Peter posted on April 30, 2007 12:14
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION AND PHOTOS
The PETT(r) Portable Toilet is a easy to use and transport comfort from home. The until is made to hold 400lbs of weight and be deployed in under a minute.
- Retail Price - $116
- Weight - 7lbs
- Dimensions - 14.25" x 5" x 19.5"
- Easy carry handle
- Folding legs
- Uses Wag Bag biodegradable disposal system
The above picture shows the unit all closed up. Note the handle at the top and please ignore the scuff marks as this unit was picked up in route to its first field test and bounced around in the back of the truck before its pictures.
The underside of the unit hides the legs.
Each leg is held in place with these clamp pieces. The legs are deployed by simply pulling up on the leg until it locks in its upright position.
With all three legs in place, you can see the underside of the mesh "basket" with a Wag Bag inside. At least three Wag Bags can fit in this area with the legs collapsed as well as a roll of toilet paper.
The unit just about ready for use.
A top view with the seat flipped up. The mesh basket helps hold things in place so all the weight isn't held by the Wag Bag.
The mesh basket can also be fully removed if you wished to simply use the unit over a hole in the ground.
The Wag Bag contains (left to right):
- Thick disosal zip-close disposal bag
- Clean wipe
- Toilet paper
- Folded Wag Bag with Poo-Powder inside
A photo of the Poo-Powder inside the bag.
A unit ready for action. The lid routinely falls off when in the up position.
Breaking down the unit requires pressing in on the holding tabs of the legs and then folding them in place.
REVIEW
The PETT Portable Toilet is made of a high grade plastic and feels sturdy when lifted at the comfortable handle. The unit is well balanced and easy to walk with short distances.
Using the unit is a straightforward task
- Flip the unit over and fold out the legs
- Open the seat and remove the Wag Bag
- Unfold the Wag Bag with Poo-Powder
- Place the Wag Bag in the mesh basket and close lif
- Do your business
- Lift seat and collect up Wag Bag
- Either bury the biodegradable Wag Bag or place it in its disposal bag for later landfill deposition
With the legs deployed the unit is able to hold up to 600lbs, which makes it useful, with the lid closed, as an everyday stool or step to help reach high placed objects. Amazingly comfortable to sit on, the PETT does suffer from a lack of adequate material to help hold the lid in the up position. Instead, the lid usually falls off the back of the unit leaving the user a bit more exposed than need be. It took this happening about two times before I got a clue and removed the lid altogether when using.
Not to get too gross, but the downside of operation is closing up the Wag Bag. It’s best to remove as much air as possible to help the bag fit in its disposal bag. As you can imagine, this may be odd to some users.
The Poo-Powder does a good job of both congealing liquid ‘deposits’ and keeping smell to a minimum. On the test run with this unit, 4 uses of ‘#1’ in the same bag still resulted in a congealed result, which helps greatly to reduce spills or leaks. So unless required, one Wag Bag can be used multiple times in camp if desired.
The disposal bag is made of a strong plastic as well and gives you assuredness of protection against simple punctures or explosions. One such bag was carried 60 miles on the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park and another bag carried about 15 miles of rough off-road driving in Arches National Park in the confines of a normal camping garbage bag. No leakage to contamination was noted. The bags can then be thrown out with the rest of your trash.
Beyond the need for an improved lid design, I rate this device 5 out 5…ummmm….somethings. It fulfilled my needs and can make Nature’s Call easier on any camper.
There is also a privacy tent available for the unit that has not been tested.