To my mind flexwatt has always been a poor option, its advantages are focused on the keeper and not the kept so to speak. There are a number of UTH made that are superior in most ways. It is really important to see someone addressing the issues flexwatt has and attempting to alter some.

Lets face it is is the simplest product around. It is hard to make something that replaces it that does not resemble it. There are what 3 parts to the heater (bus, carbon element, and laminations) and 3 (attachment, cable and switch) to the optional cord/connectors?

Rob... -25ºC (-13ºF) with wind chill this morning and I am outside most of the day today working.