GOGIRL URINE FUNNEL
TEST SERIES BY CHARI DAIGNAULT
LONG-TERM REPORT
INITIAL REPORT - October 13, 2009
FIELD REPORT - January 04, 2010
LONG TERM
REPORT - March 02, 2010
TESTER INFORMATION
NAME: |
Chari Daignault |
EMAIL: |
chari.daignault@gmail.com
|
AGE: |
47 |
LOCATION: |
Orlando, Florida U.S.A.
|
GENDER: |
F |
HEIGHT: |
5' 6" (1.70 m) |
WEIGHT: |
135 lb (61.20 kg)
|
I've been a light hiker for 36 years. I take
the minimum I can with me and prefer a pack close to 15 pounds [6.80 kg]. I've
hiked all the Florida State Forest trails in Central Florida, backpacked the Na
Pali coast on the island of Kauai and climbed Mt. Fuji in Japan. I have hiked
dry & sandy, rough & rocky and wet & boggy trails and as a result,
have found what does and doesn't work for me in terms of equipment and clothing.
INITIAL
REPORT
PRODUCT INFORMATION &
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer: FemMed, Inc.
Year of
Manufacture: 2009
Manufacturer's Website: www.go-girl.com
MSRP: US$
6.99
Measurements:
6.5 in [165 mm] long on longest side
4.5 in [114 mm]
high on funnel side
2 in [51 mm] wide on funnel side
.5 in [12.7 mm]
diameter snout
Colors: Pink in Pink Tube, Pink in Camouflage Tube
Tested:
Pink in Pink Tube
|
GoGirl Colors |
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
|
GoGirl in Packaging |
The GoGirl
arrived packed in a tube, along with a brochure with GoGirl info and
instructions. Inside the tube was the GoGirl, a storage bag and some
biodegradable tissue.
|
GoGirl out of Packaging |
The
GoGirl is made of medical-grade silicone, which is not biodegradable. However,
because the device can be reused hundreds or thousands of times [per the
manufacturer], it is considered Earth Friendly. The device was designed with
women in mind and the many appalling places in which we're forced to pee --
usually sitting down or by attempting the dreaded "hovering" technique. Per the
manufacturer, the GoGirl device will allow me [a person of the female variety]
to discreetly and hygienically pee while standing up.
READING THE INSTRUCTIONS
Per the instructions, to use the GoGirl I
would adjust my clothing and press GoGirl against my body to form a seal. Then,
just aim and urinate. It sounds easier than it is imagined. And my imagination
was at full steam.
There is a correct way and an incorrect way to hold
the GoGirl while using it. To correctly hold it, I was to use my thumb and
middle finger to gently hold the top [thumb] and bottom [middle finger] of the
device. Manhandling it is a no-no [no pun intended].
|
How to Hold [images from
website] |
After use, the manufacturer states
that I can just shake the excess moisture off the device and it will dry
quickly. Urine is sterile, so contamination from contact is not an issue. The
device can be stored in the bag provided, rolled up and crammed back in the tube
in which it came. The tube appears small enough that it shouldn't be too hard to
stow in a backpack, purse or a lumbar pack. The manufacturer states the GoGirl
funnel can be cleaned simply using soap and water for repeated uses.
TRYING IT OUT
Per the instructions, it was suggested I try
it out first in the shower. I completely agreed with that logic, as -- speaking
for myself -- I have no experience with peeing standing up and was not exactly
sure about the logistics. Being able to stand and pee naked without the added
distraction of clothing sounded like a great idea.
|
GoGirl in Hand |
In the shower,
my first try with the GoGirl was what I would call a definite success! Placing
the device against my body was actually very intuitive. I don't recommend
over-thinking its placement. Once in place, the device caught all the urine and
it shot out the end. I found that I could aim it easily and the urine fell well
away from my legs and feet.
|
Snout |
Along with the surreal,
gender-bending aspect, the GoGirl was easy, clean and strangely fun to use. I am
looking forward to actual practical application of the device and my only
concern is what to do with my pants when using it. I'm [once again]
over-thinking the logistics of using it while wearing clothing. Since it appears
I truly only need one hand to use the device, I'm sure my free hand can take
care of holding my pants up from the ground.
SUMMARY
I'm really excited about taking the GoGirl out
into the wilderness and benefiting from not having to hunker down behind a bush,
leaving my behind exposed and risking peeing on my feet. I am also looking
forward to having the GoGirl available for those times when a port-a-potty and a
nasty public restroom are indistinguishable.
FIELD
REPORT
FIELD LOCATIONS AND
CONDITIONS
I've brought the GoGirl device along during
several day hikes, backpacking trips and on a 5k [3.1 mi] race. Our day hikes
are in the Hal Scott Regional Preserve and we've done two backpacking trips into
the Little Big Econ State Forest where we hiked in and camped overnight a couple
nights. The weather during the past two months has been sunny and only slightly
humid with daytime temps ranging from over 80 F [26.7 C] down to 52 F [11 C].
We've currently settled into a cooler, much drier, partly sunny pattern with
temps averaging at around 65 F [18.3 C]. There has been some wind, even less
rain and occasional fog in the mornings. It's been great weather for camping and
hiking.
