Rio Brands XCB202CB 01 Sports Anchor

We went to the beach with two beach umbrellas and only one sand anchor. The sand anchor did a great job of digging down deep into the sand and keeping the one umbrella firmly attached -- even in the breeze. We couldn't get the other umbrella (the one without a sand anchor) into the sand deep enough and it blew on to the people next to us, so we had to put that umbrella away.

VERY easy to use Rio Brands XCB202CB 01 Sports Anchor and does a great job. After I got home from the beach I ordered a second anchor for my other beach umbrella. Personally, I think it's a "must" for your beach umbrella.

A Note about my order: Although I ordered the one pictured (with a metal piece on top), they sent me the all-plastic version (twice), which I kept and works great. I would imagine they'd both work equally as well, but in all fairness this review truly pertains to the all plastic version which Amazon calls the "RIO Beach Sand Anchor for Beach Umbrellas". Even though my sand anchors are all plastic, they seem very sturdy and rigid. No problems.

Does this Beach Umbrella Anchor sound like you? You're planning a nice, relaxing trip to the beach. You've got all of your gear, including a super-duper beach umbrella. You get there, and you dig like mad to stick the umbrella into the sand, and then what happens? About 20 minutes later, you're running down the beach as your (formerly clean, pristine) umbrella topples end over end away from you. Children laugh and adults snicker as you drag what-used-to-be-a-nice-umbrella back up the beach. You need one device, my friends, and only one device - this sand anchor. I was dubious that such a small, simple corkscrew gizmo would work, but trust me, I'll be giving these away as gifts to fellow family beachgoers at Christmastime (and they're a tough crowd to please!!). Do yourself a favor, buy this and be happy!!

Coleman Road Trip Beach Shade

I purchased the Coleman Road Trip Beach Shade at Amazon prior to a family spring-break beach trip to Naples, FL. At the same time, I purchased the Sport-brella XL from Amazon. I used both on the trip.

The primary benefit to the Beach Shelters is that it packs up into a very small package. I haven't measured, but I would guess that it is 18 inches long (and only 6 inches tall / deep). It has a convenient handle to carry and weighs a few pounds (lighter than the beach chairs). The Beach Shade is a very good tent design and provides good shade at the beach. There are three collapsable poles that you need to push through sleeves in the tent. Once accomplished, the tent is up. Then, you have to anchor the tent with the stakes and / or sand bags. This tent is a piece of cake to setup with TWO people; it takes us about 15 minutes. It would challenging for one person to set this up-- especially if it was windy. When anchored properly, the tent isn't going anywhere. We used it on a windy day with no problem.

Advantage over Sport-brella
(1) More shade for a longer period-- given the "tent" design.
(2) Small size when packed up.
(3) Has a floor so you are not sitting in sand. The floor extends to the front of the tent.
(4) Can close front and use as "changing room."

Disadvantage over Sport-brella
(1) Harder to install than Sport-brella. Better to have two people install.
(2) Inside of tent gets hot.

Criticisms:

(1). Although it creates adequate shade, the inside of the tent gets pretty HOT. It was 85-90 degrees Farenheit at the beach. We needed to open the rear window in order to stand it-- which takes away from the shade. (We had no such problem with the sport-brella, but the Coleman is more of a tent).
(2). Rear window has open, 1/2 open, and closed. Given the heat issue, it would nice to have other options-- especially given that you must open the window due to heat.
(3). It would be really nice to have some smaller side or top windows like the Sport-brella.

Bottom line. I will definitely use the Beach Shade again. Our family requires two "cabanas," so we can use both the Sport-brella and the Beach Shade. If you only need one, I recommend the Sport-brella-- unless (1) you require the smaller size when packed up or (2) the ability to use it as a quick changing-room is appealing.

Honeywell Long Life QuietCare Purifier 17000

As someone who is highly allergic to cigarette smoke and other air pollutants and irritants, I purchased a round Honeywell HEPA air filter when it first came on the market several years ago. It still works well in the living room, but it is quite noisy even on its lowest setting.

This year I purchased another Honeywell air cleaner with a HEPA filter (Model 17400) for my bedroom because I had contacted bacterial pneumonia last year and wanted to make sure I did not get it again. Next, I purchased this Honeywell 17000 Air Cleaner (with HEPA filter) for use in a smaller bedroom which has been turned into a home office and library.

These Honeywell Long Life QuietCare Purifier 17000 really work! This winter I have not had a cold or flu. Also, this Honeywell Air Cleaner with HEPA filter is whisper soft, and I have had no problems with sleeping, working, reading, watching tv, or listening to music when it is running on the low and medium settings. I leave it on all the time, and I've found that it cleans the air best when the door is closed.

It has a convenient handle on the top, so I can move it to another room quite easily. Also, it is light enough that I can take it with me in the car if I want to use it away from home.

The prefilters last about 3-6 months, (and they can be vacuumed often if you have pets who shed). I change my HEPA filter every year, but you can wait 3 years to do so. These filters are easy to change. The Model 17000 is for a smaller room, and the Model 17400 is for a larger space.

Highly recommended for anyone on this Honeywell Air Purifier who has pets, who lives with or entertains people who smoke, and who is allergic to dust, molds, or pollens.