I just bought one of these last week with the ice maker, been running it on my 140ah deep cycle for 3 days at zero degrees as an experiment, batteries currently sitting at 75% I'm pretty surprised to be honest.
We've got a few videos planned for this, boobtubebooboo, we'll ad comparisons to out list though. Hopefully we will have more content ready in the not too distant future. ~ Ben
We have discussed how we can effectively show this in a video, hipa1310, but haven't come up with a reliable method yet. We thing we will maybe use a decibel meter and fire all the fridges up at once. This is on the cards for us to do as soon as we can. ~ Ben
Wonderful fridge/freezer, but at least here in the States your hosed if it breaks down. Spare parts like a thermistor or control unit are made of pure Unobtanium. It's a bit ridiculous, like buying a car and finding out you can't get replacement tires or headlights for it. I'm now the proud owner of a $1,000+, 21kg ice box... and it's still under warranty, only a year old. If Dometic/Waeco can't supply spare parts my feeling is they should simply replace it with a new unit, they have plenty of those on hand.
Dometic are generally well serviced across the country down here in Australia, Ed, I'm surprised that you are having trouble. Hope it gets sorted for you before too long. ~ Ben
@SnowysOutdoors I imagine it will. Just made me a bit tight. It failed in the middle of an otherwise enjoyable getaway with my wife. I'm having to rely on an old thermoelectric cooler from years back until this gets sorted.
Any videos anywhere showing the loudness of the top selling compressor fridge/freezers side by side? Everybody talks about how quiet they are buy never show it. Then you read somewhere that certain ones are loud. 🤔
Good question, rus1058, I'm not sure how well this would come up on video without the use of reliable volume testing devices. I've never noticed any of these to be particularly louder than any others, although I'm sure there is a difference though. They all have a hum whilst running and certainly sound louder at night when everything else is quiet. ~ Ben
Honestly, very close to buying one of these Or a 45L I saw the new model at a camp show and they honestly look and perform a lot better. Better lid. The compressor is actually at the back this time with the smaller space on top and the larger spaces at the front. The older CFX models, you reach over the smaller shallower space (which isn't actually cooled thus dead space) to access the more important larger spaces where the majority of your items will be. I just can't comprehend the price of a new Engel which is essentially the same but $400 more expensive... My only concern is the noise whilst in use as it will be sitting in my Van next to my bed. I'm assuming a low him, but if I do purchase I will update.
The noise is in line with any other fridge, El Scruffo McScruffy, so no dramas there. Price is high at the moment, roughly in line with Engel though, only downside is that there are no covers available right now making an Engel purchase better value. ~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors that's true. No cover included which is stupid. And at $200 does a cover actually make a difference? Still can't justify the cost of an Engel...
@@elscruffomcscruffy8371 I have this fridge and couldn't be happier, quiet and performs flawlessly. I have the cover as well and it's clunky and not as form-fitting as I would expect it to be so if I were to do it over again, I wouldn't purchase the cover. It looks nice but that is about it. Doesn't seem to provide any extra insulation as one might expect. My favorite thing about this model is the ice maker. Living in a desert, we use it frequently to make cocktails and if we really wanna tie one on we go through several batches of ice an evening. Great product through and through.
At its very core, it's still a fridge/freezer and in this sense it achieves the same purpose as previous models, andrewford80. The latest model, however, has some improvements in design and usability such as a better location for the USB plug, a more streamlined design, more ergonomic latch and features both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity on all models, not to mention a completely new control panel. It's just another step in the evolution of Dometic fridges. ~ Ben
It requires access to a 12v or 240v power supply @Dobby Rules. The best bet when choosing a fridge is to measure the space you have available and look at fridges that will fit within that space. We have the dimensions of all the fridges we sell on our website, so that will be a good resource for you. ~ Lauren
You can reverse the hinge direction of the lid on the CFX3 fridges, rms qquino, but the hinge will always be along one of the long sides. I hope that makes sense. ~ Ben
Sorry for the delay on this, pipe2p, I had to get some measurements for you. The handle itself is bang on 20 cm long. For what it's worth, the measurement from the top of the handle to the base of the fridge is 27 cm, or about 29cm if the straps were on an angle. I hope that helps. ~ Ben
Comparing this to the Dometic CFF 45, the one I am looking at, is it any better or worse? Im looking at the CFF 45 specifically because of the size (its probably the best fit for my SUV) and because it opens on both sides! But which is better performing?
The CFF is more of a basic version of the CFX which has wifi connection and remote control through an app, plus a deep freeze as it cranks to -22*c. The CFX also has a slightly longer warranty and alloy handles, etc compared to the CFF's full plastic body. Their general specs and power consumptions are much of a muchness. ~ Lauren
@@SnowysOutdoors Okay, cool! I dont really need wifi control for a fridge (lol), no need for handles as I will be taking them off so it seems okay with me. Hopefully it just doesn't use more power and is less efficient
You certainly can, Jon, it does involve swapping the hinges from one side to the other but it's pretty straight forward and all outlined in the user manual. ~ Ben
Great review. Could you measure the temperature which is achieved by the ice maker? Think about buying it and put some ice cream into the ice maker compartment. But for this I need to know which temperature is achieved by the ice maker compartment.
