Mine works fine. Sent two out to other people but have not heard any status reports. To bend plexi all you need is heat. You can use a heat coil from a dryer heat gun or a blow torch if you practice. I used a heat gun.
It lasts about three times as long between fillings. Better? Not sure how to answer that. Is longer times between fillings better? The polymers are supposed to help in removing excess humidity as well but I cant say that was a problem I was having.