Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

After using a Coleman 2.6 gallon portable potty in a pop-up camper for 10 years, we have bought and used a Thetford 550P Porta Potti, and are very happy with our purchase. I have uploaded three images so you can compare the two units. The Coleman we had is similar to a Century 6205 2.6 gallon portable toilet. I will try to describe in plain terms why we like the Thetford so much compared to a unit similar to the Coleman size and design. 1) Toilet seat size and shape: this is the #1 feature for us. We are average-size adults (okay, we could both stand to lose 10 pounds or so) and both find the larger, oval-shape seat more comfortable to use than the smaller, rounder seat of the Coleman. My husband noted that the oval seat, as well as the deeper bowl, accommodates a guy well. 2) Height: Thetford is as high as the toilets in our house (16.5 inches), making it easier to sit down. 3) Piston pump flush vs. bellows flush: quieter, and a stronger flushing swirl in the bowel, though that might be attributed more to design features of the Thetford. 4) Locking mechanism between the fresh water tank and the waste water tank: the mechanism is a recessed latch in the back, instead of those annoying external side-locking flaps of the Coleman. 5) Rotating pour spout for the waste water tank: the spout does make it easy to empty. Other observations: 1) Odor-free waste water tank: there was no odor from the tank after nine days' use, surprising to me because I have been used to a bit of a smell after three days' use of the Coleman. I used the same liquid deodorant for both, so perhaps the larger waste water tank needing more deodorizer has something to do with it. 2) Overall dimensions: my husband had to make the porta potty cabinet in our camper a little deeper to accommodate the depth of the Thetford, but it is worth it. Also, neither tank fits into my laundry room sink to fill as I did with the Coleman, so now I use a yard hose to fill them. Not necessarily bad, just different for now. 3) Large capacity fresh water tank: I made the mistake of filling it close to full, making the porta potti very heavy. I poured out most of the water when we got back home. 4. The box was mislabled, as some other reviewers have noted, indicating there was a hold-down kit included when it wasn't. That isn't an issue for us, but it could be for others. 5. The box says the fresh water tank holds 4.0 gallons and the waste water tank holds 5.5 gallons. The dimensions are listed as 16.5"H x 15"W x 16.5"D. The average number of flushes is 56.