OT garden hose opinions?

[Polly Esther]

Absolutely OT but I appreciate the varied opinions of this group. The
garden hose I use for my plants is rubber, weighs about 100 pounds empty and
is slowly declining. I need to replace it before it springs a spout and
does a Yosemite episode on my great-grandmother old body. The reviews for
that 'only available on tv' collapsible hose are terrible. Dismal. Awful.
Got it. Anybody here have a garden hose that is so light-weight even a 2
year-old can handle it? What about a great-granny? It doesn't have to last
forever. Polly

[Julie Bove]

Years ago I had one of those flat hoses. It was lightweight and great for
maybe 2 months. I can't remember what fate befell it but I had to get rid
of it. Since then, I've not found a hose that I liked. All of them seem to
leak at the faucet end and all get badly kinked. I know enough not to buy
the cheap plastic ones but I've even spent about $30 for a hose and it
kinked and went bad soon after. Doesn't matter much here though since we
are usually not supposed to use hoses due to water restrictions. My
gardener uses them once in a while and I might squirt off my van on occasion
or rinse out a trash can. I don't water the plants. Good luck finding a
good one!

[Polly Esther]

"Susan" <su...@nothanks.org> wrote in message
news:b085rc...@mid.individual.net...
> x-no-archive: yes

> I found a very convenient, durable self coiling hose last year, FINALLY,
> after a bunch of bummer. Even in brown, to match my Tudor home's trim! No
> more wrapping the hose or coiling. It's this one, I have two after
> getting such a great season from the first one, which is still unkinked
> and tightly coiled after twice daily use all summer, and I also found a
> well made durable nozzle online.
>
> http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003P9XAMS/ref=pe_175190_21431760_C1_cs_sce_dp_2
>
> Here's the nozzle, too:
>
> http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DGII5O/ref=pe_175190_21431760_C1_cs_sce_dp_1
>
Susan, Thank you, thank you so much. I just knew someone here had done the
struggle and figured it out. Glad to see this one's lead free. For reasons
known only to a Yorkie, water tastes much better from a garden hose. Our
home's west wall could handily cook a pizza in the morning and I only
attempt really sturdy plants beside it. Still. . . they too need a drink.
Polly

[Polly Esther]

"Sqwertz" <>
> Oh c'mon - what's not to love about the idea of a hose that fits in
> your pocket - The Pocket Hose! Take it everywhere you go - you never
> know when you'll need to get hosed!
>
Well, yes. Mr. Esther asked me to investigate. Good grief. Never ever saw
such heated reviews. Okay. I knew that wasn't the solution but I still
needed something better than the 'need a tow truck' to haul it aged rubber
hose I was heaving around. Polly

[zxcvbob]

I like heavy black rubber hoses because they don't kink, and they last a
long time.

I bought a reinforced vinyl 5/8" hose at Big Lots a couple of years ago
and it's holding up well. It's very light weight (when it's empty), the
only problem is it kinks so easily.

They are all heavy when full of water, but you can reduce that by buying
a 1/2" hose instead of a 5/8 or 3/4.

Good luck,
Bob

[Nunya Bidnits]

I love my Sears Craftsman Rubber Hoses. They have been repaired several
times but then they are about 20 years old.

Can't you get a hose reel to make the hose easier to handle? You only have
to unroll what you need and you turn the crank to reel it back in.

[sf]

Look for the coiled one at Home Depot... 2 year manufacturer's
warranty
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Melnor-1-2-in-x-50-ft-Coil-Water-Hose-983-202/202051573#.UZ8HA4fvv2s

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

[Janet]

In article <b084e3...@mid.individual.net>, Poll...@cableone.net
says...

Mine is on a mobile reel with wheels; I never need to lift it.
There's a winder handle to rewind the extended hose back onto the reel.

Janet UK

[Ed Pawlowski]

"Nunya Bidnits" <nunyab...@eternal-september.invalid> wrote in message

>
> I love my Sears Craftsman Rubber Hoses. They have been repaired several
> times but then they are about 20 years old.
>
> Can't you get a hose reel to make the hose easier to handle? You only have
> to unroll what you need and you turn the crank to reel it back in.

I'm not a big Sears fan, but I did buy a rubber hose on sale. Good quality.

I also have a Rapid Reel. Makes it very easy to wrap up that 100' of hose.
www.rapidreel.com

[Dave Smith]

Good hoses are worth the money. Cheap hoses tend to be too narrow for
good water flow and then kink and tear and end up having to be replaced.

