New Product Shipping Now: Did You Back the EverFrost Cooler?

#14

I did not back it but do think it was a cool product (pun intended). (plus I already have like 6 coolers of various cooling ability and wife would probably say no right now lol)

I think a potential fault in the backing is that a lot of folks may not think of going to Kickstarter to view if there is a concept from the Anker brands that they are wanting to get off the ground. I know there is a certain secrecy on not wanting info on products to be known until they are released as we have seen in the communities in the past but I would figure the kickstarters would be a different venue and maybe could have been advertised more.

I will say that I knew that it was a potential product to be released due to a survey from my Eufy security app several months ago. It asked question on what you liked better on certain parts of the product (example the table design or another option or two).

I have done a few of those surveys on the app and have seen products that have came out or not come out based upon the questions from the surveys. This was one of the more interesting ones to be made.

So it is a nice product and wish it a great success as it is looks pretty nice.

#15

Interesting perspective. Thanks for sharing it.

It surpassed its funding goal on KS, so that was a success. And yes, we do like our surveys and consumer insights…which is a really valuable aspect of this community for the brand.

#16

I’ve backed two different kickstarters in the past from reputable brands; one took a year to start production behind schedule; then their product went to market on Amazon before they even fulfilled the kickstarter pledge orders. I cancelled.

The second ended up being an absolutely terrible product that went under litigation for false advertising. I swore off kickstarter. Any potential savings for me for backing a product early isn’t worth the risk of a V1 of a product, especially an expensive one.

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#17

This is my nightmare. I get so excited about innovative product. What a fail.

There are these reusable sticky notes on KS right now from RocketBook. I might fall for them. They’re inexpensive, and honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever backed a KS before. I could use the consumer experience.

#18

How long are your power outages in winter?

If outages due to cold weather, isn’t an insulated outdoor food container going to be on average cold so in daytime it’s not above 32c within?

I know some who need to keep medical equipment cold in an outage, but of course if you own a freezer, you own ice, and pack ice around something keeps it 0C for days.

So long outages to keep food cold is a challenge but then how much volume you need for that context? More than this product?

#19

At my current home, typically less than 24 hours. My family in more rural part of the state? Anywhere from a few hours to a week depending on the ice storm severity. Last year a relative just about had spoiled insulin due to lack of power. They looked at these types of products for that reason.

For instance; a few years ago we got an ice storm that knocked out power for 30% of our county, the majority of it was rural. Down trees and power lines did not allow for travel. Temps warmed, but no power to keep things cooled. It is not uncommon that national guard have to take medications to people because of the lack or resources.

I see multiple use cases for a product like this.

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#20

I agree there’s situations where you need to keep things cold longer than a power grid outage. Those though tend to be at home. And if regular occurence you own a generator (diesel makes electricity).

But this product’s USP is it’s portability and use of DC power. Portable fridge. It does though turn the problem back into you still have to supply electricity which comes ultimately from fuel.

So I’m thinking more of an RV type context? The RV owners I know have a big battery and a 2nd diesel tank they run , some also have solar and run a small fridge that way. So this Anker product is more where you want to move your fridge around , a portable fridge, so not RV and not home context, but mobility needs inbetween?

#21

Not sure if you saw this link I posted previously, but this a use case for it. They have reviewed several units; they like these types of units because they sip power and can be moved around easily.

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#22

I also don’t see the point of KS for Anker. They’re cash rich can easily absorb the development costs. I see therefore this is just being used for marketing purposes of “coming soon”.

I usually prefer V3.

V1 contains the flaws of the mind of the inventor.
V2 contains the flaws remaining after the enthusiastic backers found what the inventor hadn’t thought of.
V3 contains only the flaws after general users spotted them.

An expensive V1 from someone with over $1B market capitalisation makes no sense.

Ideas Anker hasn’t thought of is field servicing. This is a big item. There’s likely one component most easy to fail. It should be user swappable so only shipping a small replacement. I told them that already with their powerhouse but still they release monolithic products.

These DC cooler systems rely on the thermoelectric effect (supply DC and a surface gets cooler one side and warmer other side). So the two most common failures are the insulation barrier between the food container and the thermocouple, and the DC-DC unit. If the barrier fails it’s a complete replacement required but the DC-DC unit should be field swappable.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_effect#:~:text=The%20thermoelectric%20effect%20is%20the,different%20temperature%20on%20each%20side.

