add ice daily. The only thing that could make this fan better looking is to have a choice on the color. White is great, but would be nice to have a choice for the side light green color.
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Bought this unit for a study (warmest room in the house). Very pleased with the item, seems to lower room temp by about 3-5 degrees. Very easy to use. Low noise level.
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Very nice product...perfect for my office that has no outside air circulation or humidity control. Was missing a small part but the company promptly sent it out at no charge. Thank you!
