TropishadeTropilight LED Lighted 9 ft Bronze Aluminum Market Umbrella with Beige Polyester Cover

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!

If you are reading this, you no doubt have shopped around and found a range of umbrellas with a vast difference in price and quality. I've owned the best..and the worst..but in Florida, nothing exposed to the sun lasts long due to the extreme heat and Ultraviolet rays. So, with that experience, I read the Amazon reviews on this model and brand expecting a cheap, flimsy device. But, I liked the idea of the built-in lights. And, I was impressed by others who bought one and were impressed. So, I took a chance.When it arrived, I was pleasantly surprised at the quality and finish, as well as the light function. It doesn't look cheap, but it wouldn't standup to fierce winds, nor would most others. And, the fabric appears to be thin and a little more translucent than I would prefer. But, make no mistake, this little beauty is well-made, gets the job done and blocks a considerable amount of sunrays, and it doesn't twist and turn when the umbrella pole is tightened sufficiently by a thumbscrew in the base in the face of a light to moderate breeze. It can be articulated to adjust for the sun's position through the day, and the articulation locking button is better quality than I imagined. The umbrella has a vent in the top of the fabric to bleed-off wind-loading, and so far, I haven't experienced any flutter or uplift from wind effects. I like this so much, I will research finding a generic 9 foot, 6 arm replacement fabric when the time comes. For the price, quality and ease of use, it's a "best-buy", one of those scarce purchases where you gloat afterwards that you got a good deal on a good product. At this price, I'd buy another.Update of June 11, 2016:I ordered the Tropishade 9' patio umbrella with LED lights, and love it, as you note from my review here, but all the while, knowing the fabric was relatively thin and more translucent than opaque in direct sunlight. As with all umbrellas, regardless of cost or fabric treatments, Florida and Colorado are the harshest climate tests due to unrelenting ultraviolet content, in my experience of various Army assignments around the U.S. and even overseas. In time, fabric is will fade.So, after 28 months of wear and exposure, I began my quest to replace this nice, affordable Tropishade umbrella as last resort, preferring to just replace the fabric cover. But, which one? Even Formosa Covers, the fabric seller doesn't know if this fabric replacement cover will work with this umbrella, except to say it should fit a 6-rib model as long as ribs are 52-54 inches.Well, Hallelujah, here's my testimony. It does fit, nearly perfectly. The only improvement needed would be the small brass collar sewn into the top hole (finian knob) of the umbrella fabric to prevent fabric unraveling. Not really an issue. When cranked out, the umbrella is taught and attractive. The fabric seems somewhat and the blue is very saturated blue. No doubt, in 28 months, it, too, will fade and show mildew spots from exposed to moisture and humidity, especially when cranked down and tied with the nice attached tie sash. In fact, comparing it to the old original, it's about 20 shades brighter due to fading from sun exposure. I compared the new one with a section inside of the old cover that wasn't affected as much by the sun. Night and day difference.So, my recommendation is for those with the Tropishade umbrella, this is the easily the most affordable, well-crafted and took about 10-minutes max to remove the old and replace the new. Second;. if you like the Tropishade umbrella as much as I, then order two covers at the Amazon price because you never know if this offer will be when you need a replacement.

Purchased this at from at a discounted price from Amazon (( The offer to purchase one with bad packaging etc )). Being a Prime member, it arrived on time and packaged very nice and secure. I LOVE this umbrella! I shopped around, searched many umbrellas, brands, types etc. and Im SO happy I decided to purchased this one, and especially from the Amazon third-party offer. First the Umbrella itself is great! Thick & durable! Great brown broze-like pole & base color. Cool temperature gage on the pole, and the lights just throw this umbrella over the top!!! The yellow amber lights look absolutely stunning with the navy blue!!! you can change the setting on the lights to make them do what you want. Steady or blinking, etc. The cord for the lights is definitely long enough that it could travel across your deck. They do not skimp on the cord length! and it's nice that you can leave it plugged in, and do not have to unplug it to shut it off. The on and off button for the lights is located right on the pole next to the temperature gauge. although this is a tilt umbrella, I have not had to tilt it yet. I plan on treating the umbrella with a waterproofing spray, Just to help add to its longevity. I am SO pleased with this umbrella & even more so happy that I decided to go with the discount seller, Galtech. Thank you for making my patio emsamble beautiful! (matches my 'hard to match' taupe colored table & chairs)

Belle éclairage. Le parasol est d'un beau crème. Très très sarisfaite.