I also took the GoGirl along with us on a week-long trip to
Firestone, Colorado over the winter holidays. Although we didn't get to do the
hiking I had hoped we would, I was able to test the device for the one purpose I
truly wanted to take it out for: writing my name in the snow.
|
Snow Art |
PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
Using the GoGirl while out on the trail or in
camp was very easy and for the most part, discreet. One of the first and most
important things I learned out on the trail was that although a tree might offer
good cover, if the tree I'm facing is on an up-slope away from me, then using
the GoGirl there isn't such a good idea.
|
Ready To Use |
In the photo
above, I was preparing to use the GoGirl at the base of the pictured tree. The
tree was sloping up away from me, which made my footing do the same. Gravity
caused the urine in the GoGirl to flow back toward me instead of away, resulting
in a few wet spots on my pants. Once I realized what was happening, I quickly
adjusted my stance so the front of my feet sloped downward and then gravity did
the rest and the device worked perfectly. I would like to see them make the
snout part of the device just a bit longer to ensure it keeps urine away from
clothing and feet under more precarious conditions.
At a 5k race in
October, I used the GoGirl device while in a port-a-potty. Something about road
races seems to make folks have to pee -- a lot. Even though [for most of us] the
race was only 30 minutes long, there were long lines at all 25 or so
port-a-potties at the site. Once inside, I was able to easily utilize the GoGirl
device and didn't have to sit or touch anything inside. All I needed was the
GoGirl and a little bottle of hand sanitizer and I was free and clear!
|
Ready To Use Again |
In
Colorado, I attempted to utilize the GoGirl out in the snow in 12 F [-11 C] air
temps. Although the device still worked just as well as it did in warmer
weather, my body didn't. The result was I only got 2 letters of my first name
out and was done. Although it wasn't very recognizable, I was happy with the
results and quickly got back into close proximity with a heater.
SUMMARY
So far in testing under various conditions,
the GoGirl has performed wonderfully. It has allowed me to pee standing up in
locations where I'd previously had to squat or hover. And it's worked easily in
the dark and out in frigid
temperatures.
Likes:
Discreet
Easy-to-use
Sanitary
Easy to
store
Dislikes:
Would like additional colors
Would like the snout a
bit longer
LONG-TERM
REPORT
LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND
CONDITIONS
In the approximately two months since my Field
Report, the Central Florida locations and conditions for my Long Term report
have been essentially the same. Temperatures have been markedly cooler though,
and we've had several nights where we got below 32 F [0 C]. I've taken the
GoGirl device with me on every day hike and camping trip during this phase of
testing. I estimate the total number of trips/hikes to be around 47, including 3
overnights.
This time, I've also incorporated a lot of urban testing of
the GoGirl device. This includes public restrooms in department stores, grocery
stores and restaurants around town. The device has also been used in my office
restroom while at work.
PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
Using the GoGirl device has gotten easier with
practice. I initially had issues with holding my clothing and the device while
trying to pee and not wet myself. Now, I'm a pro. Pants with either a button or
zipper fly are the easiest for me, as I don't have to pull anything down. Shorts
and pants with elastic waist bands have to be pulled down, exposing my
behind.
It cannot be emphasized enough that gravity is a major
contributor to the proper function of this device, so I always ensure that the
pull of gravity is away from my body. I make sure not to pee up a slope; it's
either level ground or making sure the ground is sloping down away from me. 2
miles of hiking with a wet spot shaped like a smile on the bottom of my buns
taught me that valuable lesson.
The biggest issue I've encountered when
using the GoGirl in an urban setting is reaction by others to seeing my feet
facing the toilet. I've exited a stall to find an older woman standing
defiantly, waiting for me to come out. Rather than explain myself, I simply
waved the GoGirl at her, proceeded to the sink and washed my hands and the
GoGirl. [I'm not one for bathroom conversation.]
One way I have around
bathroom "hall monitors" is that anytime I use the GoGirl in a crowded public
women's restroom, I always make a show of pulling it out as I enter the stall,
so there's hopefully no surprise in store for anyone watching. Using the GoGirl
device in public restrooms relieves me of having to use sixty sheets of toilet
paper to cover the seat before I sit and do my business. I love
it.
SUMMARY
The GoGirl Feminine Urinary Device has become
an indispensable part of my day-to-day gear. It sits quietly in my bag at work,
fits neatly in my backpack's waist pocket while hiking and keeps me from
sticking my behind in poison ivy when camping. It took a bit of practice for me
to get really comfortable with using it, but once I had confidence in the
product, I really had no issues.
CONTINUED USE
As long as the GoGirl device holds up, I'll
continue to use it. The freedom it allows on the trails and at camp is the main
thing that keeps me using it. I have purchased 3 more GoGirl devices and have
passed them out to friends.
One note with regard to the retail pricing
listed at the beginning of this combined report: The retail price has increased
to $9.99 US for a single GoGirl device since I began testing.
This
concludes my Long Term Report. Many thanks to FemMed, Inc and
BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity for me to test peeing while standing
up!
This report was created with the
BackpackGearTest.org
Report Writer Version 1.5 Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.