A "better" Thermacell?

[DTro]

I've seen the new Off version in the stores, and thought they had a great idea with the candle, but hadn't had a chance to use one until the other night.

Basically, it's the same principle as the Thermacell, except it uses a lantern housing and a small tealight candle to supply the heat to the pad.

Here is what I can think are the pros.

~Initial cost of unit itself is less expensive

~You can find a small candle anywhere and they are uber cheap

~The candle provides a little nighttime glow in the catboat

~The warm up time is much quicker (compared to the butane) for when the bugs just appear out of nowhere and you want to get rid of them fast.

The only real con I can imagine is that the candle could be prone to blowing out if it's super windy, and you always have the fire hazzard of a semi open flame.

It's nice to have another option though for sure.

[Larry FlatCaster]

They have the lantern with out the flame... a little battery operated light. We were using one on the fourth... its a nice little light and works as good as a thermacell.

[SteveD]

I've used the OFF lantern and the problem with it is that it attracts other bugs. I would set it on the table on the pontoon and the table would get covered with these little gnats that were attracted to the light and then died. It kept the mosquitoes away pretty effectively though and it is cheaper to run in the long run.

When I fish out of my fishing boat I would set the OFF lantern on the stern and it would provide enough light to see the rod tips. That was kind of nice.

[DTro]

Totally forgot about the light factor attracting other bugs. Good point Steve

[ec30_06]

If it is that windy the bugs usually are not bad anyway

[Scott K]

The gnats and baby mayflies were way worse then the mosquitos last night.