9-Foot Aluminum Thermometer/Lighted Umbrella w/Crank and Tilt

I've enjoyed this umbrella since the day it was delivered. The thermometer is nice, although naturally reads higher when directly in the sun. The lighting system is spectacular and even my teenage daughter really enjoys it! The clock is great, as I often don't wear a watch at home, and lose track of time when sitting out on the patio. It is actually wider than our previous umbrella, which was an expensive one, yet the mechanism is much smoother to operate. I would definitely buy another one like it, and recommend it to others.

We got the green one and within one week, the thermometer and clock went blank. Within another week, the lights stopped working, too. The umbrella is a cheesy nylon that is way too thin and flimsy, and the color green is more of an emerald green, and it's worth your life to make any of todays loden greens look good with it. I read the reviews and felt good about buying it, but it has been a waste of money and a real disappointment, to say the least. I guess I will have to start over this Spring.

I recieved this in 4 days. Recieved it today and put it up right away. So easy to put up and beautiful lights. I only like it on steady light. Not crazy about the blinking lights. Very pretty!! If you purchase this, you will not regret it at all. Hopefully it wont attract bugs, since the lights are so soft looking.

Let's talk about the positive attributes first: . 1) VERY affordable - best bang for your buck. 2) I never thought I would care to have a clock or thermometer on my umbrella - but my friends and family have REALLY enjoyed this feature. Also, the instructions that came with the electronics for the umbrella are actually VERY useful and are in easy to understand English!!! (I hate to use instructions) 3) I have always had wood umbrella poles - and these are metal. At first, I wasn't thrilled - but they really stand up to the unexpected wind gusts much better than the wood counterparts (which have snapped on previous umbrellas I have owned)... 4) Thus far, the crank mechanism works very well. . Now for the less than perfect attributes: . 1) The green umbrella material is quite shiny. I wasn't expecting them to have a polyester luster (not a good thing). It's not a deal breaker... but you should know that the green is a very vivid green (more like a Green Crayola crayon, than the "forest" green I was expecting). 2) The LED lights aren't glued into the frame -- so each time, a few shift and move out of place (easy remedy - a glue stick). Also, they are very YELLOW - I don't know why I expected them to be a white or soft yellow that glowed white - but they are YELLOW and they glow YELLOW (everyone looks a bit jaundice). The mode where they flash randomly is, as others have mentioned, annoying - and to be avoided at all cost (I'm imagining my guests having seizues!!!) -- but when they are on solid - they provide good light. Another thing about the LED lights -- I wish that they were operating off of a battery pack (why not? the temperature and LED controls run off a battery???). In order to use them - you have to run a cord out to the table (good design, however, the connection is made under the table but above the umbrella stand). I have a toddler, and I don't like the trip hazard to the table. Also, if your guests are drinking...................... same problem. In the end, I use the umbrella without the lights. . Unknowns: . 1) I have not operating the tilting mechanism, as I have no need for it. Could be great, could be a problem... I just don't know. 2) I haven't tried to clean off the fabric, either - so I don't know how well that works. Hope that helps. All in all, however, I am VERY pleased with this purchase.