OR NeoAir Mini Pump

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/test/OWNER%20REVIEWS/OR%20NeoAir%20Pump%20-%20joe%20schaffer/
NeoAir Mini Pump

Owner Review
by Joe Schaffer

October 28, 2014

TESTER INFORMATION: 
NAME: Joe Schaffer
EMAIL: never2muchstuff(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
AGE: 66
GENDER: Male
HEIGHT: 5'9" (1.75 m)
WEIGHT: 175 lb (79.4 kg)
HOME:  Hayward, California USA

    I frequent California's central Sierras, campingevery month; 85 nights so far this year; about a third of the time solo. As a comfort camper I lugtent, mattress, chair, etc.Summer trips last typically a week to 10 days; 40 lbs (18 kg), abouthalf food related; about 5 miles (8 km) per hiking day. Iwinter camp most often at 6,000' to 7,000' (1,800 to 2,000 m); 2 to 3nights; 50 lbs (23 kg); 1 to 4 miles (1.6 to 6.4 km) on snowshoes.



The Product:
        Manufacturer: Cascade Designs
        Web site: www.cascadedesigns.com
        Product: NeoAir mattress pump
        Purchased: 1/19/14

My measures:
        Weight w/batteries: 2.5 oz(71 g)   
        Weight no batteries: 1.75 oz (50g)
        Width:  about 1.5" (38 mm)
        Height:  about 2.75" (70 mm)
        Thickness:  about 2" (51 mm)

Factory specs:
        Weight:  65g (2.3 oz) 
        Width:   1.7" (4 cm)
        Height:  2.75" (7.1 cm)
      
        
MSRP: $39.95 US

Product Description:   

    This pump is what you'd expect from a tiny hairdryer with no heat and no handle. The gray plastic case is close tocylindrical but for one side that makes it elliptical. The top of thecase has a lid that flips up by applying a small amount of pressure tothe front top edge of the case. Flipping the lid activates an electricmotor to drive the fan. The rubbery neck of the output orifice can thenbe extracted. The neck extends about 1.5" (38 mm) to a nozzle about 0.7"(18 mm) insidediameter. The nozzle expands slightly to match the shape of a NeoAirmattress valve and will grip the valve so that the pump can be leftunattended while it blows air into the mattress. Two AAA batteries nestinside the "fat edge" of the unit, with an access cover on the airintake end. The unit is turned off by pushing the neck/nozzle backinside the case and closing the lid.

   Field Conditions:
   I've had the product on 16 different outings, ranging induration from 1 to 10 nights; using it for 87 inflations on one set ofbatteries, which are now showing signs of fatigue in colder temperatures. Fill temperatures ranged from slightlybelow freezing to above warm; at elevations from 5,000 to 10,200 feet(1,500-3,100 m.) I've used it 27 times for the NeoAir pictured above, 1 time for NeoAir XTherm XL,3 times for REI Stratus and 56 inflations of an REI Flash mattress. 

Impressions:
    When I first heard of the unit I scoffed it off toneedless weight for someone who can't think of anything else to spendtheir money on because they've already bought carbon fiber tent pegs.On second thought it occurred to me that my mattress trove couldperhaps last longer getting filled with ambient air instead of heavilyhumid snot breath. I don't know if that's at all true, but I feelbetter thinking it is.

    I think calling the unit a pump suffers a bit ofhyperbolic marketing. It is a teensie fan with just barely the power(almost) to fill a NeoAir. I've timed inflation at about 4 minutes from thetime a NeoAir is rolled out fully flat and the nozzle's inserted untilthe fan can do no more. At that point, I find I can finish the job inless than a full breath. For me, that translates into blowing about5-8% of the volume with snot air following the pump's work. If myhypothesis about the benefits of ambient air holds water, that's a lotless moisture to accumulate inside the mattress.

    I also find that when I'm with my tent mate--whosemattress I always fill--I actually do enjoy hearing that little machinedo the work. One mattress I can do without muchado, but two mattresses loom as a breathy project when I might bealready verging on lung weary from reaching camp. Alone or not, Iconfess to wanting this device for its labor saving even if I sit therewatching it. The NeoAir and its XTherm cousin can be left unattended asthe nozzle grips the fill valve perfectly. That conceivably makes a fewminutes available to do something else--a benefit akin to that of agravity water filter where I might sit and watch it anyway but havethe option of being freed up to address another task. As a batterymiser I seem to have trouble taking my eyes off it.

    I find it difficult to break the habit of squishingthe mattress as a test of completion, a fatuous act with this productas squishing overpowers the fan and blows air back out through it. I'veused the product enough times I can now begin to discern a differencein sound when the fan has done all it can. 

    Clearly the product is marketed for the NeoAirmattress which has a skin about as thick as SaranWrap. If the materialis not too cold, the fan has enough power to open the mattress up as itfills. The XTherm, which I only use in the cold, wants to be laid out.The REI Stratus mattress shell is too heavy for the fan to open, but itgrips the valve and will fill the mattress. The REI Flash will fill inunder a minute, though it also wants to be laid out first and thenozzle must be held to the deflate valve as the fan hasn't the juice topush through the valve flap on the inflate port. It is a bit clumsy tohold the nozzle exactly against the valve opening tight enough for anair seal but without collapsing the nozzle. It goes so fast I don'tmind the fiddle factor. Of course it won't do anything to aself-inflatable.

    I don't carry spare batteries for my headlamp, whichsome night may cause me to be glad I can cannibalize two from the MiniPump. I'll not be adventurous enough to run the Mini Pump off batteriesfrom the headlamp.

    One of my gear hound buddies blew this pump ideapast me and remains the only other person I've seen with one. His isbeginning to make a funny noise; and I always question the durabilityof such products. However, my experience with the brand is terrificcustomer service and if the unit fails in an unseemly manner I believethey will not leave me sucking air. 
    
My NeoAir Mini Pump quick shots:

    a) Small
    b) Works
    c) Pricey