I have been through several hose reels and have given up on them. I have
reverted to a simple rack. I can roll up the hose and put it away a lot
faster and easier by hand than by cranking the reel.

[jmcquown]

On 5/24/2013 12:11 AM, Polly Esther wrote:
>
> "Sqwertz" <>
>> Oh c'mon - what's not to love about the idea of a hose that fits in
>> your pocket - The Pocket Hose! Take it everywhere you go - you never
>> know when you'll need to get hosed!
>>
> Well, yes. Mr. Esther asked me to investigate. Good grief. Never ever
> saw such heated reviews.

Surely not as heated as the reviews of Amy's Baking Company?

> Okay. I knew that wasn't the solution but I
> still needed something better than the 'need a tow truck' to haul it
> aged rubber hose I was heaving around. Polly

I think the coil type hose Susan mentioned is a good suggestion. I may
just get one of those. I have a hard time dragging heavy hoses around,
too. I occasionally cat-sit for a neighbor. The first couple of times
she also asked me to water the outdoor potted plants. She has TONS of
them. Those hoses were very heavy. After the second time I told her I
would gladly take care of the cats but no, I'm not dragging heavy hoses
around.

Jill

[Nunya Bidnits]

Dave Smith <adavid...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
> On 24/05/2013 8:30 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>> "Nunya Bidnits" <nunyab...@eternal-september.invalid> wrote in
>> message
>>>
>>> I love my Sears Craftsman Rubber Hoses. They have been repaired
>>> several times but then they are about 20 years old.
>>>
>>> Can't you get a hose reel to make the hose easier to handle? You
>>> only have to unroll what you need and you turn the crank to reel it
>>> back in.
>>
>> I'm not a big Sears fan, but I did buy a rubber hose on sale. Good
>> quality. I also have a Rapid Reel. Makes it very easy to wrap up that
>> 100'
>> of hose. www.rapidreel.com
>>
>>
> Good hoses are worth the money. Cheap hoses tend to be too narrow
> for good water flow and then kink and tear and end up having to be
> replaced.

Agreed, I have 3/4" rubber hoses only.

> I have been through several hose reels and have given up on them. I
> have reverted to a simple rack. I can roll up the hose and put it
> away a lot faster and easier by hand than by cranking the reel.

Agree with that too, but if reducing effort is more important than time, the
hose reel may work for her. And I also agree with others that in Polly's
case a lighter vinyl and narrower diameter hose would be best.

MartyB

[Nunya Bidnits]

She can also reduce weight by buying the shortest hose that will work for
her needs.

[Brooklyn1]

On Thu, 23 May 2013 22:17:21 -0500, "Polly Esther"
<Poll...@cableone.net> wrote:

>Absolutely OT but I appreciate the varied opinions of this group. The
>garden hose I use for my plants is rubber, weighs about 100 pounds empty and
>is slowly declining. I need to replace it before it springs a spout and
>does a Yosemite episode on my great-grandmother old body. The reviews for
>that 'only available on tv' collapsible hose are terrible. Dismal. Awful.
>Got it. Anybody here have a garden hose that is so light-weight even a 2
>year-old can handle it?

Really can't answer without knowing how long a hose you need. I like
Swan brand hoses. I keep three fifty footers on each hose reel... I
have three hose reels. Most times I only need fifty feet or less but
occasionally I unreel the entire 150'. I use 5/8" hoses. I think
3/4" is too cumbersome and heavy, and rubber hoses are overkill for
home use. Pick which works for you:
http://www.swanhose.com/
http://www.swanhose.com/the-right-hose-for-the-job/

[gregz]

The local tv station liked the collapsible, and a couple testers. The
regular size is only 25 feet.

I would not buy one myself. Maybe for an apartment. Still using a100 foot
heavy duty hose I bought at Pace warehouse. It's at least 20 years old. One
bad spot. I bought a backup end of last season, on sale at the home depot.

You can buy a lightweight cheap hose, but it kinks and does not last. I
doubt if the collapsable lasts very long.

Greg

[Ed Pawlowski]

On Fri, 24 May 2013 08:59:23 -0400, Dave Smith
<adavid...@sympatico.ca> wrote:



>>
>> I also have a Rapid Reel. Makes it very easy to wrap up that 100' of hose.
>> www.rapidreel.com
>>
>>
> Good hoses are worth the money. Cheap hoses tend to be too narrow for
>good water flow and then kink and tear and end up having to be replaced.
>
>I have been through several hose reels and have given up on them. I have
>reverted to a simple rack. I can roll up the hose and put it away a lot
>faster and easier by hand than by cranking the reel.

