My wifes asthma won't let her sit around a fire in a regular fire pit anymore, so we bought one of the Solos also. What little smoke they do give off isn't enough to make her cough at night. It sure isn't enough to bother adjoining campsites.
That being said, we have only been able to use it once and that was at a state park campground because of fire bans where we usually go. It is nice to be around a wood fire again, the propane fire pit just doesn't give off the heat. Before you call a propane fire pit a "fake", stick your hand in it. That fire is REAL! LOL!