Most of them don’t come with a battery (the assumption being that you’ve already bought into the brand’s tool system and have multiple backup batteries and chargers), and only the Milwaukee came with an AC adapter. In general, the shop fans are smaller and bulkier. Though I haven’t come to a final conclusion-and I’m still trying to give them a fair shake-they do have their limitations. I was intrigued by comments saying that a shop fan would do the same thing, so I am currently testing a variety of small shop fans from major tool companies- Milwaukee, Ryobi, and DeWalt, and I plan to test Makita as well. Photo: Annemarie Conte Why the Geek Aire is probably better than a shop fan at keeping you cool Some of the shop-fan competition currently in testing. Also, both versions of the fan have fairly delicate power knobs that, if knocked the wrong direction, could break. The battery compartment on the original version used to fly off all the time, an annoying problem that seems to have been rectified with this newer version. That’s not to say there aren’t some flaws (but not dealbreakers). The water-resistant compartment for the lithium-ion battery prevents moisture from infiltrating (the company says it is rated to IPX4, so a splash of water likely won’t affect it). Though it takes about three hours to recharge to full, you can charge the battery while running the fan, which is extremely handy. In my tests, it took about five hours for the battery to die on the highest setting and more than 20 hours on the lowest-there’s an indicator light that shows you how much juice is left. The company says the battery lasts up to 20 hours on a charge, depending on fan speed. This metal-bladed beauty spins 360 degrees, sits in two positions on its legs, and weighs less than 7 pounds. When unplugged, the fan automatically reduces power, to preserve battery life. This fan can change from being whisper-quiet (like the sound of rustling leaves) at its lowest, unplugged level to maxing out at a volume akin to birds calling, at its highest, plugged-in level. Its variable speed-control dial allows me to go from light breeze to gale-force winds in seconds. I plug it in when I’m using it inside, and I keep it unplugged to blow its glorious breezes when using it outside (no cords to trip over!). The easy-carry handle allows me to pick it up while it’s still running and bring it from room to room and from indoors to outdoors, as well as on camping trips and to outdoor gatherings in the heart of summer. I have since purchased a 12-inch metal-body version. The original fan I bought cost $120, which seemed exorbitant at the time, but it quickly proved its worth. The fan I originally bought, a 12-inch version with a plastic body, now appears to come only in a misting version (fun, but it’s not ideal for the indoor/outdoor flexibility I craved, and it’s downright annoying for us glasses-wearers). On an especially hot day, Buddy, my dog, has no qualms about sidling up and directly blocking me from my beloved fan. But if I need it, it’s mine-though they are welcome to sit in my cool-breeze zone (the fan doesn’t oscillate, so it’s just a direct line of gentle wind). If I’m not using my fan, others may enjoy its delightful gusts. Get your own fan.” This is the one thing I’ve bought for myself with truly clear ground rules-unlike my sun hat, beach chair, and every tube of lip balm I’ve ever owned, all of which instantly became my family’s property the minute the box landed on the front porch. It arrived two days later, and the first thing I said to my kids was, “My fan. So when a friend showed me her Geek Aire Fan, a portable, rechargeable, battery-powered wind machine, I ordered one for myself immediately.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |