Flextail Gear TINY and MAX Repel Battery Operated Bug Repellent - Do they work?

[@terryw.milburn8565]

Great Items A Must ! Thanks For The Links & Your Demo On These Items Mark ! ATB T God Bless

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting Terry

[@a.w.thompson4001]

Thanks for the useful comparison, Mark. And we enjoyed your closing sentence. 🌱

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for commenting

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

I have a twelve volt essential oil diffuser that uses what looks like the same half size pads that the Flextail Gear models use. They work the same way as these repellers By mixing and applying a homemade solution of water and Pyrethrin or Permethrin to the pads I should be able to plug the unit into a portable power station that has the twelve volt power outlet for a simple skeeter repeller for car camp outdoor use. My essential oil diffuser unit is branded by Aura Cacia.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I was not aware of the essential oil diffuser but I did get an inexpensive USB plug in devices that should work the same way. If I can get it to work well enough I will make a video of it. Thanks for commenting Lonnie

[@DaveCollierCamping]

Very interesting! Bugs and humidity --hello from Virginia USA.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Hello there! Thanks for commenting

[@DaveCollierCamping]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft my pleasure

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

As always, a great product review video. Thumbs up. I am a recent convert to Thermacells due to finding a used one in a thrift store. When i went to buy the refills I was quite disapointed in the costs involved. However as you said, I also discovered that you can not only refill the butane cartridges after a hack but You can also "refill" or reuse old pads. The pads can be soaked in a water and Pyrethrin or Permethrin solution. The actual chemical that Thermacell uses in the pads is Allethrin, which is a synthetic relative to the fore mentioned chemicals. I liked one idea of carrying the mixed solution with you and spray or eye dropper the solution on to a pad when needed as needed. I have only had my new-to-me Thermacell out with me once so far so am still using the OEM supplies so have not outfitted for or tried the DIY supplies yet to verify the effectiveness. Several reports say that the recycled pads work excellent.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Hi Lonnie. I will likely experiment with the butane cartridges and repellant pads myself, just to see if I can make it work. I wish we could get the full strength permethrin here is Canada but we are limited to about half-strength. Thanks for commenting

[@davidtiner4094]

Hello Brother Mark. I've been subscribed since your early videos when you showed Bush craft skills like making fires. One item that was frequently used is birch bark. I live in South Texas on the coastal plains where we have oak and mesquite. No birch at all. Well for the last 2 months I've been traveling in our travel trailer in Canada and Alaska and behold, I found birch trees. Today I tried out birch bark and it's every thing you said it would be. Thank you for sharing your bush craft skills. I look forward to seeing you showing more. Blessings, David.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Hi David. Thank you for being a long term subscriber. I really need to get back to more basic skills and this is a good poke.

[@davidtiner4094]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft Mark, I did read several of the comments before I made mine and they were a bit rude. I wasn't trying to chide you at all. I really am glad to have you teach this old man some new tricks. Thanks for the videos you do. I'll keep on watching them.

[@northwind9505]

Great review. Field tested and working. Love the light one. I would use it inside my tent for a little bit just to tell the bug "NO trust passing". Lol.

[@AtomicBleach]

If I'm car camping I have a little rechargeable that I hang up for about an hour inside my tent to get any stragglers that may have gotten in earlier.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@yakoobjunior9631]

Mate, your product reviews are both clear and unbiased. And, without hesitation, I smashed the subscribe button too. BTW, this vid convinced me to place an order on the Flextail Gear Tiny Repel. Thanks and cheers 👍🏼👍🏼

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Much appreciated! Thanks for commenting

[@Max_Helbing]

Thanks for your honest opinion on the product Mark!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Most welcome. Thanks for commenting

[@mikevandebunt811]

Thermacell makes a unit called the Backpacker that attaches to a camp stove iso butane can (Lindal valve) for lower cost operation. I was considering replacing my original version with one of those. After watching your review, I checked and discovered Amazon had a Prime Day special price for the Max (both of your links go to the Mini, by the way). So I'm switching to that, instead. Thanks for the review.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I am looking into that now. Thanks for commenting

[@ct777777]

Thank you Mark. I do appreciate your quality info ( I bought the Canadian army tech jacket you reviewed on another video). Game changer. I just ordered the Flextail based on your review. Advice coming from a Maritime guy , I totally trust you bro ( I am in Montreal) Keep them coming.👍