I don't reckon ice-cream would store very well if you were relying purely on the ice maker feature, Kevin. Rather than a compartment, it's a freezing element that gets colder than the rest of the fridge and freezes the water in trays that rest on top of it, so it's a little hard to measure the temp. The ice trays are thin, I reckon if you tried to freeze something thicker on top if would stay frozen on the bottom but soft at the top. Long story short, if you want to store ice-cream, you'd be best using the whole unit as a freezer. ~ Ben
We noticed that too, TJ, albeit a little too late as we'd already posted the video. Seems the Waeco name will stick around for some time yet, it's the name on the tip of many tongues and we still unintentionally revert to using it when making comparisons with other brands. ~ Ben
Surprisingly, there's not a huge demand for that feature! Dometic do really value consumer feedback though, so it might be a great idea to shoot them an email! ~ Lauren
I am sold thank you. A good showing and review
Thanks, Dirty Dee, I'm glad it was useful. ~ Ben
You are a great product reviewer. Thank you.
Thanks, Corn Belt, I'll pass this feedback onto Kev. ~ Ben
I just bought one of these last week with the ice maker, been running it on my 140ah deep cycle for 3 days at zero degrees as an experiment, batteries currently sitting at 75% I'm pretty surprised to be honest.
Great feedback. ~ Ben
Great video thanks guys!
You're welcome, Daniel. ~ Ben
Good review, thank you
No worries!
~ Lauren
I wish you could put the 55, 45, and the 35 side by side so we can see the size comparison....
We've got a few videos planned for this, boobtubebooboo, we'll ad comparisons to out list though. Hopefully we will have more content ready in the not too distant future. ~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors The comparison video is ready?
@@smoke9136 it'snot sorry, we have a long list and this one isn't a high priority sorry. We'll do what we can as soon as we can. ~ Ben
I would like to hear refrigerator running, how noisy it does is?
We have discussed how we can effectively show this in a video, hipa1310, but haven't come up with a reliable method yet. We thing we will maybe use a decibel meter and fire all the fridges up at once. This is on the cards for us to do as soon as we can. ~ Ben
hipa1310 nearly silent
Wonderful fridge/freezer, but at least here in the States your hosed if it breaks down. Spare parts like a thermistor or control unit are made of pure Unobtanium. It's a bit ridiculous, like buying a car and finding out you can't get replacement tires or headlights for it. I'm now the proud owner of a $1,000+, 21kg ice box... and it's still under warranty, only a year old. If Dometic/Waeco can't supply spare parts my feeling is they should simply replace it with a new unit, they have plenty of those on hand.
Dometic are generally well serviced across the country down here in Australia, Ed, I'm surprised that you are having trouble. Hope it gets sorted for you before too long. ~ Ben
@SnowysOutdoors I imagine it will. Just made me a bit tight. It failed in the middle of an otherwise enjoyable getaway with my wife. I'm having to rely on an old thermoelectric cooler from years back until this gets sorted.
@@emagowan bugger, sorry you've had that experience. ~ Ben
@SnowysOutdoors Dometic made good on the warranty. Replacement cooler was delivered this morning. Kudos to them.
@@emagowan good stuff! ~ Ben
Any videos anywhere showing the loudness of the top selling compressor fridge/freezers side by side? Everybody talks about how quiet they are buy never show it. Then you read somewhere that certain ones are loud.
🤔
Good question, rus1058, I'm not sure how well this would come up on video without the use of reliable volume testing devices. I've never noticed any of these to be particularly louder than any others, although I'm sure there is a difference though. They all have a hum whilst running and certainly sound louder at night when everything else is quiet.
~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors appreciate your reply!!
Honestly, very close to buying one of these Or a 45L I saw the new model at a camp show and they honestly look and perform a lot better. Better lid.
The compressor is actually at the back this time with the smaller space on top and the larger spaces at the front. The older CFX models, you reach over the smaller shallower space (which isn't actually cooled thus dead space) to access the more important larger spaces where the majority of your items will be.
I just can't comprehend the price of a new Engel which is essentially the same but $400 more expensive...
My only concern is the noise whilst in use as it will be sitting in my Van next to my bed. I'm assuming a low him, but if I do purchase I will update.
The noise is in line with any other fridge, El Scruffo McScruffy, so no dramas there. Price is high at the moment, roughly in line with Engel though, only downside is that there are no covers available right now making an Engel purchase better value. ~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors that's true. No cover included which is stupid. And at $200 does a cover actually make a difference?
