Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Flowtron Model BK-40D Electronic Insect Killer (One Acre Coverage) There are 3 things one needs to look for in a bug zapper, not two. Bulb life is one. The Flowtron BK-40D I got from Amazon worked fine for about 5 months of continuous service. The starter and bulb both went out at that time. I had only owned it for 10 months and put into service in the spring. (bought 12/08, put out 3/09, bulb failed 8/09. Flowtron customer service said the bulbs are not warranted. They have an expected continuous life of about 5 months, in my experience. Flowtron is only marginally better than the Stinger (Stinger bulbs are rated for 1200 hours, or 40-50 days. But Stinger will replace the unit if there is a grid failure. Both bulb replacements are $20-30, almost the cost of a new unit. I have not found a good zapper yet, these days. I suppose both companies are making their profits on new bulbs, sorta like the old Polaroid cameras. I have junked both brands and am looking for a better one. Terry UPDATE (December 09)... Flowtron DID send a replacement Zapper,... a couple of months after I returned the faulty product (bad bulb) at my expense ($13). We will see. No bugs now, so is turned off.. Terry UPDATE (May 2010).. My New Flowtron was put back out on March 15, 2010. It died today, May 17, 2010. Bulb went out. (you can tell by the black burnt area, like flourescent bulbs). 2 months service on a $40 product is not acceptible usage for me. Bad product. Terry