Customer Reviews

8 Foot Deluxe Beach Umbrella Combo Set - Includes Easy Go Storage Bag - UPF 50+ Sun Protection!

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

We went to the beach on the Atlantic coast on a very hot and windy day. This umbrella covered my husband and me plus our cooler easily. It has venting on the top to let the air flow through and to keep it from toppling over. This thing is so strong, it didn't even budge in the strong wind. It is made from heavy duty material and we didn't even need the umbrella 'anchor' we bought separately. (it has too large of a pole to even use the 'anchor') The pole on this umbrella screws into the sand nicely and is easy enough for a weak person to do. It comes in 2 pieces. The colors are very nice and it is easy to spot from a distance because of it's size and design. By the way, the carrying pouch makes it a breeze to carry and is convenient. Also, the umbrella has a bar to hang goggles, shirts, etc (it wasn't meant for that, but it works anyway) Overall, this umbrella is well worth the cost! I felt a little guilty watching all the other umbrellas fly inside out and blow over in the wind!

I live in south Florida and I can normally go to the beach most of the year, except this winter which was exceptionally cold. You folks up north this is your time to get out there and get some rays. Of course you don't want to over do it and stay in the sun to long. That's where this beautiful colorful Beach Umbrella Set comes in handy. You will be the envy of every one on the beach with this multiple color beauty. The 8 foot span on this will keep two people and a cooler cool, and out of the sun.

I don't go to the beach that often but when I do, I don't leave home without this umbrella. It's not to large, heavy or cumbersome to take with me since it breaks down into two pieces. The whole thing fits into the storage bag that comes with it and is easy to carry.

When you reach the perfect spot on the beach with the right neighbors and the right view, just slide this umbrella out of its bag and put the two pole pieces togeather. Now just screw the pole into the sand, it has a screw end on it. With most other beach umbrellas you have to buy a separate screw in anchor, not this one it comes with it. TIP:: If you moisten and pat down the area around where the pole goes into the sand the umbrella will be more stable. " Not to wet though ".

The upper part will tilt so you can adjust it, depending on where the sun is coming from. Also if it is windy there is a flap in the center of the umbrella that opens to let the wind through, so your umbrella does not blow away. Of course if its a real windy day and you get a huge gust of wind this umbrella is going to fly just like the rest of them. You just have to pick your days when you go to the beach. If you where at a salt water beach, don't forget to rinse your umbrella off with fresh water when you get home. Salt will corrode most anything in time, and that aluminum pole is no exception.

I am very satisfied with the construction of this umbrella. The material is fairly heavy and the rest of it seems to be study and well made also. A very nice attractive and well made Beach Umbrella at a reasonable price. Although I have noticed the further into beach season you get the higher the price goes. I guess the best time to buy this is in the winter.

UPDATE:::: Just read SteveH's new Feb. 2011 review, and he says the new 2011 model does not come with a screw base. You are going to have to do your own homework on that since that was a major plus for this umbrella.

I saw the reviews and description and ordered 4 of these umbrellas still wondering "is this going to be more made in china cra* that breaks after 2 weeks??" WOW these umbrellas are great... the little drill mount on the bottom of the post screws easily into the sand (even Florida white, dry, fine sand) and it holds that umbrella in even pretty strong winds. People around us were watching their umbrellas fly away and all four of ours stayed firmly put. Set up is a breeze - just a minute or two, and the umbrella is large enough for two people to sit comfortably. It tilts and the colors are great. Good sun protection. Overall I can't think of a single complaint (except the price has gone up $15 per umbrella since we ordered). We found that ordering 3-4 of these is the same price of our usual beach canopy, and the umbrellas are much easier to set up and much better in wind.

Highly recommended!!!!
PS - Just found that this umbrella is available at Sam's Club for $24.99!

When I purchased this umbrella last year, it included a screw base that worked well to secure it in the sand. Although the website description hasn't changed, the 2011 model replaced the screw with a simple plastic point. Sam's Club (which also sold last year's model) has significantly reduced the price consistent with the lesser product.