Still can't justify the cost of an Engel...
@@elscruffomcscruffy8371 I have this fridge and couldn't be happier, quiet and performs flawlessly. I have the cover as well and it's clunky and not as form-fitting as I would expect it to be so if I were to do it over again, I wouldn't purchase the cover. It looks nice but that is about it. Doesn't seem to provide any extra insulation as one might expect. My favorite thing about this model is the ice maker. Living in a desert, we use it frequently to make cocktails and if we really wanna tie one on we go through several batches of ice an evening. Great product through and through.
Aside from the icemaker, is it really that different to the older CFX from a functional point of view?
Only in price 😁
At its very core, it's still a fridge/freezer and in this sense it achieves the same purpose as previous models, andrewford80.
The latest model, however, has some improvements in design and usability such as a better location for the USB plug, a more streamlined design, more ergonomic latch and features both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity on all models, not to mention a completely new control panel.
It's just another step in the evolution of Dometic fridges.
~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors Thanks Ben , for that comprehensive reply.
Hi would this fridge work without being plugged in to power or what fridge would you recommend I got a 2011 Hyundai i30 thank you 😊
It requires access to a 12v or 240v power supply @Dobby Rules. The best bet when choosing a fridge is to measure the space you have available and look at fridges that will fit within that space. We have the dimensions of all the fridges we sell on our website, so that will be a good resource for you.
~ Lauren
Does it open right to left? I plan on putting it on the driver side of my 4runner in the back. I have a slight passenger lean, that us why.
You can reverse the hinge direction of the lid on the CFX3 fridges, rms qquino, but the hinge will always be along one of the long sides. I hope that makes sense. ~ Ben
I'm debating on this model or the 45 for a 2019 Wrangler JL. Does anyone have any insight on what would fit and how much space it takes?
I'm not going to be able to help sorry, yeld, hopefully someone else had some input for you. ~ Ben
Do you by any chance know the handle length? trying to see if the ARB tie down would work on these.
Sorry for the delay on this, pipe2p, I had to get some measurements for you.
The handle itself is bang on 20 cm long. For what it's worth, the measurement from the top of the handle to the base of the fridge is 27 cm, or about 29cm if the straps were on an angle.
I hope that helps.
~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors thanks for the reply Ben!!
Comparing this to the Dometic CFF 45, the one I am looking at, is it any better or worse?
Im looking at the CFF 45 specifically because of the size (its probably the best fit for my SUV) and because it opens on both sides!
But which is better performing?
The CFF is more of a basic version of the CFX which has wifi connection and remote control through an app, plus a deep freeze as it cranks to -22*c. The CFX also has a slightly longer warranty and alloy handles, etc compared to the CFF's full plastic body.
Their general specs and power consumptions are much of a muchness.
~ Lauren
@@SnowysOutdoors Okay, cool!
I dont really need wifi control for a fridge (lol), no need for handles as I will be taking them off so it seems okay with me. Hopefully it just doesn't use more power and is less efficient
You should be fine on the power consumption / efficiency front @Michael Frymus, so I wouldn't stress about that.
~ Lauren
Hey Kevin on this model can you switch the way the lid opens
You certainly can, Jon, it does involve swapping the hinges from one side to the other but it's pretty straight forward and all outlined in the user manual. ~ Ben
Are the handles removable?
They are, Mountain Man, you'll just need an Allen key to remove them. ~ Ben
Great review. Could you measure the temperature which is achieved by the ice maker? Think about buying it and put some ice cream into the ice maker compartment. But for this I need to know which temperature is achieved by the ice maker compartment.
I don't reckon ice-cream would store very well if you were relying purely on the ice maker feature, Kevin. Rather than a compartment, it's a freezing element that gets colder than the rest of the fridge and freezes the water in trays that rest on top of it, so it's a little hard to measure the temp.
The ice trays are thin, I reckon if you tried to freeze something thicker on top if would stay frozen on the bottom but soft at the top.
Long story short, if you want to store ice-cream, you'd be best using the whole unit as a freezer.
~ Ben
How much ?
You can see current procing on our website, Victor - www.snowys.com.au/cfx3-55im-portable-fridge-freezer-with-ice-maker. ~ Ben
Did anyone else pick up that he said Waco at the start of the video
We noticed that too, TJ, albeit a little too late as we'd already posted the video. Seems the Waeco name will stick around for some time yet, it's the name on the tip of many tongues and we still unintentionally revert to using it when making comparisons with other brands. ~ Ben
It’s awful that the ice maker doesn’t come on the larger models. 75, 95 not even the 100. Poor design and development.
Surprisingly, there's not a huge demand for that feature! Dometic do really value consumer feedback though, so it might be a great idea to shoot them an email!
~ Lauren
Great review. Thanks.
No worries @Hunter Luxton, will pass on your feedback to Kevin!
~ Lauren