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad you are finding the videos helpful. I will be doing a more comprehensive review of these products and few comparable ones when the bugs start up. Hope that will be a while from now😅. Thanks for commenting

[@ah4furnishings348]

Nice review and detailed explanation of uses for these bug chasers!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for commenting

[@NewHampshireJack]

Thank you big time for this review. I am amazed at how few mosquitoes prowl our Philippine subdivision but we are not in a jungle environment. Apparently, the local bat population takes care of the issue most of the year. When skeeters do emerge, great caution is mandatory. Some strains of our bugs carry bad things like malaria and dengue fever. The local government might declare an area dengue-free as they did where we live. Surprise, a young lad one street over from us contracted dengue fever and he had not traveled any further than between his home and school. No way he was infected in another town or province. Your excellent review will certainly help us pick the best products to protect and defend against a dangerous infection.

[@eyeofthetiger4184]

G'day mate, sorry about the lad, but great comment. We have a mozzie transmitted thing called Ross River Fever here, my mate's sister got it, and it was very nasty, though I believe different folks cop it more violently than others, much like cvid. In any case, ....... why risk it. Cheers Duke.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Very unfortunate. We have the occasional West Nile virus transmitted by mosquitos but it is rare. Most of our bats were killed off by a virus some years ago and are only now returning. Stay safe

[@derekchant8027]

Great review, Mark. I have one and the lady and I are taking a trip to Vietnam in a few weeks. It’ll be a sure trial by fire to see if it’s effective. If so, it’ll be handy early in golf season on the courses in NS.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Let me know how it works out for you. I plan on making a follow-up video. Thanks for commenting

[@thedriftingspore]

Very interesting alternative to the thermacell. I like the battery bank/lantern multi functional options too. Very cool. Reminds me to get myself a wing man too. The wish list grows again haha. Thanks for sharing Mark!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Most welcome. Thanks for commenting

[@margueritemitchell1829]

Hello from British Columbia Canada 🇨🇦🖐👍❤🌲🚐🌳🚐🌴🎨🖌🎠🤳🕸🎪👌

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@Flashahol]

Great review, as usual! The biggest 2 problems I see with these is: 1: you can't run it 24/7 (and _do not forget to recharge it) 2: you can't just run to the store and buy more pads. That means it's great for single-day uses when you go back to a shelter where you can recharge it, but the Thermacell is better for being in the woods hours on end without a reliable source of power.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

True. Having said that, they can be plugged into a power bank for longer run times but you would have take that as well. Thanks for commenting

[@kevinmccarthy6718]

Hi Mark. Great review and alternstive. Did you know Thermacell also makes rechargable? I bought mine two years ago and now just buy the repellent cartridges. Thanks

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I did not know that. Will check it out. Thanks for commenting

[@auroraborealisknives4019]

Looks like a convenient bug repellent system

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Much easier and cheaper than the Thermacell. Thanks for commenting Alex

[@brucematys8597]

Perfect timing Mark, I was about to invest in a Thermacell. Now I think I will invest in one of these, probably the Tiny repel. I also like that it has a Lithium Polymer battery pack. Cheers buddy. Ps went to Lee Valley and got the Dragonfly Wingman ( Wow does it ever work) Thanks

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

The Wingman is best I have found so far. Thanks for commenting

[@AtomicBleach]

Haha stayed in a Yurt over the weekend at a state park. So humid, so bitty. My ankles are torn to pieces. Something like this would have been very appreciated. Made the mistake of leaving the thermacell at home...

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Bugs can be really annoying. Thanks for commenting

[@406Adventure]

Hi Mark! Thanks for making this video. Mosquitos are drawn to me, which makes it difficult for me to camp sometimes. I usually wear long sleeve shirts, pants, deet, AND a head net. I am going to try the tiny repel for sure. Do you know if the repellent funtion will work while its being charged? Can you use the lantern and repellent functions at the same time? Thanks brother.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I am planning a more thorough long term review and comparison video once the bugs start to get bad here. Thanks for commenting

[@ScottBaker1]

Ive been getting non stop Flextail tiny ads on IG for months lol. Thanks for doing this review. Skeeters are bad now in NS with all this rain.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

After the dry, hot spring I was getting spoiled with very few blackflies. Lots of skeeters now. Thanks for commenting

[@DrDennis]

