Sport-Brella Versa-Brella All Position Umbrella with Universal Clamp

I bought this item last summer to use at the beach. It worked OK but did not really clamp on properly so it would stay in one place without falling down. I used it maybe 4 times. When I tried to use it this year, the screw on clamp would not tighten, so the umbrella is useless. Save your money and go to Christmas Tree Shops, where you can buy a clamp on umbrella for under $5. Definitely NOT worth the money!

I spent a lot of time researching for beach equipment before my last trip to the beach.I ended up liking this personal shading device made in the form of a misshaped photo studio umbrella, with orientable poles and a clamp. Yeah, I am talking about the Versa-Brella. I didn’t end up using it at the beach as originally. I also bought a big Pacific Breeze tent which made any other form of shading a moot point. I was going to clamp it to a kayak, as I presumably cruised up and down in style, on the tidal Ogunquit River. However, no kayak rental store in this town had direct access to water. The only guy renting kayaks by the river wouldn’t let me keep the kayak for the whole week, at my own suite with its own water access.I fancied that we would carry this lightweight contraption everywhere in town, so when we sat on an outdoor table, enjoying an afternoon meal, I could deploy this personal shading device, instead of having to serve as human sun shade for my wife all the time. But that was too much trouble. We never did carry that umbrella, nor clamp it down on a restaurant table, during the entire trip.What I did use it for was to supplement existing shading, to provide specific coverage for glaring spots that made the enjoyment of my vacation difficult. The following picture illustrates the railing post that would have been under the sun, reflecting blinding light onto my eyes as I attempted to have a quiet afternoon meal, had I not installed the Sport-Brella at the right place and at the right height. See the first picture.Finally, a man could drink his beer in peace, without having to deal with blinding lights. See the second picture.I also use it back home, at our flying field, to supplement non-ideal shading provided by our big onsite umbrellas. When the sun moves to the west in the afternoon, our work benches are no longer covered by these umbrellas. Again, Versa-Brella fixes this problem for the anal-retentive. See the third and fourth pictures.

I bought this product for use when I am playing guitar at farmers markets around town. I had been wearing a cowboy hat, but that ended up just making my head really hot and sweaty. When I started using the Versa-Brella, although it took a while to get it articulated just right, I found that it provided adequate shade as well as a substantial subjective heat reduction. However, if there is ANY amount of wind, it will sway and topple over, likely due to the pretty weak locking gears (?). That is, even when you hear a joint lock into place, there is still a good amount of wiggling that occurs. Today it blew over, hit the ground, and now will not open all the way. At the end of the day, although the shade is good, a number of other factors (outside of human control) are required in order for this product to work reliably.

I got the "regular" one. the Larger at twice the price doesn't seems to be worth it for 30% more coverage.Heres my comment:Good:- at 3k reviews of 4.5/5 it seems pretty good if a bit expensive- the build quality is pretty good, solid.- can bend in various way.- can clamp on anything with a bar. so you can use it on a chair, bike, wagon etc.. not just a chair.- it's not a "circle" shape its kinda like a egg type shape. so on one side it offer more coverage. strange design but I guess you get more coverage with out making the thing too big.- once folder up and put into it's carrying case it is still small and portable. what I do is slip it into the bag that holds my chair. so I only carry one item instead of two.BAD:- you can't "rotate" the top portion to have the extension turn easily. (though the manual says there is a rotation screw but I can't seem to get it to rotate it from the top... but it rotates on the bottom clamp. just harder to rotate if don't have the poles straight)- I got the regular size but I do wish it would offer more shade coverage.Overall. it is kinda "pricey" for an umbrella but at least you can use it with many other things. and also if you look at the price of chairs with built in shade/cover they are about the same price more than chairs without it. I would rather pay the same and have a removable shade

Pros: flexible, portable and light.Cons: The swivel points start to fail after 20 uses due to wear and tear. No clamp to hold the canopy up top in place so it would collapse under "some conditions."

I wanted to love this umbrella. I brought it to the beach. Unfortunately the buttons that are suppose to be used to tilt and turn to adjust to thesun were very tight. I thought it was me. The top button wouldn't even lock.I took the umbrella out this year now none of the buttons work. I would like to return it. Do not buy. It is a waste of money.

Bought one to try for the beach this past June. It worked perfectly! It stayed in place and the wind did not move it around. I love the design because you can position it in just about any way to keep the sun off of you. We liked it so much we bought another one for our next beach trip and purchase two for my in-laws for their beach trip next year. They pack nicely and don't take up much room. Very easy to attached! I highly recommend these beach chair umbrellas!