Gotta Love this product: After hours of research, I finally settled on this company, this technology, and at this price, and here's why: First, "It works as advertised": The 3,000 V is more than adequate to kill any tiny bugs, which might be small enough to escape between the grids. (I failed to test it on that other larger pests that were bugging me, that weighed in at 150 LBS. But I suspect it might be harmful! to them.) My tests in the past few weeks were mainly for fruit flies, which were more bothersome than you'd think. Buy and ripen bananas often, and you'll generally get a science project, eventually. Don't thoroughly grind up the peels, and in a few days or so, you could collect enough to start a genetics breeding experiment to use for a school project. The 1/2" deep tray is likely enough for roughly 1,000,000 fruit fly corpses. Bulbs and running costs of ownership: I don't intend on buying another one for many years, unless I find the need for two. I don't want to worry about changing out bulbs that will burn out. So, the 10 year lifespan, even if I leave it on 24 x 7 most of the time, became a requirement. Also, since the other models are burning out LEDs that should last virtually forever, tells me that the reason must be heat. That much heat, mans I'm paying for the hour/day to both heat the air, and then paying once again (25%) to cool it. Do the math as their website suggests, and that boosts the costs of their competitors considerably, not counting the costs of constantly replacing the bulbs every month or so. UV bulbs, and why ONLY this model works the best: I didn't intend on using any tube type UV lighted zappers. I bought one years ago, and regretted when it lasted less than a year, and even then a replacement bulb was going to cost +$18. I tossed it out at a $60 loss. These bulbs are unique, in that they not only use much less electricity, run cool, last nearly forever, (OK, still, +10 years), but they are bright and have two colors, instead of just one. Since I threw out most of my posters and dayglo shirts from the 1970's, I can't vouch for the appeal of the different colored UV lights to attract more of our uninvited house guests (that I'm trying to kill). But, appealing to their finer tastes with two colors can't hurt (us). Buying a "waterproof" zapper? Really? This product is not waterproof, but then if you plan on putting a 3,000-7,000 volt appliance of any kind in the rain, I don't care if it is waterproof or not, you should find a way to keep water away, and don't touch anything, until and unless you unplug the power plug if it gets wet. Apparent brightness and noise level: Anyone that says this is "dim", "IS DIM"!! In fact, it is very bright. Do the math and it is apparent that THREE ~ 10" bulbs can be brighter than one vertical bulb. Also, BOTH sides are equally shining, front and back. We first used this while sleeping, and it is not conducive to sleep. First, it is very very bright in a dark room. Second, zapping any bug is very noisy even from 30 feet away. Growing up with B-52's taking off and landing from 1,500 feet above taught me that the noise can be ignored, eventually. OTOH, sleeping with bugs that are bugging you might lead you to enjoy the satisfaction that comes from hearing yet another irritant biting the dust, I know I did. The lights likely do work better at night, but I can also ensure you that it also works to attract bugs in a fully lighted kitchen. At night, you can have lost of fun discovering which kitchen items and clothing are highly or slightly fluorescent. Metal chain -- Caution, or replace with "plastic wire": IT does come with a metal chain. Be very careful or don't use it, if you think you are going to turn it on the side, since the chain could enter the first grid, and connect with the +3.000 volt grid. I can't opine of the safety, or lack thereof, for the relative safety of the power supply. But, I do know that from personal experience replacing magnetrons in microwave ovens, those 4-5,000 volt power suppiies kill many unsuspecting amatuer DIY folks., since they are also high power (amps). Also, microwave ovens keep their charge after unplugged. So, if you open ANY of these bug zappers, be aware that there can be high power components, depending on who designed them. Ensure you ground ANY high voltage power supply, before working on the insides. (Microwaves can still be deadly though, while trying to ground them.) Power Switch: But don't rely on it for working on the insides: This model does have a power switch on the front, so unlike most other models, you can turn it off and still leave it plugged in. (Still do NOT use this switch as the "safe way" to replace bulbs, open the cover, or "sweep the power grid" with the brush supplied.) The power plug is "polarized", which shows that the design is that one (larger) side is "hot". YMMV though, depending on who wired your house, or whose extension cord you are using. With improper house wiring, it is possible that this metal chassis (or ANY appliance like this) has a "hot" chassis, even when "turned off". Ripeness Alarm! (New Feature Discovered) I've you've ever come back from the store, put everything away, and then four days later, this thing starts "singing", with the more frequent percussion of bug death, you might have a problem. See that paper bag you left on the counter?? It has RIPE fruit inside. Along for the ride, was your new fruit fly science project. This alerts you that you likely should seek out that bag, before that fruit is any riper. Fraud Detector! (Yeah, yet another feature I discovered!) Ever have your friends over for poker night, only to find that you supposed "friends" want to stiff you, even though you won and do expect to be paid? Only tonight when writing that check of passing those $20 or $100 bills, you later find that they were FAKE?? Yup. It happens, and when it does, do so when you are using this to light the table so you can easily tell if those bills are real or fake. The security stripe on the side is clearly readable, and some foreign currency will shine even brighter. Those "safety checks" only say "void" to prevent you from copying and using that check every week. Ok, so what do I do when someone is passing me a fake?? Simply take the handy chain, and ask them to carefully drop one end through the grate. Best also to order more garbage bags now, so you can remove the fraudster over time. Finally, I DO highly recommend this, obviously. My plan is to leave this plugged in 24 x 7, since Florida most always has new "surprise guests" arriving at all times of the day or night.
