I was surprised to find the tone of the four previous reviews on this. One was like it’s sales ad. And the others were long winding pleadings. (No harm intended, but I wish to point out that a review can help if we are balanced and factual).
Also, note that odomos has completely revamped its product from June 2002. So, the reviews before do not count.
Now, It has a new odour. Skin cream included. And, comes in soft squeeze bottle.
But, the basic issue is effectiveness and safety.
The product is safe enough to be used on babies also. But, internal consumption (due to rub off etc) tends to create problem especially for kids. But the problem is restricted to very short term effect, and if taken in good measure.
They claim it is effective for 8 hours. But, practically because you doze off some cream is rubbed off. The effectiveness is not very strong after 4 or 5 hours. Maybe, the mosquitoes are also liking the new odour.
This product is the only alternative for most of the users as net is cumbersome (You can’t use net with a ceiling fan. The air doesn’t pass inside).
On the other hand, Mosquito coil is much more injurious to the health of kids. They contain pure pesticides. Also, The coil can’t reach all the places. To be effective, a coil has to use 10 times the pesticide as what is really required to chase away mosquitoes. These 10 times are inhaled by us when mosquitoes run away.
As to some people hating it, Well You will get used to it. These NRIs visiting India have problems and their opinion is to be taken as such. To be honest, There is nothing in the odour which is abhoring as well as attractive.
As to the ’sticky’ comments in previous reviews, The new cream is non-sticky. Actually, the cream helped to polish my skin after a hard day’s outing (in the legs).
Use it. It is a good bet. Not the best option, but a good one.