Link for Max is the same as the Light. Good item. ❤

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I will check it out. Thanks for commenting

[@patriciaribaric3409]

I've been chased out of the woods with my kids by Deer/horse flies. Once they zero in on you they are relentless. Their bites are painful, and knowing what they might have been sucking on before you is a disgusting thought. I stopped my bike once on a country road and got attacked. I was so exhausted,and I needed rest, but their attack made me find renewed strength to pedal out of there. It's not easy to out run them. Gnats too are annoying. Does that work against swarms of gnats. I had one fly into my eye once. It blinded me and was a chore getting it out. I'll never forget how much it burned.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Have you tried the Dragon Fly Wingman for the deer flies?

[@patriciaribaric3409]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft I don't own one, but if it works against them I'd love to purchase one.

[@MichaelR58]

Good review Mark , thanks for sharing , God bless !

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@21Cabins]

Did you even properly field test these? Many folks say the tiny one at least not heating enough and not working

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I have heard those complaints as well. My plan is to do a more complete test with the Flextail Gear ones as well as the Thermacell units. Only problem is, we have not had that many bugs this year for some reason. I will be going camping for two weeks and plan on taking all of them along to test. I will be making a video. Thanks for commenting

[@larryhamilton8307]

What type or brand of tripod are you using on the tiny repel. It looks smaller than the one that can be ordered from flextail Also will your tripod fit in the storage container that comes with the tiny repel. Thanks, your videos are the most informative

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I see they have a nice looking tripod. Maybe I can get them to send me on. I am using a very cheap no-name one I picked up off Aliexpress. Thanks for commenting

[@eyeofthetiger4184]

G'day Mark, no question in my mind that they're great for car camping. And yes on the trail too, though it is of course another thing to carry. Would be good if the power bank feature was large enough capacity, (say in the 10000 mAh range), to save carrying another one; thus limiting the size/weight overall. Or alternatively, have a model with just the element portion that runs off your usual power bank. In fairness, as is, you do have a "separate" source of juice, (albeit quite miserly), but should get a phone running in case of emergency for example. Hahaha, yep, the sudden absence of critters will be the ultimate indicator of whether its working or not. I wonder if they ward off ticks ? from memory you need at least 50% DEET to have any effect on the little mongrels. Oh yeah, Euro' wasps are a problem here too, ...... thanks Europe : ( ....... they look like a very large bee and are especially attracted to meat, (raw,, cooking or cooked), .... and I believe they will travel many miles for it. Additionally, they actually get drunk on fermenting fruit, either still on the tree or dropped on the ground, ....... in my experience, there's good drunks and bad drunks, ...... these buggers are of the very bad variety, lol. I can tell you, ... you need one hell of a smokey fire to put them off; ....... if one of these units can do so, I will purchase one immediately on that basis alone. Cheers Duke.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Have not heard of Euro-Wasps before. Don't think we have them...yet. Thanks for commenting Duke

[@eyeofthetiger4184]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft Lets hope you dont get them mate, you've got enough annoying flying insects to deal with already ; ) Btw; I assume you realise they are called the "European Wasp" .... we tend to shorten/colloquialise any word when the opportunity presents, and its often difficult to ascertain whether the reader does, if not one of us, get the true message : )

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

@@eyeofthetiger4184 Just checked and yes, they are now in Canada, thank you very much

[@eyeofthetiger4184]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft Oh no, ...... "bugger" pardon the pun, at least you needed to check; Canada is a big place after all. One or two "hovering" around the barby, (grill), aint great, but they usually go away eventually, though I believe they will potentially swarm if you kill one, since they apparently release a pheromone, ..... however in fairness I haven't had that happen in many kills ; ). Btw; they love the ol' flouro tubes in my garage too, lol. Just something to be aware of, depending on the circumstances; if you encounter say a dozen or more all at once , ..... I'd go for a hasty strategic withdrawal to re-assess. They're quite happy nesting in your roof/walls, and need only a few mm diameter as an entry point, like where a not completely filled brick course meets a window frame for example, usually north facing for the warmth in our hemisphere, so first place to look if you get an unusual congregation of them. Also btw; if you do have a "residence" taken up already, the ol' siicone gun to recifiy any of those small gaps you may have, does wonders, because if the troopers cant reach the nest with food, the nest will die as a result. Disclaimer; at the end of the day, one may well need a pro exterminator, they're really not something to be trifled with for the sake of the monetary cost. ...... and furthermore, like many other similar little varmints, there is anaphylactic shock to consider also, ... from purely a single sting, .... and these are entirely capable of several invenomations each. Long winded again, lol, but hope it helps you, others you know, and other subscribers/commenters... wondering about these invasive, and potentially very dangerous little beasties. Cheers Duke.

