Coleman SportCat Perfectemp Catalytic Propane Heater with Instastart Technology

I didn't have any design or function problems with my unit, at all. It worked fine right out of the box. For my purpose (heating a tent or a small bedroom in case of a power outage), I'd buy it again (and the price is right). BTW, the Winter temps in northwest WA are usually pretty mild at sea level, so although the 1500 BTU output isn't much, it is all I need.

The very first time I lit my unit, I was puzzled why it took 5 or 6 clicks of the insta-start spark to light it, even though Coleman predicts this in their instructions. By telling you to start clicking the spark right after opening the valve, I suspect Coleman is making sure you don't let a large amount of propane build up before you hit the button. In other words, I suspect it takes the same amount of time to click the starter 5 or 6 times as for the unit to build up enough propane to light. When it does, there is a small poof of blue and yellow flame. True, if you waited a few minutes after you open the valve to click the starter, one click might be enough to light the unit, but you might also lose your eyebrows (or worse).

One thing for sure... run your heater outside or maybe in your garage for a LONG time when it is brand new. In fact, I'd say use up a whole container of propane to break it in. The reason for this is that the smell this heater puts out when it is new is nasty! Ever get a rug stuck in the rotating brush of your vacuum cleaner, and the rubber drive belt starts to smoke? Well, it's like that smell TIMES TEN! I couldn't find any mention of the odor or warnings about toxicity in the Coleman booklet, so Coleman must not think is is harmful. But, believe me, it sure is unpleasant and Coleman should mention the idea of "breaking in" the heater when new. After I ran about 3/4 of a tank of propane through my new heater, the smell was completely gone. But, fair warning... break this puppy in, before you bring it inside with you.

Otherwise, no complaints, and I'd buy it again and recommend it to you. Stay warm out there!

I bought this heater to use in my small three man tent. The tent is about 7' square and just a little more than high enough to sit up in. My son and I used the heater on a late Winter scout camping trip and it heated the tent well enough that we didn't really need our sleeping bags, a light blanket would be fine. One 16 oz. fuel canister lasts two nights.

As far as the smell reported by another reviewer goes, It did have a stink at first when it was new. I ran the heater overnight in my garage before we first used it for camping and there was no perceptible odor.

It would be nice if it had a stand made to hold it at an angle like some of the other Coleman catalytic heaters so the heat could be aimed but it worked fine as is for us.

Overall I'm very satisfied. It met my expectations.

Great portable heater! Love the instastart feature. Reasonable price, the only thing that i would like is that if i were able to use it at an angle so the heat would be directed towards me when desired rather than just having it always pointed upwards. Other than that i would say it was a good buy, one satisfied customer. Tx! Frisco, Ca

The Coleman Sportcat is just what I have been looking for to keep me warm on those cold fishing days in Nov and Dec. I have not actually tried it on my boat yet, but it felt very warm in my garage test. I have been told to pay close attention to the propane fumes. This fall it will get a full test. Rob

I am an AVID camper. If I camped anymore I would need a mailbox on my hood. It gets cold in the NW and when I heard about catalytic heaters I felt 'Wow!, I gotta have one!!!' So...being the careful person I am about new and supposedly great products...bought a Coleman 'sportcat' Cat. heater. Let me give you an analogy: I love a bacon and egg breakfast. But if the eggs smelled rotten...or the bacon smelled like a pig-pen you can bet I would skip it! And so with this heater... A great idea and it heats pretty good(I used it in the back of my big old chevy van....BUT THE SMELL THIS THING PUTS OUT IS TERRIBLE. I paid about $13.00 less for it(30 days ago)than the cheapest price offered here...but the smell ruins the bargain; and even the idea. I went back to my homemade alcohol burner(even though it requires greater ventilation)which works like a charm and has an odor but NOTHING like the metallic/oily weirdness that the cat heater puts out! If it is that bad on the smaller/1500 btu model I don't know HOW anybody can stand the larger output models? This made everything in my van smell so bad(I am a very clean living AND camping person)that I had to strike sulpher head matches to cover and finally neutralise the odor! Up till buying the Cat heater...I only ever used those matches to cover a DIFFERENT smell(;. If you know what I mean! I work with solvents as a printer and even most glues and paints do not bother me. This cat heater smell is on par with a cat box(!) as far as I am concerned. I took it back and got my money back with the complaint that Coleman does not(and absolutely SHOULD do so!)mention the remarkable smell these put out. I would use this product again IF I thought the option was freezing to death...or if everybody else would understand the stink it leaves behind(and on the user!). Otherwise...no thanks. I even read the other reviews on this(before I bought one) and like products and kind of poo-pooed the other complaint about the smell being strong. That reviewer was right! Too bad...I thought I had discovered a welcome additon to my love for camping. If you can sleep with some pot-pourie(sp?)shoved up your nose; or you have no friends who can smell...none of this will matter. Most people would not stay in aroom or house that smells like this cat heater makes a room/space smell. NOT ME!!! Your call.