Customer Reviews

TropiShade TropiLight 9-Foot Bronze Aluminum Lighted Canvas Market Umbrella

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Our large back patio can be seen from almost every part of the house, and we use it every day like an extra room. But only a small portion is covered to provide shade, and we like having the table out by the pond so we can see the water birds and ducks. After having to avoid the patio due to the intense heat for almost a month last summer, we decided we needed a patio umbrella. But everything we found around town was over $125. I bought this umbrella for my husband last Christmas when it was on sale. But now that we've had it a while, I would definitely say that even at it's regular price it's a great bargain!

The umbrella has three components: the top pole section with canopy, lights (located on the ribs), thermometer, and power button for the lights; the bottom pole section with a small socket for the A/C cord located about two-thirds of the way up the pole; and the electrical A/C adapter. We set the bottom part of the umbrella pole through the center of our patio table and secured it in an inexpensive, basic, cast-iron umbrella stand from a local hardware store (not one of the burly ones). With this set up, we haven't had a single issue with stability, despite the swirling winds we get on our walled back patio. While we have run out to take down the top section in a few of our windiest summer storms here in Florida, it has also withstood without injury a handful of summer storms that sprung up when we weren't home. The vent at the top seems to do an excellent job reducing the "lift" forces that take our neighbors' umbrellas and toss them across the back yard. We only take it down in storms to err on the side of caution.

One small issue to be aware of: Using a base added an extra inch or two to the height of the pole. This affected the position of the socket where the electrical cord plugs into the pole. With our set up, the socket is just barely below the table surface, making it a little harder to plug in the power cord (we don't leave ours plugged in all the time). If you use a base AND your table is lower than 28 inches, then you might have issues with the hole in the table covering the plug opening, or the plug being located above the table surface. However, the plug itself only protrudes a little bit (less than half cm) when plugged in, so the hole in most tables should be able to accommodate the pole and the plug and/or cord if your table is lower than 28 inches.

Since we usually only use the patio in the evenings in the winter, we stored the top section in an umbrella cover (Veranda Patio Umbrella Cover 78902, Pebble, Fits Umbrellas up to 125" Diameter) and kept it under the small covered part of our back patio for most of the winter and spring. We left the lower section right where it was in the middle of the table. After it had sat out in the elements for a few months, I noticed some slight rust on the electrical connection "snap" on the lower section of the pole where the two poles fit together, but not where you can see it once it is assembled.

In May, we pulled the top part out if it's storage bag and clicked it into place--it is super easy to put the top on and take it off, and one person can do it with ease in a matter of seconds. Next you just have to plug in the A/C cord, connect the other end to an outdoor extension cord, press the on button on the pole, and voila: instant ambiance! And despite the exposure to elements and slight rust on the electrical connection, the lights came on just fine and have worked like a charm whenever we've needed them all summer.

There are three settings for the lights, but the two blinking settings we have affectionately nicknamed "casino lights" and "carnival midway"; neither create the atmosphere I was want for my patio. On the "constant on" setting however, the lights provide excellent lighting and ambiance for a romantic dinner, and also helps my husband see where everything is located on the table when he's cooking on the grill nearby. Everyone who eats at our house loves the lights on the umbrella.

As for the canopy itself, it has endured the intense Florida sun on our hot, brick patio for the entire summer, and it still looks as good as new. And it does exactly what it's supposed to: provide shade! We have two remote, digital thermometer sensors on our patio, one in full sun and the other that sits on the table under the patio umbrella. There is almost always a 15-20 degree difference between the two! When it's 105 in the sun, we can still enjoy 88 degrees in the shade under the patio umbrella.

I have neighbors that throw out their patio umbrella every year due to discoloration, rips, bent pole, etc., so I wasn't expecting ours to last at this great price. But our umbrella looks as good as the day my husband opened it last December (2009), and it really completes the look of our patio. We are even considering investing in another one to shade additional corner of our large patio!

We like this umbrella. Even in fairly high winds, it was a good shade. The way the lights can give a show was an unexpcted delight.
The base did not show up for a couple days, which was annoying but not terrible.

Heavy construction; well made. It gives off a good ambient light. The settings for blinking lights are kind of useless unless you are planning on hosting a disco party. Long cord for the plug, but has a bit of a cumbersome surge protector. Easy to set up and install. I would re-buy.

Purchased this umbrella in 2005, love the aluminum pole. crank and lights. I purchased this when on special and got a great deal, am purchasing another one and will gladly pay the price as we live where we use it year round.

I sunburn so easily you would think I have no pigment at all. My significant other use to make jokes about how he could use my pasty white tummy as a night light if he wanted to. Luckily I live in the Pacific Northwest, so we very rarely see the burning sky demon. The past two weeks have been absolutely beautiful but I couldn't really go outside and ENJOY my yard. Umbrella to the rescue! I put it up and actually worked from home under my umbrella twice last week. My body is rejoicing from the boost of Vitamin D in my system. It is large enough that I can spend hours outside and not have to worry about getting burned. My neighbors have already commented on how much they like it and are getting one themselves. The crank to open and close the umbrella works very smoothly. The lights are very subtle. Bright enough so you can see the person you are talking to, but not so bright that your eyes lose their night vision. I agree with the other reviews that the blinky mode is truly obnoxious...but just don't use it. An unexpected bonus is that it's helping keep my house cooler too. I have floor to ceiling windows next to my patio. If I open the umbrella and use the tilt function, it keeps the sun from heating up the entire area around the windows. One thing about the tilt though- even the most gentle of breezes with spin it. It is, after all, effectively a huge kite. Make sure you have a base that will secure the pole in place.

I read the other reviews and looked at the pictures before I ordered this umbrella. Seemed OK.
However, what was not reviewed was the fabric of the umbrella- the "canvas."
To me, the common understanding of the word "canvas" is a heavier weight cotton or cotton blend- a durable fabric. The fabric on the umbrella I received was like thin nylon. Most disappointing. I returned the umbrella.

I think the product description should be corrected for a truer understanding by the shopper
before deciding to order.

The lights are really cool. The blinking is a little seizure-inducing, but the always on setting is great. The lights are yellow, so they don't attract insects.

I love my umbrella!! The lights put out a beautiful amber glow. I received it on time, as promised and would recommend to eveyone.

This item is easy to put together and works very well..
For added protection, spray with a light fabric water repellant..

We bought this umbrella as an add on for a cheap-o patio set that we picked up. I was surprised by the light function of the umbrella! We've had it up for about a week and it seems to do what it should. Nothing cheap or cheesy about it.