OZ by ScentLok Rolling Chamber 8k Review: Scent Control on the Go
Scent control is an essential part of hunting. There are several scent-control products on the market designed for hunters, from sprays to special clothing and deodorants. One of the most recent developments in the scent-control market is the use of ozone to kill bacteria and odors. Enter the OZ by ScentLok line of ozone products.
ScentLok has a complete line of ozone products to work in just about any scenario, including the OZ Rolling Chamber 8k, which is the focus of this review. First though, we need to understand ozone and how and why it works for scent control.
Ozone
Ozone is also known as “trioxygen” because it contains three oxygen atoms or O3. It can be naturally occurring, or manmade, and breaks down quickly into dioxygen or O2 when not in the upper atmosphere. You have probably smelled ozone before in nature as it has a distinct metallic smell. In small doses, it is not harmful, but it can agitate your lungs and is not recommended to be exposed to for any length of time.
Ozone is also a powerful oxidizer that can kill bacteria and other microorganisms quickly. The benefit of ozone for scent control is that it can penetrate clothing, gear, and enclosed spaces that other forms of scent control cannot. Additionally, unlike sprays or treatments, ozone generators will not run out as long as you have power.
Duffel Overview
The ScentLok OZ Rolling Chamber 8K Combo Kit is a rolling duffle that doubles as a scent-control chamber. The included OZ500 generates ozone which, using a built-in hose system, allows the ozone to flow into every corner of the bag while attacking odors and odor-causing bacteria.
The bag itself is made of 600D PVC-backed polyester fabric with a durable, water-resistant coating. This allows the duffel to be hardwearing as well as water repellent. We poured a glass of water over the bag to test it, and nothing got through to the inside. While you’re unlikely to be in the habit of dumping water over your duffel on a regular basis, you can be sure your gear will not get wet in the rain.
The inside of the duffel has five mesh pockets that allow ozone to flow through them freely. There is a large flat pocket on the lid that is 19 inches x 17 inches and has a zipper to keep it closed. Two small pockets on either side of the OZ500 are open. One large pocket on the opposite side of the ozone generator has a divider to create two compartments.
There is a large sealed pocket on the bottom of the duffel that runs the entire length. There is also a mesh zippered pocket on the bottom of the duffel, that when standing upright, is the size of the entire bottom. On the end, there is another compartment that is not mesh but has holes to allow ozone to pass through. This compartment would be perfect for holding dirty clothes or boots.
The duffel also has wheels, a retractable pull handle, removable carrying strap, and grip straps for carrying by hand.
The duffel comes in four different colors: black like our test example (which looks like a gray camo), Mossy Oak Break-Up Country, True Timber Strata, and Realtree Edge camo. The camo versions make the duffel look like a hunting bag. If you want something that looks more like luggage, go with the black.
OZ500 Overview
The OZ500 ozone generator can operate using AC power or DC for vehicle operation. When in use, it is not completely silent, but close. When the duffel is sealed up, very little ozone escapes the bag.
The OZ500 can also be used without the duffel in various applications. On the back of the unit, there are two tabs for hanging on nails or hooks. You could use the unit in a garage, closet, bathroom etc. or any other unoccupied space.
We found it does a really good job in the kitchen and bathroom. We also used it to rid the garage of a bad fish smell after a cooler wasn’t cleaned out properly. Overall it is a very handy unit that can destroy odors, even in larger areas.
Field Use
While there are several ozone products on the market, the OZ Rolling Chamber sets itself apart from the others with its capabilities, and it replaces several products that you might already be using.
First of all, it is huge: 8,190 cubic inches, or 134 liters if you prefer. At 32 inches wide x 16 inches high x 16 inches deep, it is a beast. In our testing, it was able to hold 20 shirts, 20 pairs of underwear, seven bluejeans, 20 pairs of socks, ten camo shirts, four camo pants, three camo jackets, a pair of boots, plus other gear. This is great if you are heading out on a hunting trip and want to have everything in one bag. If you are going to use it for a travel scenario, not involving hunting, you could easily pack two weeks’ worth of clothing.
With the ability to destroy odors and bacteria from your clothing, the need for a washing machine while on the road is reduced. Just run the OZ500 with the dirty clothes in the duffel, and they come out with a neutral smell. This is great if you are traveling abroad or in a remote area. Needless to say, it won’t help you with dirt or stains, though.
The OZ Chamber also reduces the need to carry scent-killing spray. There is always the chance that scent spray could leak in your luggage. The OZ500 makes carrying spray with you redundant but if you really want to, then ScentLok has you covered there with the NFuse Ozone Sprayer.
If you store your clothing in the duffel while at your lodge or camp, you will reduce the amount of scent picked up by your environment. The OZ Rolling Chamber has a large 12×14” Carbon-Web adsorber in the top mesh panel. It adsorbs and locks away odor even when the OZ500 is not running. Replacements are available, and ScentLok recommends replacing the adsorber every season.
When the duffel is full, it is heavy, so the rolling feature becomes essential. When we filled the bag to capacity, it weighed over 50 pounds. That is manageable to some degree, but due to the size, it was a little unwieldy. However, despite this weight, the duffel showed no signs of zipper strain thanks to the overall construction of the bag.
One thing to point out is the duffel will not stand up on the wheel end because that end is soft. As a result, the bag will tend to fall over. We tried to pack the heavy stuff to that end, and it helped a little, but we could not get it to stand up without assistance. This does not affect overall portability, but it is something to be aware of.
Review
Overall, the ScentLok OZRolling Chamber 8K Combo Kit performs very well. The construction of the bag is solid. The extending handle is reliable and functional. It comes in a single molded extendable piece which avoids the issues often found with luggage handles that have multiple joins.
The bottom plastic pieces around the wheels are riveted to the bag, but because it is a soft duffel, those plastic pieces extend slightly from the body of the bag. While we do not think this is an issue for most circumstances, I can see a slight possibility that they could be damaged by improper handling at an airport.
As I mentioned earlier, this bag is quite large, and I can see most people only using it for longer trips or packing more gear. However, because it also acts as a scent-control chamber, that makes up for the extra size.
The OZRolling Chamber retails starting at $249.99 with the OZ500 unit. This might seem steep, but price a rolling duffel that has these features and you quickly realize the price is on target. Throw in the OZ500 unit, and it becomes a great deal for hunters and travelers alike.
Jeremy Mallette is co-founder of International Sportsman. An avid hunter and outdoorsman, he has spent more than a decade in the outdoor industry, from hiking and camping to silencers and hunting. His father taught him to shoot at age six, and he received his first firearm at age eight — a 1942 Colt Commando .38 special revolver. He enjoys yearly trips to Kansas for pheasant hunting, spending time with his children at the deer lease, and collecting unique firearms.
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