If you're like me, you've probably read the description and the reviews for this umbrella, and you're not sure what you're actually going to receive if you order it. If you pay attention to the dates on the reviews, you will see that the newer model does NOT have a screw-in base. Today is 6-14-2011 and I ordered a separate Sand Anchor at the same time "just in case". I'm glad I did. This umbrella fits the Sand Anchor very well.

Although I just received this today and haven't actually used it yet, it seems very well made compared to the smaller junky umbrellas for sale in my local department stores. We are heading to the beach next week, so I'll update this review after I've used it.

***UPDATE***
We just got back from a week at the beach. The umbrealla and Rio Sports Sand Anchor worked great. Our first day was REALLY windy. Several people had to close their umbrellas, but ours held up well. I took a small shovel and dug down about 8" in the sand before screwing in the sand anchor, then packed more in around it. The umbrella is made very well and provided great shade for us. Good investment.

The first day on the beach was a disaster with this umbrella. First I tried to screw the lower pole into soft white sand of sunset beach, NC. Half way down I felt something snap..I pulled out the umbrella bottom pole and the screw end was gone !! I dug down and found it. It sheared off where it meets the metal pole. So I bought a beach screw locally. Day 2 a little windy..The top pole slides on to the bottom pole, no attachment to lock it in. So I found myself chasing the umbrella like a jerk down the beach.

Day 3 Found the nearest UPS store and shipped back to amazon with NO problems..

Not Amazons fault, for a $61 umbrella I expect shade not aggrivation.

This umbrella is huge!!!

My husband, daughter and I are all able to fit under the umbrella in our respective chairs, plus have a cooler, blanket & toys.

Pros:
- Umbrella is one of the largest we've seen. It's comparable in size to the ones you can rent on the beach... and significantly cheaper (to buy) if you're going to be at the beach more than a few days.
- The air vent on the top of the umbrella does allow air to pass through reducing the toppling of the umbrella.
- The colors are very vivid and cheerful. My daughter (who's 2) thought it was very cool. =)

Cons:
- The umbrella is approx 5.5lbs (as noted in the description). I knew this going in, but it's still a little on the heavy side. Given the size though this probably makes it more neutral than a con.
- We found the sand anchor at the bottom of the umbrella pretty useless. I had to dig a hole about 18" deep and then put the umbrella in, in order to keep it from toppling over or blowing away. This is frustrating as you can't use another attachment at the bottom to insert the umbrella into the sand. The description indicates that you need to buy an optional sand anchor - Our umbrella came with it already attached to the bottom pole. There was no choice but to have it. Given the choice I'd recommend you NOT get one with the sand anchor already a part of the assembly. You'll then be able to pick an anchor that works well.

Overall I'd recommend the umbrella due to the size it covers - just be warned about the anchor.

Bottom pole with auger tip keeps umbrella stable in the wind. Cross-bar on pole makes it easy to screw it down into lawns or hard sand. Cross bar also doubles as a holder for items you want to keep off the sand.

The umbrella did not come with a separate sand grabber as advertised as part of the combo set. We have been using it on the beach all week and forget it - it blows over no matter how deep we knock it in and it almost takes out an eye from anyone sitting around you on the beach. With an umbrella this big and a pole this wide, a better sand grabber is a must. We had to buy two separate sand grabbers for $15.00 each and use two bungee cords to tie the umbrella to the sand grabbers. It does not fit into the sand grabber because of the grooved "sand grabber" bottom of the pole, which is way insufficient.

I first saw this umbrella on our beach and asked the person where they bought it because I thought it was large, beautiful and colorful. I love the fact that the screw bottom eliminated the need to bring an extra sand anchor--it's two in one--very convenient. It's lightweight and easy to carry with the storage bag. Because of the size we now just bring the one umbrella (instead of two)to the beach and it provides sufficient sun protection. All in all, I love it.