Customer Reviews

Cool Lux EC60BC Eclipse Umbrella - Cool Lux 909317

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I should start by saying that I did not buy this from amazon because I had credit at another store to use, but I always like the reviews here, so I'm posting one.

This is my first shoot through umbrella, and I thought it would be cool to have the option to use as a reflector as well. Overall, I think it's a decent product for the reasonable price. I do have 2 issues though. When I took off the black cover (surprisingly easy) 2 of the 8 caps that hold the white material also popped off the frame, and they won't stay on unless the umbrella is open, keeping the tension on them. The black material caps are always pretty tight, even when collapsed. Also, after putting the cover back on (which would normally be easy if the inner caps stayed on), the two layers of material don't mesh together like before, and the umbrella does not collapse well enough to even get the strap around to reach the Velcro.

All that said, the softness of the light from this both as reflector and shoot through are great, and since I mostly plan to use as shoot through, I'll simply leave the black cover off, and no problems collapsing it then. I'd say it's worth the low price for the amateur / hobby photographer like me.

This thing is big! Great quality for the price. Provides total coverage and very nice diffused light. I have to mention to be careful in windy environments with this umbrella, because if you aren't careful you could find yourself flying away like Mary Poppins. Probably best to keep this one indoors on a breezy day.

This umbrella is not the best made. However, it does do the job its intended to do. And at the price, you get what you pay for.

I reinforced the shaft with a fiberglass shaft. I purchased a 48" reflective driveway marker (Hillman) at my local bigbox hardware. It has a 1/4" outside diameter. Use pliers to carefully remove the nub on the umbrella. I then had to use a 1/4" drill bit to in the shaft (On low speed) to remove some dried glue. Shove fiberglass shaft all the way in and mark the end. Remove and cut FG shaft 3/16 short (To accommodate the nub). Insert FG shaft back in umbrella shaft (You will need to use the drill bit or the leftover FG shaft to push shaft in. Replace nub. Wah-lah - reinforced shaft.

Nice product for the price. The only flaw was that the inner fabric which attaches to all umbrella ribs detached in one spot. I don't believe this impacts the function.