Many hunters may initially dismiss the idea of using an ozone generator for scent control. Personally, I was also hesitant about the claims made by such products. The hunting industry isn’t renowned for delivering revolutionary solutions, especially for whitetail hunting.
Do you recall “Gum-o-Flage,” the “Acorn Kruncher,” or the “Deerview Mirror?” There’s a reason why these gimmicky products ended up on clearance shelves quickly. None of them lasted a full hunting season on the market.
Ozone generators teeter on the edge between a necessary tool and something to be mocked for using. The Ozonics HR500 elevates existing ozone-generating technology by ensuring silent operation and increased efficiency, even in windy environments.
To sum it up: The Ozonics HR500 stands apart from conventional hunting gadgets as a rare product that delivers on its promises. It has a noticeable impact on human scent, turning me into a ghost in the woods last season. It also nearly helped me bag the best buck in my 20 years of hunting.
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Dimensions
7” x 2.5” x 6.5” -
Weight
16 oz. -
Mounting
Screw-in swiveling arm
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Easy operation -
Long battery life -
Compatible with smartphone app -
Effective for whitetail deer
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Metallic smell when in use -
Mounting arm may be over-engineered -
Potential health concerns with ozone exposure
Review of the Ozonics HR500
Overview
This device operates on battery-powered ozone generation. It functions by generating ozone that is meant to bond with human scent molecules. According to Ozonics, this process renders human scent undetectable to deer. While I can’t confirm the specifics, I believe it has a discernible effect. More on its performance and deer reactions later.
Ozonics offers various models, with the HR500 being their flagship. It boasts the longest battery life among the options. I achieved approximately 10-12 hours on a single charge.
The HR500 provides multiple operating modes, notably the boost and hyper-boost modes. These modes aim to produce extra ozone during critical hunting times or in challenging weather conditions. The unit also features a “Driwash” mode meant to be paired with Ozonics’ other products for deodorizing hunting apparel.
I did not test the Driwash mode on this unit, and I’m uncertain of its necessity. I will delve further into this during the performance assessment. The Ozonics HR500 also pairs with a smartphone app via a Bluetooth connection. I appreciate this feature as it allows for easy power level adjustments without unnecessary movement.
Testing
