Great for allergy sufferers!
Written: Jun 13 '04
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Pros: Blissfully silent! Effective at scrubbing allergens from the air. Easy cleaning. No filters to buy.
Cons: So far none that I can think of.
The Bottom Line: With a money back guarantee, you have nothing to lose by trying it (perhaps just shipping). Buy a reconditioned unit since its warranty is as good as new units.
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| softshellcrab's Full Review: Sharper Image Ionic Breeze GP SI730 Air Purifier |
I've had my Ionic Breeze GP for about a week now and it has made a tremendous difference in my allergies. My allergies are to pollens, especially ragweed, plus dust and animal dander. Though I have no pets and use a filtered window screen, I generally have to take an antihistamine almost daily, especially from spring to late fall. Even in the dead of winter my allergies sometimes bother me. After the first night with the Ionic Breeze, I noticed a big difference. I woke up breathing freely and did not have to take an antihistamine that morning. Ok, so I thought maybe it was just a good day for allergy sufferers. But the second day, same thing. Woke up breathing freely and did not have to take a pill. I also found my eyes didn't itch any more.
Three days after I got the Ionic Breeze, I also bought a Dyson Animal vacuum with HEPA filtration, and my allergies (at least indoor) have cleared up almost entirely now. It's been absolutely amazing. Admittedly, my allergies are at their worst from mid-August to October when ragweed is a problem, but I'm confident the Ionic Breeze (and new vacuum) will make a big difference even then. They've already had a large impact now.
About the ozone... When I first turned the machine on, I did notice the faint ozone odor. The smell was mildly annoying. But it wasn't so bad that I had to move the machine further away from where I was sitting or sleeping. I had it about 6-7 feet away from me. And by the second or third day, I didn't even notice it any more. So it's a non-issue to me.
What about the health concerns? First of all, the Ionic Breeze just emits trace amounts of ozone. Only those with a known sensitivity to ozone or perhaps those with asthma or bronchial problems may need to worry. I have moderate to severe allergies, which only affect my upper respiratory system and eyes, and the Ionic Breeze has HELPED me to breathe easier. I have no coughing or dry throat from the ozone. I think reactions to ozone will be on an individual basis, and the only thing I can say is you should try the Ionic Breeze for yourself as there is a 30-60 day money back guarantee. (I think it's 30 days for the reconditioned units and 60 days for new units.) So if the ozone bothers you, simply return the thing.
Reconditioned units... I bought mine for $149 (plus tax and shipping which brought it to $180) as a "Less than new, reconditioned unit" directly on the Sharper Image Outlet site. It worked perfectly and silently right out of the box. It is a light gray model and the outside of the unit looked pristine and brand new, as did the stainless steel collection grid. I noticed they have raised the price of these less-than-new reconditioned units to $200 now, but even at that price it's a good deal. Also, you can try getting it cheaper on eBay as Sharper Image sells them directly there. The reconditioned unit comes with a 5-year warranty (same as the brand new units), so I would definitely go this route if you are interested in getting one.
Cleaning tip... I cleaned the grid today and it was a cinch. I recommend using rubbing alcohol as it does an excellent job cleaning the blades and dries almost instantly. Even so, I just waited about an hour before putting the grid back in and turning on the machine just to be absolutely sure the grid was bone dry. Just take a paper towel, fold it in quarters, dampen it a little with the alcohol and slide it along the blades. Refold the paper towel as you go along to maintain a clean wiping surface.
Germicidal Protection...So far I have only run the Ionic Breeze on medium with the GP function turned off. I just don't see the need for it -- yet -- but it's nice to know it's there. I decided to buy the GP version as it supposedly has a larger collection surface area than the Quadra, and hence greater cleaning efficiency. Also, it was just so cheap. I can't even recall if the reconditioned Quadras were any cheaper at the time I ordered.
Cool breeze...A nice little side benefit is the small breeze the unit emits. This certainly can't replace a real fan or air conditioner, but the breeze is enough to cool you a tiny bit on a warm day, as long as you don't place it too far away. I have mine about 6 feet away from the sofa or bed. It's actually very pleasant.
Bottom line is that I'm really happy with it for how well it's helped alleviate my allergies. If you are an allergy sufferer, I recommend you try it too.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 149
Battery Life: N/A
Noise Level: Almost noiseless
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Epinions.com ID:
softshellcrab
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Reviews written: 1
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