ZDNET teardown finds 'advanced electromagnetic' car de-icer is just a blinking box

ZDNET's Adrian Kingsley-Hughes tested an "advanced electromagnetic antifreeze snow removal device" and found it did not remove snow after leaving it in his car overnight and then taking it apart.

The product box made several claims, including using "active electron interference" to prevent water condensing and icing on windshields and stating it would not affect the human brain. Physically, the gadget is a small black box with a switch, a micro USB port, self-adhesive tape on the base and a blue LED that blinks occasionally — a light the author said could attract police attention in the UK.

After opening the case the unit fell apart easily and contained only a tiny circuit board, a small battery, a working solar panel, an LED and a chip to blink the LED and manage charging. The device did not produce any electromagnetic effects beyond the blinking light; the review said there were "no active electron beams" or other advanced components. The gadget sells for about $10.

Kingsley-Hughes recommended using conventional tools instead — a proper de-icer and scraper, a windshield cover for snow, and a cordless vacuum squeegee for interior condensation — and warned that the "doodad" does not perform as its packaging suggests.

Key Topics

Tech, Electromagnetic De-icer, Adrian Kingsley-hughes, Uk, Solar Panel, Led