9' Round Aluminum Patio Umbrella with Crank Lift & Auto Tilt - Champagne Pole & Sunbrella Wheat Fabric - Perfect for Outdoor Dining, Poolside Lounging, and Backyard Gatherings

We have used the California Sunbrella on our lake house dock for about three months now.The Good: the fabric is a brilliant navy blue that hasn't faded. Of course, fading can take years, but I believe the company's claims about fade resistance. The opening and closing mechanism turns smoothly and easily. The added tilt function is nice, and it engages when you continue to turn the crank after fully expanding the umbrella. This is great for getting a better angle on the sun and increasing the amount of shade generated by the canopy. It vents wind through a vent at the top that helps somewhat with wind resistance.The Bad: the construction of this umbrella simply doesn't feel like a buy-it-for-life product. In high winds the tilt mechanism doesn't hold tight and the umbrella will tilt up and down in the wind. The trunk and arms seems kind of light weight for a permanently installed umbrella (more like a beach umbrella). The fade-resistance of the fabric may last a lifetime, but I'm concerned that the metal it attached to will not. Overall, though, it's a pretty good umbrella that has held up well despite feeling a little bit flimsy.I would have given this 5 stars 2 months ago. I had liked it so much, bought another California Umbrella this year.Why I give it 3 stars now:The following is to show how long we have had, the amount of use - Bought in Feb 2014, only use end of May through Sept that year and 2015. Only open/close 3-4 times a week, sometimes less. Keep inside finished basement rest of the time. For 2016, the wire connection broke/busted in early July. For such an expensive umbrella and one that does not get heavy use, that just seems wrong. I wrote to the company, but of course heard nothing back. The umbrella fabric itself is great and I bought this as it seemed to be heavy duty. I am so, so disappointed as I recommended it to others.I will next time check other places. I did notice Target had a nice line this year, had similar fabricand cost less (ie, less upset if it breaks)..The color was exactly what was on the website. However, the lower part of the umbrella pole needs to have screw holes in it so you can secure it better when putting it in an umbrella stand. IE, the umbrella base pole (doesnt come with umbrella I bought separately) has a side screw to secure the umbrella pole, but the screw doesn't go thru the pole only to the edge of it. It was very windy in Dallas last weekend and the wind pulled the umbrella out of the stand and it blew up in the air and crashed to the ground. Thank God it didn't break but to got scratched up. Gonna see if a handyman can help me secure it betterI bought this umbrella 7-years ago and it has definitely stood the test of time. The shaft has faded over time, but the fabric is still dark blue, no fading. I clean regularly with soap and water. It has been through wind storms and was blown out of the table and into the yard, still worked with no issue. I highly recommend this product and would definitely buy again.After 2 false starts i.e. 1st one had a broken cap on top; 2nd one had a snapped tension wire; 3rd (and last try) one was a charm. Great umbrella, good quality, ease of use (although they should include instructions to manually spread out the spines before attempting to open), looks great. NOTE: the returns for both broken umbrellas was simple, quick and efficient with Amazon.Really good quality fabric and mechanism. Tilt function works well. So much better than the cheaper Sam's Club model. Easy to raise, lower and tilt. While the total height of the umbrella is standard, the bottom section of the pole is shorter and the upper pole section longer than any other patio umbrella I've owned. Therefore, it connects at a point about 4-5 inches lower than I expected. The stand that I constructed (to eliminate umbrella tip) and used for 5 years with several other umbrellas had to be modified to accommodate this difference. Not a big deal, but slightly irritating and unexpected.I bought this umbrella after some research into the best material for the arms, pole and fabric. After having a wooden pole and a rope-and-pulley system for raising and lowering my old patio umbrella, this aluminum pole and crank mechanism is a joy to use. I am in a hot, sunny part of Florida during the winter months only, so I need something that won't easily fade, and that will be light enough to take down and store when I'm ready to leave. This umbrella has Sunbrella fabric, and is very easy to take in and out of the stand.I highly recommend the California 9-foot umbrella.Can't beat Sunbrella Fabric Umbrellas. I have had one for 8 years before it started mildewing due to continually being outdoors in the weather. I was so please to be able to order a new one via Amazon from California Umbrella. This is the only brand I would own. The color never fades and mine is in constant sunshine in 100 degree weather all summer long. The crank opens and closes the umbrella with smooth and ease and has never broken. I expect no less from this new Sunbrella Fabric Umbrella.