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Manual Versus Automatic Tilt Umbrella

Summer days call for lounging outside on the patio, lemonade in hand. But when the sunshine becomes too much to bear, don't let it chase you inside. Instead, add a manual or automatic tilt umbrella to your patio set. They're designed to keep you cool by being made for the shade. Here are the differences between the two kinds.

The automatic tilt umbrella has become a staple on decks and patios throughout the country. Though simple in idea, the mechanization of patio umbrellas has made outdoor entertaining more convenient. Typically, they comprise an aluminum pole which opens using a crank mechanism. It then locks at an appropriate height above the table or free-standing. The auto tilt umbrella goes a step further with an added feature. Once fully open, if you keep turning the crank, the umbrella will actually tilt at a series of angles. Because the tilt relies on tension in the pole rather than joint setting, it can be angled much further without the danger of tipping over.

The auto tilt umbrella is perfect for tables, poolside, or wherever a little extra shade is desired. What's nice about the automatic models is that they reduce strain on the back by not having to push open the whole umbrella, but just having to make the smaller cranking motion. Also, tilting umbrellas are nice because you can control where you want your shade. The sun will shift your shade significantly throughout the day, so rather than having to move your chair around every few hours, just move the umbrella. It's perfect for smaller areas where space is an issue. The only bad thing about the auto tilt umbrella is that on occasion some mechanical models will break down after extended use or due to faulty production.

Manual tilt umbrellas are tried and true, the classic model. They have the same benefits as the auto tilt umbrella, just with a little more work. The push button tilt has been around a long time, almost as long as the modern patio umbrella. It stems from the basic peg hole system, with some modifications. On these models, a button can be found near the top of the umbrella's pole, inward curved and made of metal. When pushed, the button releases an inner lock in the umbrella pole that allows it to tilt. Unlike the auto tilt version, there often aren't the preset two or three positions, so you'll have to manually place it where you want. Some people prefer this, though as it gives a wider range of positions, ideal for concentrated shade and perfectionists. Another benefit is that these umbrellas are cheaper than mechanical ones. On the other hand, manual tilt umbrellas have a few cons. For one, there is slight danger of pinching your finger in the button or tilt lever. Also, having to hold the button while tilting the umbrella yourself can be unwieldy and difficult for frail and smaller persons. However, most people do not have any trouble with this, so ultimately it comes down to a matter of personal preference.

About the Author

Tonya Korniva is a freelance writing professional. Her interests and expertise cover a range of areas, including
Auto Tilt Umbrella
and
Patio Umbrella
.

auto-reverse is driving me bonkers!?

i have an '85 toyota corolla gts of which im very proud. I consider the car a real classic and i refuse to modify the interior as far as replacing the stereo deck and all. I have a philips cassette adapter that i use with my '91 mercury topaz just fine but as far i know it doesnt have an auto-reverse feature in it. The adapter confuses my little toyota but has great quality for what little bits of music i catch before it switches sides. there doesnt seem to be a way to disable the auto reverse in the toyota either according to the manual, and ive even tried removing most of the gears in the cassette itself (except the big center one...i was hoping this would reduce lag or tension or whatever would trigger the auto-reverse) to no avail. is there a brand known to bypass the auto-reverse? ive been looking at Fm transmitters too but i have my doubts and wouldnt know where to start with them.... much thankies in advance! *^_^*

All I can say is, you need to look for an adapter that has either gears or belts inside it that allows all of the tape player's gears to turn. What usually happens is, the tape player will have a little drive pulley just past the tape head that draws the tape along the head, and there are pulleys before the head, and sprockets that drive the tape spindles when fast-forwarding or reversing and stuff. The tape player will power up the first pulley and monitor the second one (or the tape sprocket) to see if they're turning. If they aren't turning, the tape player thinks (since it's driving the tape but the tape isn't moving) that you've hit the end of the tape, and it will eject the tape or reverse it. There are cassette adapters that have little gears in them that take the motion from the first pulley and drive the rest of the pulleys, so the tape player sees motion on all of them and doesn't detect and end-of-tape. I had a cassette adapter that I got from BestBuy (I don't like them, but I was there that day), and it had all the gears in it and it worked fine. However, now there is no sound coming through it, so I had to trash it and I went with that same Phillips unit you have. My Phillips works OK in old Fords, but not in some newer cars (although in these you can disable the end detector).

So, if you get a chance, go to any electronics store and see if you can open the packaging on the cassette adapters for sale, and try turning one of the tape spindles. You should see movement in the other spindle, and in the pulleys on either side of the tape head. If these don't move, it won't work in your car.

My Superscope C-202LP cassette recorder.