[@margueritemitchell1829]

The lantern ...double purpose ❤❤❤❤❤

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@Addy-ft4ps]

Thanks for the great review, Mark. I'm guessing these are effective only while stationary so they can create the repellent cloud. Have you tried them while hiking?

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yes, that is their limitation. Thanks for commenting

[@jimf1964]

Have you ever burned or I guess you could say smudged those paper carton egg cartons, or sheets for the 32 packages? Do you think these would be as effective on a small camp site? We’re going in a few weeks and we always have one or two smouldering up wind of the camp and find it pretty darn effective….and free, but one of these would be pretty convenient too

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yes, I have. I think I showed it in a video. Have considered soaking them in something safe, maybe citronella, to make them more effective. Thanks for commenting Jim

[@baz69er13]

Can you fit any mosquitos pads in the mini? I have the Nitecore EMR10 & you can either use the expensive large Nitecore pads or slide one each side of the cheap universal ones......

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

What mosquito pads are you asking about? Thanks for commenting

[@baz69er13]

There the standard ones that you can use in the plug in ones...

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I assume by "standard" you mean Thermalcell. Unfortunately, no, they don't fit. Hope this helps@@baz69er13

[@JamesJReid]

Brother in the past you made quality content. Now it seems like you make commercials for any manufacturer that will send you something in the mail. I cannot abide this anymore. Thanks for showing me how to make a stove.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Sorry you feel that way. I have evolved to include more than just DIY but still do other topics

[@bushcraftbasics2036]

I prefer thorough reviews from an experienced person, like Mark, who have objectively used the product with pros and comparison to other products. Half the reviewers out there open the package at their kitchen table and just give initial thoughts without actually using it in real world conditions.

[@debpalm8667]

Everyone hates mosquitoes!!

[@quebecpatriot1874]

say, can you recharge the Tiny while using it?

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yes, you can. Thanks for commenting

[@markperks1056]

The flextail is absolute junk, mine doesn't work, the heating element doesn't get past 80degC way lower than the 165degC advertised. So the pads don't get hot enough to release any repellent. Doesn't matter what 'mode' it's in it doesn't work. Just a very expensive light.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I have heard that from a few viewers now. Seems to be inconsistent manufacturing. Thanks for commenting

[@curtism7203]

it doesnt work properly. I have used mine with terrible results and now the company is sending me new pads. I put the old pads in my thermacell and it worked great. I took the front off the of the flex tail and the heating element only gets 145C thats 20 degrees colder than advertised and this is why it doesnt work properly.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Unfortunate. Mine appears to work as it should. Thanks for commenting

[@curtism7203]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft thats great that it "Appears" to work

[@Grouse2275]

Mine isn’t working either…. I really wanted to like this…. I contacted the company to see options…..

[@deaconfaith]

Curious if the Flextail tiny repel pads last for next use if only using them for an hour or so?…..so next weekend when I go to use it, will I still have about 6 hours to use them?

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

From my experience they last about half as long as the Thermacell pads do. Thanks for commenting

[@natalieroy4849]

The lamp isn't really an advantage since you'll drain your battery to use it.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

That is true. Thanks for commenting

[@markcummings6856]

Neeto!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

10% discount code: FBIC4EW8 (Start Date 07/13/2023 - End Date 09/13/2023) Amazon Links: TINY REPEL: www.amazon.com/dp/B0C4T3YDDD MAX REPEL: www.amazon.com/dp/B0C4T3YDDD

[@PJMphotography1]

If 165 C Then it's good bye fingers, They got it wrong, it's 165 F.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Good pickup. Thanks for commenting

[@paulwoodford4974]

But do they work?????

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnLNo6KYmdidj5I but I will be making a follow up video. Thanks for commenting

[@sirdee9607]

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@margueritemitchell1829]

Hello from British Columbia Canada 🇨🇦🖐👍❤🌲🚐🌳🚐🌴🎨🖌🎠🤳🕸🎪👌

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting