Customer Reviews

TarGard Permanent Filter System

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When I first started looking at this product I did a little poking around, looking for more information. I couldn't tell if the Targard Permanent Filter System was all you needed to buy. I saw links to some other products, like replacement O-rings ect. So I was a little hesitant to buy it, but I figured at the price they are asking, plus shipping...you really couldn't go too wrong. Plus the cost of the replacement part was very reasonable.
So, let me start off by saying....this System is complete. You do not need to buy any other item to start using it right out of the package. That said, I believe even though it says "Permanent" filter system you may eventually obviously need to buy more O-rings. Why do I say "obviously"? Well they wouldn't sell replacement O-rings if there wasn't a need to replace them! lol.
What are O-rings? They are the products name for the little rubber circle that goes on the metal part, its very small, barely noticeable but it provides the important seal between the metal and the holder (thats my best guess anyway). This system comes with two holders and 1 metal insert with an o-ring included. The metal insert is what actually does the filtering. It might be nice to have a holder by its self, but why not have the advantages of filtering at the same time? The metal insert grips the cigarette very nicely and I didn't once worry that it would fall out when I went to flick the ashes off.

Now, for its actually usage.... I did two trials. One right out of the box. I took it and inserted my 100 length cigarette in the Targard system. I noticed right away that I needed to pull extra hard to get a inhale from the cigarette. I didn't like it. Who wants to look like they are stuggling to be able to inhale?? So the next trial I cut a filter down to the length of a King size cigarette. This worked beautifully! I was able to inhale and smoke, the taste was the same, it didn't feel hotter like it sometimes does with the shorter filters and it didn't burn my fingers since the holder added the length I am normally use to.

My Actual Personal Results-
The first trial I did with the 100's length filter attached- When I finished smoking my cigarette I waited for everything to cool down. Then I took the metal insert out of the holder to look at it. It had a noticeable amount of brownish material around the small hole at the top and the "barrier slot" at the bottom. My best guess, without laboratory equipment to scientifically prove it, is that this brownish material is tar and or nicotine combined. This would normally have gone instantly into my lungs!

I cleaned the filter system thoroughly and was disgusted (but overjoyed) at how much it had actually gotten from only one cigarette!

The trial with the shorter king length filter- I again started with a very clean metal insert and holder. I placed the cigarette in the insert with holder attached. I smoked the cigarette and then once again waited for it to cool down. (just to be on the safe side, you know?) I had very similar results. I could not tell, without tiny calibrated machines, if there was less or more brown material. It appeared to my naked eye as if the Targard Permanent Filter System had caught the same amount of tar no matter the length of the cigarette filter.

I would, only from my own nonprofessional experience, recommend that you use this with a King size filter. It seems to be a smoother experience and without any of the normal drawback of using a King size filter. It didn't taste or feel any different then if I was smoking my normal 100's length.


I will absolutely continue using this product and if I need to occasionally replace the O-ring, then I count that as a very tiny price to pay for the added benefits I am gaining. I give this product 5 stars! A++ for ease of use and completeness.

On a tiny sidenote: The instructions for how to clean the metal insert and holder are on the back of the package. Normally when opening the package these would be ripped or damaged. With a little careful prying you are able to leave these instructions undamaged. However, in all honesty, read the package once and you should be able to take it apart,put it together again and clean it with no difficulty.

This little gadget is an interesting addition to any Smoker's repetoire. While the health effects are questionable, it provides a smoker with several other perks. It somewhat prevents your fingers from smelling like smoke, a condition which few people like. Also, it does in fact collect a certain amount of tar, which would otherwise be in your lungs or on your teeth. I strongly recommend using the clear tip over the black one, as it allows you to see just when you need to clean the device. Speaking of, cleanup is really easy, I just drop it in a little bit of alcohol.

Great little item ... it definitely fits its billing. I quit pack-a-day smoking ~10 years ago, but I still buy a pack if I'm on vacation, or occasionally for the golf course, etc. This thing is impressive because, with the clear handle, you can actually see the tar collecting in there. If you're trying to quit smoking or thinking about it, this would be a great motivator because you can see what's actually going into your lungs without one of these filters. Also, whether you're trying to quit or not, you should know that this filter does give you less of a quality "drag" off your cigarette --- you're not going to take as much smoke in with each inhale as you would without it. I think heavy smokers who plan to stay that way probably won't get much use out of this thing because it definitely limits the draw. It's not difficult to clean, but you have to keep it clean because otherwise it starts to get that ashtray factor. A Q-tip or the corner of a paper napkin easily does the trick for cleaning. OK,

I am using this filter and the almost similar looking disposable filters they sell at Walgreen's or CVS and after only 4 weeks I can tell a huge difference in my breathing. No more smokers cough and short of breath. I am not saying it's healthy by all means but if you someone like me who cannot stop at least try to do something to reduce the tar.

A friend of mine at work showed me these mechanical filters. I ordered this Targard reusable filter along with a bag of 100 mini disposables. Interestingly I haven't been able to find much research on their effectiveness. After just a few days I notice a significant reduction in my smoker's cough. You can see the tar build up. This permanent filter seems to pull out more than the disposables. It's amazing what the regular filter on a cigarette doesn't get out. While there is no question that not smoking is the best alternative these certainly are a right step. I also notice a reduction in the amount of nicotine. The flavor is actually better as without the tar there is less harshness. While I may continue to try and quit I won't smoke without a mechanical filter anymore. Whether as a step in quitting or just making the smoke less toxic these do work. I can recommend them.

I own several cigarette filters. Disposable and reusable. Using disposable filter system i always get into difficult position having the filters ran out and replacement hard to find (i travel alot). The reusable filter ensure this will not happen. And by far the TarGard reusable filter system is the best of the reusables that i have. Uses only 1 o-ring, has the highest tar removal rate compared to my other reusable filter systems, almost as much as the disposable one, and most off all compact.
Like the other reviewer, i prefer the clear holder as the black one had caused me to have embarassing facial contortion when the tar overflowed unnoticed when smoking. Highly recommend this item. I recommend stopping smoking altogether highest though. I am working on it and hope the filter hepls.

Wow. This thing works! The sticky, nasty tar (and other stuff) it pulls out are a real shocker! It is not easily cleaned with hot water. I have found alcohol is a MUST, and it doesn't eliminate the odor (or discoloration on clear tip) from the plastic piece completely. Keep in mind, this thing does it's job well and therefore STINKS! I just keep mine in a little zip-lock bag to contain the smell. This filter works like a charm, and I will definitely keep using mine!

Excellent item. I bought this for two reasons: 1) knowing HST used them, which, as genius as the man was, made me think, "Hey, maybe there's something to these things." And 2) what the hell, why not?

I first tried the Targard with a Pall Mall light, and I could hardly tell I was smoking and didn't care for it (I like that "hit" sensation). I then cut the filter in half and finished the rest of the cigarette with satisfaction. I immediately noticed the "tar" buildup in the filter, and the taste dissolved in my mouth exceptionally faster than that of a non-Targard (regular) cigarette. I didn't want to continue cutting filters off light cigarettes, so I moved up to filters (Marlboro, L&M). The taste was just as good, I still received that first cigarette nicotine buzz, and the draw was nearly identical. (People ask why I don't just smoke lights instead of smoking filters with the Targard. Read on...)

The ultimate test came after a night at the bar. Within a few hours at the bar I'll smoke 5-7 cigarettes, and what bothered me the most about regular cigarettes (lights or filters) was the morning after breath, yellow tongue, and tickle in the back of my throat. That alone forced me to quit smoking a couple times. With the Targard there is none of that--even with filters. (It feels as though I didn't even smoke the night before.)

Cleaning is simple. Just some rubbing alcohol, a few q-tips, a paper towel, and running water. Takes five minutes, if not less.

I've noticed improvements with my breathing and stamina when I ride my bike. And like I said before, I can't taste the cigarette five minutes after smoking one. I know it's not necessarily a "safe" alternative to smoking regular cigarettes, but after cleaning the black gunk left behind from 10-12 smokes, you have to wonder you're doing something "healthier."

Give it a shot.

I bought this to use until I can afford the e-cig. It's awesome, yet gross at the same time. The pictures of the "smoker's lungs" in Health class never worked, watching my grandfather die slowly and painfully from emphysema didn't work....but it's just plain disgusting to actually see what is going into my lungs with one single cigarette. GRODIE. Good product, easy to clean.

I just purchased 9 Targard and a couple of bags of O-rings for close family members. They range in age from 17-50.

I started smoking (in 1951-2) when I was 9 or 10 years old (inhaling at 11-12 ) with Old Golds and in high school switched to Pall Malls then after college and educated switched again to filtered brand (but still very strong). I was at 2-3 pack in my later 20s when my father had his first heart attach (which was attributed to smoking and diet).

I started using the Targard and was so surprised to see, smell and taste all the crap that "was" going into my lungs. My dad died of a massive heart attack about 5-6 months later. I truly believe that because I had involved sight-smell and taste that when I stopped smoking it was very easy. I was about to open my third pack for the day (1973) and at that moment I said enough. I carried that unopened pack with me for two days and at work someone came and ask for a cigarette and I GAVE THEM THE PACK AND THAT WAS ALMOST FOURTY (40) YEARS AGO. I NEVER HAD ANOTHER CIGARETTE.