V-Flyer

Just been having a chat with one of the sales guys here in the office, turns out we make components for a product that may be of interest to those here.

My Air Zone personal air purifier ioniser. Looks like an interesting idea and product, anyone had any experience of using such devices?

Mat

I've had a similar model for years. I won't fly without it, even short-haul.

I've gotten a lot of cr@p to test and review over the years, but this one was a keeper. Sure, you get stares and comments, but who cares? The device really does make a difference in your health - I don't get sick after commuter flights, which, if one travels in the US, is a rarity for most frequent travelers.

Bought one for my brother, who laughed off my good health post-flights as coincidence until he broke his (a careless size-13 foot, not that it was flimsily-made) and promptly was beset by a cold after flying. Four times. He bought a new one and guess what? No more decongestant and nose spray just to breathe. No more coughing, hacking, and generally feeling like the walking dead upon/after deplaning.

Pricey? Yes. Worth it? YES. Get the car adapter if you have an Empower - for use on flights as well as the rental cars. Makes a difference in smog too. If you have the option of a package deal, the electric/mains adapter is also useful to de-smell a hotel room (and when more planes change to regular power sockets instead of using Empower, you'll be all set).

Edited: After reading the website info, I've decided your company's helping make a better model! The latest Wein throws off too much ozone to make me happy (about 3 ppm under the maximum allowed), and the MyAirZone throws off NO ozone at all. The older Wein model I have (Wein AS1500B) emits much less ozone, and had car/power adapters included for a very good price, so of course they no longer make it... I now have another company to buy from! (Hopefully your own company will decide you're a wonderful salesperson and give you a raise!)

But for the rest who might not be able to buy one from the UK, and decide to go with another brand: watch out for those with pricey non-rechargeable batteries if you don't go with the MyAirZone. I have an older 9v battery model from Wein. My battery lasts one return flight, but 9v are reasonable, and easy to find rechargeable batteries/charger for as well.

One non-rechargeable Lithium will last perhaps 2 long-haul returns (at the very most, often less than one), and they are not cheap. Wein's website states longer life (60 hours), but my brother's own experience has shown this to be somewhat wishful. The battery cost will be steep if you fly often, and like Bose headphones, the unit won't work at all if the battery is dead. You could try to find a separate Lithium recharger set, but that will add to your cabin-bag weight. They're also pricey, at least $100. on top of the cost of the unit itself (in the US, anyway).

Buy one of these ion emitters any way you can, though - who wants to spend the first 3 days on holiday (or in meetings) so sick you wish you'd just stayed home?