Fighting the Rain, Wind, and Sun on the Playa - Gustbuster?

[butterscotch]

Dear fellow burners,

Does anyone have any experience using the Gustbuster or Gustbuster Sunblock umbrellas on the playa OR umbrellas like them?

http://gustbuster.com/
http://gustbuster.com/sunbuster.html

I've had my eye on them since reading about them on a flight to Southern California... (one of those "inflight" sales books)

Quote: "Withstands winds of 55+"

Plus the Sunblock Models are suppossed to block 96% of UVA/UVB rays... and suppossedly be quite cooler (up to 10 degrees) under them.

I'm thinking of purchasing one of the Sunbusters for around $35/40... I can imagine it being vital when either:
1. Winds pick up... Hopefully not 70 mph...
2. Rains pick up
3. The sun... always the sun.
4. all of the above.

Thinking maybe I'll try the 43" model this year... they have larger ones... but I don't want to smack anyone in the head while walking around... Hmm... but the larger ones (up to 62") can always accomodate a new friend... Choices... choices...

And it may give me another excuse to run around nekked... (heh... like I need one)

Thanks!

~Aimless

[akatom]

I'm looking at those, too. Attach a black lights and LEDs, then it's rigged for night-running, too.

I have never been to Burning Man, so don't trust my opinion further than you can throw a gift horse in between a rock and a hard place, but I done seen pictures! With flimsy decorative parasols! You could probably make a windproof umbrella work, at least some of the time.

[butterscotch]

I decided to take the plunge and purchase a Gustbuster Sunblock umbrella...

Searched around for a bit... Ebay has Gustbusters but rarely the Sunblock models... Amazon only has one type (and mispelled "Sunblok")...

So I bought mine from Innovagolf's website:
http://www.innovagolf.com/ouumshumsunp.html

Picked up the Fashion 48"* (wood handle) <Metro 43" currently Sold Out> for $34.95 (list $39.95)

Plus one Magi-cool cooling scarf $7.95 (Spur of the moment... heh)

Plus $6.95 shipping = $49.85

Hopefully the Gustbuster Sunblock will arrive soon so I can give a full "in-use" review for everyone... since it's HOT (100+ Degrees F) and dusty outside right now... Time for a mid-afternoon experiment!

Sincerely,
~Aimless


*Cool thing about the Fashion 48" is the wood handle has that lovely curve to it for spinning/tricks... Nekked Fred Astaire anyone?

[Soleil1]

:P This will be my 3rd year going and if i've appreciated anything more than my water supply it's been an umbrella. I dont' know of the ones for which you speak but any umbrella will come in handy...good to keep the hot sun off your back or to stop impalling dust(well...somewhat). good times are on there way!
peace
soleil