The PettTM Portable Toilet System with Carry Case

The system is reasonably good. The toilet is good, the tent is kind of flimsy. I'm not a big fan of the spring pole system on the tent - first time I used it I pinched myself badly - but it isn't too bad once you have practiced with it a few times and get used to it. The toilet does unfortunately smell a bit. I guess it might be asking too much of any system to be virtually odorless given what you are putting into it. My husband didn't like the way the poo-powder in the bag smells (before any biological material was put into it) and I admit it does smell a little funny. It's ashame the lid doesn't seal the container - that would help the smell issue. And the lid is so loose on the simple hinges that it fell off the first time I opened it and I learned from then on to just take the lid completly off when you go to use it. But it is very, very easy to use and I appreciate that the bags can be thrown away in the trash (made of biodegradeable materials it says) and that I won't be cleaning out a toilet when we get home. Ease of use was excellent. Even my 6 year old son used it without problems. The tent isn't strong enough to hold a solar bag shower - so if you are going to make the tent do double duty as a shower set it up under a tree with a low branch. Setting it up in the shade is highly recommended as it can get rather hot in there. The vent windows are a good size, but they are placed too low on the walls. They should be much higher up for 2 reasons: 1.) privacy and 2.) heat rises and it would vent better if they were higher up. It might also smell less that way. Often I had to shut the window when using the toilet, because there was no privacy with them open. Leaving them open for ventilation while in use kinda defeats the purpose of the tent in the first place. There is also no floor which is a +/- issue. Great for letting water drain, but can get muddy(wether you use it as a shower or not, if it rains water can run into the tent)so be careful where you set it up, which of course you should do anyway since it needs a level spot for the toilet. I have seen other tents that look like they have some better design features: self draining floor, towel rack outside tent to hang dry towels, collapsable shelves to store items, and stronger poles. But in all fairness it wasn't designed as a shower tent at all, only a latrine, and I am the one who is forcing it to do double duty. I just wanted to let anyone else with the same thought know what to expect if you try to make it do both. You will still want to figure out a way to wash your hands, and if using water, how to dry them and where to put the hand towel afterwards. We bought a Reliance Wash `n Go Sink from Bass pro for $30 and hung the hand towel on the guy chord to the tent. IMPORTANT NOTE: even though they provide TP in each bag, it isn't enough, and you WILL WANT TO BRING YOUR OWN EXTRA ROLL OF TOILET PAPER!! Don't forget that. One roll will fit in the mesh pocket they provide on the inner wall of the tent. Please also note that I have never used one of these systems before, this was my first time and only system I've ever used. I was always a more "primative" camper before I married, and my husband is the one who cannot live without plumbing. I bought it mostly for his sake so that family camping might be more enjoyable for him. I also don't like some of the public camp bathroom facilities we have visited since I've been married to him. He didn't use it as much as my son and I, and he didn't like the smell, but he did use it and was gratefull it was around at night. Getting up out of bed and trapsing all over the dark country side isn't as much fun when you are tired and dressed in PJ's. Plus he seemed to enjoy showering in it (more than I did.) Overall, it was stable, held everyones weight, was reasonably comfortable, easy to use and easy to "clean" up, and therefore I would give it a rather good rating of between 3 and 4 stars.