Home Reviews ,,,,, Although the priorities of our audience revolve around the world of technology and electronics, sometimes, among the various products on sale by the companies we spot on the net, there is no shortage of curious objects that we believe may deserve a mention among our pages. This is the case of the umbrellas by Plemo, a manufacturer we have already collaborated with in the past mainly for the promotion of some special MacBook bags.
Those we are about to talk about are two umbrellas to shelter from the rain that practically stand out for some more peculiarities. Especially in the case of Plemo GXUM003, we are faced with a product that tries in some way to innovate an object that has existed for centuries, perhaps even millennia, conceived for different uses over time: in the past it was sometimes used as a simple parasol or, during the Roman Empire, as a charming and seductive clothing accessory for the richest women but almost unchanged in its structure.
As did
This umbrella does not belong to the category of foldable ones that go into the bag. The auction is in fact made up of a single piece and overall we are faced with a product of standard size *: it measures 80 cm including handle and is sold together with a practical case with shoulder strap quite useful when spending several hours away from home. When the rain stops, we will not be forced to hold it but it can be easily hung on the shoulder.
The peculiarity of the umbrella is discovered as soon as the case is removed: the tips of the rays , instead of near the handle, we find them on the opposite side, well arranged around the tip , flat (diameter 2 cm) and surrounded by a rubber sheath.
This umbrella, as it turns out by pressing the red button to release the locking system, opens in reverse . Or rather, the opening gesture is the same, in fact we will have to bring the end of the umbrella towards the tip, but the rays and the canvas will open in the opposite direction. The inversion of the spokes occurs about three-quarters from the completion of the maneuver: continuing in the opening there is in fact a moment in which the hinges of the spokes make a click allowing us to complete the opening of the umbrella and lock it in its congenial shape ” mushroom cap “. This inverted system, as verified by our tests, offers more than one advantage.
First of all, raise your hand to anyone who, in the opening, happened that the spokes got caught on the sleeve of the shirt. With this umbrella it will never happen just because the tips of the rays are on the opposite side. But if we could not necessarily define this as a problem, a real prerogative of this system emerges when, during an incessant shower of rain, after getting into the car, we have to close the umbrella. Getting wet, even only partially, is inevitable because with a classic umbrella, when closing it, you expose yourself to pouring rain: here, however, the closure takes place towards the outside, so it can be progressively completed while remaining completely sheltered inside the car.
Another advantage is revealed in the next step. We are sitting in the car and we closed the umbrella (the classic one) that is dripping all over the place, getting our coat and pants wet. One almost thinks that it is a useless object since it only repaired us for 99% of the way. The inverted opening of the Plemo umbrella instead ensures that the wet part, with the closure, remains inside, so all the excess water will drip only near the tip. With this in mind, the company has also added two layers of fabric *: so, even if the outermost one gets soaked with water in the worst storms, the inner layer will always and in any case remain perfectly dry.
As if that were not enough, back home we can easily put it in the umbrella without risking wetting the adjacent umbrellas with only contact. For the same reason previously mentioned, the water will be in the inner layer and not in the outer one, descending by force of gravity in a single point, in the center of the umbrella. And if the umbrella is already saturated with wet umbrellas that could moisten the inside of the Plemo umbrella, there is a solution for this too: the tip, as mentioned above, is flat and can act as a base to keep it vertical and let it drip, for example on the shower tray or on the balcony (as long as it is well protected). If you do not secure the fabric with the hook and loop strip, the slightly open spokes will aid in support, keeping it perfectly vertical.
Another ingenious intuition resides in the handle , wide and elliptical in shape. It is first of all excellent also from the point of view of the materials, rubberized and pleasant to touch, but due to its particular shape it can easily lock on the wrist to keep the umbrella open above our head and having both hands free – for example – to use the smartphone (from here, in fact, the idea of making a report between our pages started).
Furthermore, the handle is not completely closed . On the one hand there is in fact an opening of about 2 centimeters, sufficient to use the handle as a hook and hang the umbrella vertically on the edge of a table, on a drying rack for clothes or where it is deemed appropriate. especially immediately after use, when it is certainly important to let it dry without closing it to avoid mold and bad smells.
Conclusions
When the old umbrella breaks or you find yourself in a position to buy one more for the family, consider purchasing the Plemo GXUM003 for all the reasons mentioned above. The overall dimensions are the same as others of the same type, but the inverted opening and the “wrist” handle are two advantages that, after trying it, you will hardly be able to give up.
Bonus: the Plemo umbrella from Star Wars
The manufacturer has also sent us another model for trial which, although it is aesthetically and structurally identical to other classic umbrellas, is accompanied by a transparent shaft that lights up at the push of a button. We jokingly called it a “Star Wars umbrella” precisely because, when lit, it recalls the famous Sith and Jedi lightsaber.
The lighting is only visible in the evening, and this is where it can actually bring some advantage in terms of visibility, for example when crossing dark streets. The light – available in various colors, which can also be gradually alternated in a totally automated way – is guaranteed by three AAA batteries (not included in the package) that are inserted into the handle and which also allow you to activate the flashlight mode.
By squeezing the transparent bottom of the latter, three small bulbs are activated which offer a small point of light, effectively transforming the umbrella into a sort of torch. Imagine holding it under your arm and pointing it in the direction of the lock of the house while sifting through the various keys from the bunch, or using it to track down the classic Euro finished between the car seats. This umbrella is also sold together with a case to carry it on the shoulder thanks to the shoulder strap.
Retail price
The Plemo umbrella with inverted opening is on sale on Amazon and costs 19.99 euros. It is available in five different textures for the inner fabric. The model with light rod costs 22.49 euros instead.
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