Product Description

The VIOlight travel offers the consumer the same benefits of sanitization as the original VIOlight but in the convenience of a travel sized version. Many travellers are exposed to a higher risk of contamination of their toothbrush due to leaving it on a hotel sink or uprotected in a dopp kit. The UV germicidal light bulb kills up to 99.9% of the bacteria, such as E.Coli, salmonella, and other harmful microorganisms. Researchers have found more than 10,000,000 bacteria can be living on a single toothbrush. Bacteria, molds, and fungi love moist environments which are commonly found in most plastic travel toothbrush holders. The ADA and most dentists recommend changing toothbrushes only every 3 to 4 months; however it is important to sanitize your toothbrush every day.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1530 in Health and Beauty
• Color: Matte silver
• Brand: Violight
• Model: VIO200
• Released on: 2005-10-05
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 1.00" h x 2.00" w x 9.00" l, 1.00 pounds

Features

• Easy, one-button activation with auto shut off in just seven minutes
• Effective in Killing 99.99% of the H1N1 (Swine)Virus on Toothbrushes
• Small, compact size doubles as a toothbrush travel holder
• Measures 8.5 x 2.1 x 1.1 inches (WxHxD) and weighs 0.4 pounds
• Travel sanitizer holds a single toothbrush (toothbrush included) and is operated by two AA batteries (not included)

Amazon.com Product Description
No matter how often you scrub and clean, microscopic critters will still thrive in the warm, moist environment of the average bathroom. In fact, a single toothbrush can harbor millions of microorganisms -- millions! -- which means it's a good idea to sanitize something that you put in your mouth several times a day if you want to reduce your chances of bacterial infection.

The VIO200 is a handy, travel-friendly way to kill bacteria on your toothbrush. View larger.

Violight puts the "clean" back in oral hygiene.

If you already have the Violight VS100 Toothbrush Sanitizer, then you're aware of its nifty design and the peace of mind that it offers. However, it can be a bit difficult to tote the four-brush VS100 on business trips and vacations. That's where the new VIO200 Travel Toothbrush Sanitizer comes in. That's right, you can take toothbrush sanitization with you on the road, keeping your toothbrush sanitized wherever you go.

There's nothing worse than getting sick while traveling, but it can happen to anyone. Some people are exposed to germs in an obvious manner, such as sitting next to someone who is coughing and sneezing on the plane. But did you know that you can also be harmed by germs if you lay your toothbrush down on the counter in your hotel room? Whether you're staying in a cheap road-side motel or a five-star beach resort, hotel rooms are filled with germs. Even when a bathroom looks clean it may still suffer from microbial contamination.

And here's something to think about: if you plan on staying at a friend or family member's house instead of a hotel during your trip, the germ count in the bathroom will probably be even higher. Even if the people you're staying with are "clean freaks," bathrooms are such a breeding ground for germs that it is near impossible for them to be bacteria-free. According to independent studies, Violight is able to kill 99.9-percent of the bacteria living on your toothbrush (including the influenza virus, streptococcus and staphylococcus) with its germicidal UV light . So no matter where you stay while you're traveling, you can rest assured the VIO200 will help keep your toothbrush clean and your immune system in tip-top working order. Plus, it's ultra-safe to use -- you don't have to mess with dangerous hot steam or boiling water.

The real benefit of the Violight, though, is that it provides peace of mind and good protection from all kinds of nastiness that might be lurking on your trusty bristles. Although toothbrushes don't feel any different after being sanitized by the Violight, it's nice to know that your brushes are clean and germ free. After finding out that the Centers for Disease Control has even stated that toothbrushes can be a significant source of "potentially pathogenic organisms," you'll be glad that the Violight is around. So if you're looking for the ultimate in brushing safety, you'll rest easy knowing that this handy sanitizer puts the "clean" back in oral hygiene.