#23

I believe we do. Solar Panels. :slight_smile:

I joke around, but take your point about less opportunity to fail.

I think people buy EverFrost to solve two problems – they need the newest thing and getting ice when you’re driving through the wilds of the American West (the only remote areas I’ve experienced deeply and frequently), getting ice isn’t a simple stop. It’s a 25-minute drive to/from camp if you’re close to say Moab, Utah, and even that is a distraction if not a chore. I’d rather be MTBing.

I think, too that Americans LOVE their space and their freedom, so a PowerHouse feels suitable to them. They’re going in the bunker if things go to he77.

A PowerHouse designed for self-repair … that’s interesting. I’m going to write a sci-fi script in my head and then think about what that could look like. Cool idea, prof.

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#24

Yea! I really like the V1, V2, V3 logic. Practical and conservative.

I don’t know what market cap is and I don’t want to know. My brain is too full.

I think KS has its appeal for us because it drives interest in the product. I could guess at other reasons, but I think the truth is probably more interesting.

Your idea on the swappable component works if it’s truly a component that is easy to swap. My car’s sparkplugs used to be right up front, and $25 at the auto shop. My new car? $600 and they have to take parts out to access it. I can’t think of anything much easier to swap out than sparkies, but there ya go. I suspect that my sparks on my old car were more likely to fail though … so maybe your point stands. Interesting way to think about it.

And of course, when I crashed up the body … it was a complete replacement of my car.

#25

That group has quite a few already! I’m glad. It’s really a great application for them.

A friend of mine has an off-the-grid family cabin in Wyoming. It’s so far off the grid, they have no power solutions … an EverFrost would be a good solution for them while they figure out what to address first on the property. They’re two hours from pretty much anything.

#26

You can use the EverFrost with solar or obviously a PowerHouse sized 555 - 767.

So it’s not exclusively AC.

Also, maybe this is an American thing. Maybe it was the oil crisis in the 70s. Maybe it’s the high (to Americans) cost of diesel.

Diesel<Sun

#27

You’re right, you could be prepared with ice on hand in case you need it to keep meds cool … but ice takes up so much space in a freezer, and power outages aren’t so predictable or even seasonal necessarily. I experienced power outages year round in Wyoming. Wind took out power lines.

But we never went days without power. That’s a testament to the grid, regulatory authority, population density and the linemen, for sure.

#28

Depends where you live. If there’s many people losing power then it gets prioritisation, but if there’s a long line and not many people at end of the line could take many days while you wait your turn.

I also don’t take meds,… as 90% of illnesses are avoidable. e.g. type II diabetes is curable in weeks.

Come on, this is feeding to the geeks who see it then realised they want it. Admit it.

All those I know who get regular power outages own diesel generators.

#29

I have been gifted a whole wooden stair from a condemned house two weeks ago.
Now all is sawn and stored.
Winter can come and those Greens can … (censored)

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#30

Good for you. Making best use of what already exists is the greenest thing you can do. Buying new things you never see all the mining, factory and shipping environment costs.

With the exception of a very few things like housing, most items biggest environmental cost is burdened before you own it.

I recently replaced my 16 year old bike, old one sold to a better home, new one likely lasting me til I’m (cough) unable to bike.

I also gave my 6 year old Anker PowerPort+ 5 to someone last week as their 8 year old Powerport 5 wasn’t powerful enough to keep the 4 year old tablet I gifted them charged.

We shouldn’t be afraid to be proud of still using older Anker equipment which still works well long after warranty. While I know Anker wants us to buy all new stuff the reason to buy Anker is fundamentally it is reliable, and reliability is key to getting way longer use of the initial environmental costs.

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#31

My daughter’S bike was stolen, so I bought here a “new” one.
It’s a ca 60 year old “grandma bike”.
Works absolutely fantastic.
There was nothing to repair at all.
Was all the time well hidden in a basement.
Got it for 20 Euros at the flea market from a friend who is in the household clearance business.

Yes indeed seems we are not the customers industry is looking for! :rofl:

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#32

Manageable…never curable unless you live a pure Spartan lifestyle…some vegetarians with active lifestyles and normal weights have been diagnosed with type 2 and even with additional weight loss are still on risk factors

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#33

Don’t want to turn this into something else, but of the: how where when what that’s only some of the topics you mentioned. The When is interesting. Every real person I’ve met I’ve solved their issue but I’m not in it for $ so no books or videos or links, so I’m not retracting my words,.