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Packtite Closet vs Original vs Thermalstrike
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rc73
newbite
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jan 6 2012 18:31:56
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I'm trying to decide between the Packtite Closet or the Packtite Original or the Thermalstrike Expedition. I need one of these for preventative measures as me and my wife travel a lot.
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oldtimer
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jan 6 2012 18:40:49
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Hi,
I actually have all three but am not allowed to talk about my experiences with one of them.
However I would say the decision it's dependant on the size of your luggage rather than anything else. If you bags will fit in the original go with that. If your luggage is large go with the closet.
I tend to use my original for field work only now and the closets are running away with an experiment as we speak.
Hope that helps.
David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited -
theyareoutthere
oldtimer
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jan 6 2012 22:48:37
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I use the Packtite Closet (never had the original). You'll probably find that you use it more than when just traveling if you get one. I use it every day now. It's easy and fast.
You might want to read up about the different types of heat. My background isn't science so I just read the information but couldn't explain it well.
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oldtimer
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jan 6 2012 22:56:58
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This is a good thread for explanations of conductive versus convective heating:
http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/resistant-to-heat
David
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btaggart
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Posted 1 year ago
Sat Jan 7 2012 1:26:51
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For our clients we recomend the thermalstrike. It works and is cost effective. Im not saying packtite isnt a great product because it is.
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rc73
newbite
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Posted 1 year ago
Sat Jan 7 2012 13:56:15
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Thanks for all the answers so far. This site is really helpful. So the Packtite Closet seems to use convective heat, is that right? Whereas the Packtite Original and the Thermalstrike use conductive heat?
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oldtimer
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Posted 1 year ago
Sat Jan 7 2012 14:16:43
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Hi,
No.
The PackTite (both models) uses convective heat while the heating panel arrangement of the Thermal strike is conductive.
David
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rc73
newbite
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Posted 1 year ago
Mon Jan 9 2012 0:13:21
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Thanks David. Is the washable exterior cover on the Packtite Closet small enough to put in a regular sized washer and dryer?
Also, and this may be a bit paranoid, is it possible for the external heater/blower combo to get contaminated? There would be no way to treat it if it did.
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your host
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Posted 1 year ago
Mon Jan 9 2012 0:34:44
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rc73 - 11 minutes ago »
Thanks David. Is the washable exterior cover on the Packtite Closet small enough to put in a regular sized washer and dryer?
Also, and this may be a bit paranoid, is it possible for the external heater/blower combo to get contaminated? There would be no way to treat it if it did.Hi rc73,
The best person to answer this is David James, the inventor/seller of the Packtite.
I'm not sure the Packtite Closet cover is designed to go in a washer or dryer. It is actually insulated. You can find the Packtite Closet directions on this US Bed Bugs product page.
On the other hand, David does talk about putting the cover of the Packtite (original) in the dryer, to make sure it is bed bug free (for example, before storage, after using in an infested location, etc.) and I note that the original Packtite model instructions on the US Bed Bugs site don't mention the dryer option, though we have heard it from David himself.
I would want to check with him before you try to put the Closet cover in a washer or dryer.
(Note: I will alert David James to this post so he can weigh in.)
Disclosure: if you shop at US Bed Bugs via the affiliate links on this site, including those above, the site receives a small commission to help with running costs, at no additional cost to you. (You can read a longer disclosure statement here).
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theyareoutthere
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Posted 1 year ago
Mon Jan 9 2012 3:02:30
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Hi,
I agree about contacting David James. This is just a comment a very unhandy user.
The packtite closet cover is too big for my dryer, but I have a small dryer that I don't quite trust to heat that high. It looks like it would fit in a commercial dryer just fine.
You can ask David James about this, but I just vacuum mine with the hose (with knee highs on the attachment to catch anything). I'm pretty sure you never wash it in a washer.
Again, ask David about this, but part of my decision to get the closet vs. original was based on some kind of random facts. I really like having the white interior and a light exterior. I like that it is fast and that i can hang coats (long ones are partly on the bottom). But, when I bought it, I liked the idea of a more external heater so that "touching" was not an issue. What I didn't know is that if the heater ever breaks after the warranty period, you can go to Harbor Freight. I checked it out and the blower is about $50-$60 and the heating unit is $20. So, you don't have to wait to buy a new one. I had an issue with the $20.00 heater within the warranty period and I could just run out that day and get the part. David James offered to send me one, or to reimburse me. I spoke to the guys at Harbor Freight and they said the heater ($20) may need to be replaced once a year as much as I use it. The expensive part seems to be the Closet itself. It's cool to see it expand with hot air.
It gets really hot so I think the only time you would risk BBs in it would be when it's sitting around. You could maybe put it in a Ziploc once it's cooled if you'll only use it here and there.
Hope it helps.
Taot
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killdienow
junior member
Joined: Jan '12
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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Feb 29 2012 20:34:06
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any word on the thermal strike? the price point really seems a lot better.
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bed-bugscouk - 1 month ago »
Hi,
No.
The PackTite (both models) uses convective heat while the heating panel arrangement of the Thermal strike is conductive.
DavidFirst law of convection is that it cannot exist within a solid object. So, every suitcase, blanket or other object that is placed within a heat treatment system where the insect resides within the item is by definition being treated through conduction. The study referred to above was useful in commercial home heating applications and has little to do with contained heat treatment systems.
Technically speaking, the panels inside a ThermalStrike unit primarily emit infrared heat which have long since been used to treat insects in the agriculture industry.
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Sorry, I forgot to add my disclaimer to the above:
I am the manufacturer of ThermalStrike Expedition and ThermalStrike Commuter Heat Treatment Systems
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oldtimer
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Posted 1 year ago
Mon Mar 5 2012 17:35:35
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Are you ready for us to test the newer model then?
David
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Hi David,
We're getting ready to run independent tests this month at one of the leading universities. It would be great to have two credible sources verifying the integrity. I value your opinion and implemented some of your recommendations to the design a year ago.Taking this discussion offline.
Disclaimer: Manufacturer of ThermalStrike
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bugdefcon
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Posted 1 year ago
Mon Mar 5 2012 18:55:26
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killdienow - 4 days ago »
any word on the thermal strike? the price point really seems a lot better.I built my own for next to nothing mostly using stuff I found around the house. I gathered all the parts to build a uber huge one but this one has been working so well that I haven't bothered. I use it constantly. I bought a bunch of new coats a couple of days ago and ran them through. Can't be too safe. It gets used at least every other day. I even run the stuff through it I buy online. I ran my new Panasonic LX5 camera through it yesterday before I even popped open the shipping box.
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