There are few other things you can do to protect yourself from harmful germs. Travel experts advise you to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after you touch items that are prone to bacteria. You can also wipe down door knobs, lamp switches, telephones, and countertops with antibacterial swabs. And when it comes to the bathroom, whatever you do, keep your toothbrush off that counter. As Violight Travel Toothbrush Sanitizer inventor Joel Pinksys says, "You wouldn't put a dirty fork or spoon that has been sitting on the counter overnight into your mouth without sanitizing it would you? The same should go for your toothbrush."

So take it from Joel, get yourself a travel sanitizer. This device, which holds a single toothbrush and is powered by two AA batteries, serves as both a sanitizer and a safe, clean place to store your toothbrush while you're traveling. After you brush and rinse, simply put the brush in the case, push the button, and seven minutes later the device will shuts off automatically, and your toothbrush will be sanitized. The process couldn't be easier, and the results are well worth the effort.

Customer Reviews

I've had two, I'm buying another, but...
I am about to buy a third one of these in as many years. First, the good: This is a great product that sanitizes my toothbrush. Also, it helps with drying (I shake off excess water, then I put it in, when the light is done it is almost completely dry and an hour later the bristles are stiff and dry, which helps against mold buildup which is a problem when you put your toothbrush in a case like this). It is small enough to travel with (fits in my travel toiletry kit at only 1" longer than my toothbrush; although it is not as small as a plain holder, you couldn't build this any smaller because of the parts inside). It works great!

I use this every day, which means that my example of how long it lasts is an extreme one, but here's the bad: THe first one lasted about 18 months. The second a year. As the batteries get low (about 3-6 months on a pair of AAs), you will notice that the unit needs a shake to turn on. After 9 months or so, it will always need this. Then it will start to use a pair of batteries every month, finally it will completely die. The first one, which lasted longer, was much better built (one part that was metal is now plastic like the rest, the paint was better, the unit lasted longer, and the batteries lasted longer). The paint is also an issue, after a month it seemed like the unit was dirty, but when I went to clean it I found that the paint was changing color in splotches.

Overall, this is a great product that would do much better if they would put some more research into it. They need to make the piece under the toothbrush head out of a better material (like the original metal part was), they need to make the case a bit studier, they need to improve the life (I don't know if it is cheap parts or if the bulb is going, but if it is the bulb it should be replacable like their larger unit's is).

Cost is the final factor. If this lasted 5 years or more, $30 would be reasonable. But since this lasts only a year or so, they should lower the price to the $10 range (including shipping).

should have listened to the other negative reviews
This is the first review I have ever written as I feel strongly enough to complain. I bought the travel sanitizer and had my doubts because of other complaints. First off the people at the company said any odd sized toothbrush would fit, completely untrue as can't use my radius large sized toothbrush. Second, it is too bulky and fragile to travel well. MOST ANNOYING, is that if you are not storing the toothbrush inside the case you have no way to turn off the little light. The light comes on each time you close the case. So its designed to keep your toothbrush inside. Fine after sanitizing, but it can't continue to airdry if you want to keep it outside withoout the little light coming on. As to the light bulb, am just waiting for it to flunk out, have only had the product a few months but the light does not come on unless I shake it.

Aside from air drying how about leaving a toothbrush in the sun or soaking it in hydrogen peroxide. And because I bought from Amazon to save a few bucks it is not really returnable after 30 days, and then I have to take the loss of the large shipping and hendling fee.

Great for the Office
I recently purchased a VIO travel toothbrush sanitizer for my office. I tend to brush after lunch everyday, and I was a little concerned that germs might be building up on the toothbrush in my desk drawer, even though I keep it in a plastic travel container. After researching three different brands of like items, I settled on the VIO. It works very well, although I have not subjected my toothbrush to a microscopic examination. I'm going to trust that the UV device is doing its job. By the way, this unit comes with a toothbrush. The cool thing about the brush is that the very bottom of the handle has a suction cup on it. Sticking it on the mirror or the sink while you rinse sure beats lying it down where the bristles contact those surfaces. You will need to buy a pair of good quality AA batteries, but that shouldn't discourage potential customers. I'll take this unit with me on vacation, to conferences, or any other overnight venture. I highly recommend this sanitizer.