Carefree Humidifier Plus?

Perhaps the fact it's 'made in China' should have been a clue, but after a week of use, I am not only disappointed, but I'm willing to stand in lines built up since Christmas to return it!  Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against China, but seriously, with the lead in the toys recently, one should take precautions when there is a readily available alternative. And there are.

If I needed a humidifier to feel more comfortable at home; I was sold on this particular one, Hunter's Care Free Humidifier Plus, because I would not have to clean so rigorously nor worry about mold growing inside anywhere.

Let's start from the beginning...
Our lives are filled with COPD, three cases of asthma, three people with extremely dry skin, five people with severe allergies, and stress level through the roof (for instance, our head of household was attacked night before last while serving in Iraq). We have certain needs; one of them being water in the air. Just a little. It's dry here, in this elevated and sometimes snow-covered desert.

A vaporizer SEEMS smarter, but does not work the same for us. I've actually waited a few months to find the right solution. Once the season of the day 'round heater came, I knew I found the "right" humidifier. Price was not a concern, since it would be something to last and to use for a long time, but it was one of the higher priced humidifiers at a discount mega super store.

What led me to this humidifier, forsaking all the rest?
One thing I hate about the old-fashioned vaporizers and humidifiers is the cleaning. There is ALWAYS dirt and grime and tiny rocks at the bottom. The way they are made makes it hurt to get your hand in there to really clean it out and the grit, grime, and water does not easily POUR out. I have no idea who thought up that particular design, but it could not have been a genius. Hunter, however, did use a genius.

They claim they've been here since 1886. Who am I to differ (and I certainly do not intend to research that much)? Furthermore, they promised me I never needed to replace a filter (that's five bloody knives out of five), the antimicrobial properties will inhibit the growth of mold (another five out of five), and it looks good.

Price has nothing to do with my decision to purchase this humidifier over any other, after all, there were a few simple models for about twenty dollars less. In hindsight, those may have been worth more than their asking price. But that low maintenance called out to me. Loudly. I succumbed.

At home
~Pros:
~easy to set up
~looks good
~feels clean
~lightweight, even with highest amount of water added
~cleans safely in the dishwasher
~can fill in pretty much any sink, including the bathtub
~runs up to 24 hours
~runs quietly
~no visible water spots or wet spots near or far away from humidifier
~has three fan speeds
~good for rooms up to 1175 square feet (this is FABULOUS)

Cons:
Hunter's humidifier is easy to set up. Read the directions in a few minutes, fill up, run on high for a bit, then go for broke. No, really. Because this thing may work, you can feel the air, though you cannot see it, but you cannot feel any water. None. It's a cool breeze, but not cool like water is in it, cool like it's 2 degrees outside and I have a stream of air coming out of this electronic contraption and it happens to not be warm air.  It also cost double or more than all the others available at the same store. Cannot think of a better way to explain it.

We need, however, to feel great (i.e. we need WATER in our air!). No matter that everything else on the contraption is perfect and suited to us and our lifestyle, we just weren't feeling it.

And that, my dear, is why:
True Crime Fanatic (with Reality Bytes) rated the Hunter Fan 3302 Humidifier two bloody knives out of five.