Outdoor a/c (aka swamp cooler) - anyone have luck with these?

[Riverstyx]

I have a screened in patio with tall walls on all four sides, so not much breeze.  In the summertime here in Florida, a fan isn't enough to do the trick.  Every year I've considered purchasing a swamp cooler to keep a small area cool outside (maybe 400 sq ft).  Has anyone had success with these?  Any recommendations?  I looked at a Big Ass Fans version (its fans are awesome) but the company's poor return policy has prevented me from purchasing.

[El Presidente]

I believe "swamp cooler" is an evaporative air cooler. 

My understanding/experience with evaporative air coolers is that they don't work in areas of high humidity.  We will no doubt have some specialists in the house 

[Riverstyx]

34 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

I believe "swamp cooler" is an evaporative air cooler. 

My understanding/experience with evaporative air coolers is that they don't work in areas of high humidity.  We will no doubt have some specialists in the house 

I'm told that they still work in areas of high humidity, only not as well.  Color me skeptical but I'd love to have someone convince me otherwise.

[Enduin]

Not only that, but in summertime in Florida the humidity is already a bit too high for most cigars, adding extra moisture in the surrounding air with an evaporative cooler sounds counterproductive...

For the summer in (Central) Florida I either smoke outside in the evening when the humidity is super high but the temperature is usually reasonable, or I smoke outside during the day when the humidity is a little more reasonable but it's freaking hot. And I cover myself with Picaridin to ward off mosquitoes. And I sit in the shade under a big tree which helps tremendously with the heat.

Ultimately summer smoking in Florida should be indoors only but I hate smoking indoors, so I'd rather deal with the elements...

[Habana Mike]

I’m glad central and coastal Florida are two different places!
 

Moved down in early August and spend all my time outside. Between the breeze and the fans it has yet to be unbearable. 
 

Colorado is perfectly suited for swamp coolers. In many cases that is the only cooling system, other than a whole house fan, that is installed.  

[JumpAZ]

El Presidente is correct, they only really work when the humidity is low. I use one here in Arizona to good effect in the summer time to cool my garage, but once the monsoon season hits it really doesn't work. In that case I use the fan only and leave the water pump off. Also, you need good return airflow for it to work well, so outside is fine or leave some windows cracked if inside. Very popular cooling solution here in the arid southwest USA. Justin