Transcool portable air cooler

I can't report first hand, but it was refreshing to see the frank disclosures on their website...especially the FAQ page, where they state very clearly what it will and won't do. To be precise, they say it is a 'personal spot cooler'...you have to be sitting right in front of it to get any benefit ("Will the Transcool portable air cooler cool my room or vehicle like a built in air conditioner? Quite simply – No!).
So, on the makers advice, it seems you couldn't expect any noticeable benefit in the van as a living space.

Well being a bit of a bunny I bought one at the recent show, haven't tried it yet but it's going to be 37 here today so i'm going to give it a try later on today, can't get into the camper atm so will sit in front of it in the lounge room and will report back.

I think a 12V fan and a spray bottle would probably work just as well and a hell of a lot cheaper that the asking price of $299.00.

First thing to appreciate is this is just a plastic container with some wicking material and a fan which blows through it, so don't expect miracles, all it does is blow slightly moist air over you,
Initial impression is that it is quite loud, louder than i expected,on lowest setting sound level is acceptable but you need to turn it up about half way to feel a significant change and then it is quite loud.
Well have given it its first run. Temp inside is 32.5 so we put it on the kitchen bench while preparing lunch , wife said the cool breeze was ok. Sat it on the table while we ate and it took the edge off the heat, the temp dropped to 29.8 and didn't go any lower.
Decided to take it outside 39 degrees, too warm for me to want to stay there but turned the unit on and up and was able to feel comfortable enough to sit and read.
Next step was to wet a tshirt and sit in front of it , lovely and cool.
Then i thought why not just buy a cheap fan and sit there in your wet tshirt, would probably have the same effect and a lot cheaper!
If you have the space a misting fan might be cheaper and more effective.
Tomorrow the forecast is for more of the same so i will be adding ice cubes to the container to see if it has any effect.

Hi,
I have been using one for about 4 years and love it. I think it was about $150 when I bought it at the Caulfield Race Track camping show. I had walked into a camper trailer to have a look on a 35C day and it was like walking into heaven. I went and bought one straight away (not the camper) and have used it in Oztents and in the camper van we bought a couple of years ago. Great at night when trying to get off to sleep, better than lying in bed in a wet shirt. ;) $300 is a bit of a mark up on what I paid, but I would still spend the cash if I were you as it hasn't missed a beat.
Marty

Well today room temp was 31 and after adding a dozen ice cubes it dropped the temp to 28.3, so there was some effect.
As to value well this is subjective but someone mentioned above that when they bought one some years ago they paid $150 which I think is probably nearer the mark. You can get a discount if you buy from him at one of the many shows he attends.
Until such time as I use this in the slide-on I can't really comment on its cooling ability should you want to run it while sleeping, it does work quite nicely outdoors and definitely is more effective on bare skin so being naked helps.

This might be a good alternative....

Portable Air Cooler