I've had some reels too, and they were crap. That is why I spent the
money for a good quality reel that works well Rapid Reel is
industrial quality, not a plastic toy.

I'll race you on the winding any time.

[Polly Esther]

Thanks, all. I'm going to try the one Susan suggested. I'm only watering
plants in big pots. It's not like I need to douse a volcano. The favorite
plant is 'Five Color'. It is a very pretty Christmas pepper that has little
peppers of red, yellow, orange and purple and they are about the size of
those temperamental size 6 1/2 ( I think) Christmas tree light bulbs. The
pepper is edible but we warn anyone wanting them that they are Hot. Really
hot. Polly

[Brooklyn1]

Ed Pawlowski wrote:

A company that manufactures all manner of hose reels is practically in
my backyard, most everyone nearby buys garden hose reels from them.
http://www.hannay.com/index.asp

[Nunya Bidnits]

Problem solved. My Garden Hose by Water Right. Narrower hose, lightweight. I
saw them in the hardware store yesterday and they seem to be exactly what
you want. It's not the "collapsible" hose which gets such poor reviews. Just
plain hose, lightweight, in colors. You can drink out of it, even!

http://www.waterrightinc.com/

MartyB

[Sharon C]

That hose in the tv commercials, the green one that collapses into
almost purse size? Local tv staton did a test on it and it performed
very well

[Janet Bostwick]

On Wed, 29 May 2013 13:55:56 -0400, Susan <su...@nothanks.org> wrote:

>x-no-archive: yes

>Not according to the OP, who wrote at the top of this thread:

>
>"Absolutely OT but I appreciate the varied opinions of this group. The
>garden hose I use for my plants is rubber, weighs about 100 pounds empty
>and is slowly declining. I need to replace it before it springs a spout
>and does a Yosemite episode on my great-grandmother old body. The
>reviews for that 'only available on tv' collapsible hose are terrible.
>Dismal. Awful. Got it. Anybody here have a garden hose that is so
>light-weight even a 2 year-old can handle it? What about a
>great-granny? It doesn't have to last forever. Polly"
>
>
>
>

>Susan
i thought Consumer's Reports liked it.
Janet US

[Nancy Young]

On 5/29/2013 1:47 PM, Sharon C wrote:
>

I saw somewhere that it did well in tests. I like a little
hose to water my flowers in front that doesn't require a whole
big hose. I have a cut off old rubber hose that I have to use
my finger to direct the spray. Works okay.

I used to have a coiled hose there, I don't remember what problems
I had with it but it didn't work out for me.

nancy

[Janet Bostwick]

On Wed, 29 May 2013 14:31:01 -0400, Susan <su...@nothanks.org> wrote:

>x-no-archive: yes
>

>On 5/29/2013 1:59 PM, Janet Bostwick wrote:
>
>> i thought Consumer's Reports liked it.
>

>I've never liked what they like.
>
>Same with a lot of editorial, vs, real consumer reviews, like cnet.com
>and edmunds.com
>
>Often vast differences when real consumers get a product into their hands.
>
>Susan
Yeah, you're right. There are so many people who don't read
instructions, don't follow common sense, etc.
Janet US

[Nunya Bidnits]

Susan <su...@nothanks.org> wrote:
> x-no-archive: yes
>

> On 5/29/2013 1:47 PM, Sharon C wrote:
>>

> Not according to the OP, who wrote at the top of this thread:

Exactly. It's junk.

I posted a link to what she needs. I picked one up with my own hands in a
hardware store and it's featherweight. Not high capacity but it is precisely
what she asked for. But for whatever reason the post went unanswered. Go
figure.

MartyB

[Janet Bostwick]

On Wed, 29 May 2013 15:24:11 -0400, Susan <su...@nothanks.org> wrote:

>x-no-archive: yes
>

>On 5/29/2013 2:41 PM, Nancy Young wrote:
>
>> I saw somewhere that it did well in tests. I like a little
>> hose to water my flowers in front that doesn't require a whole
>> big hose. I have a cut off old rubber hose that I have to use
>> my finger to direct the spray. Works okay.
>>
>> I used to have a coiled hose there, I don't remember what problems
>> I had with it but it didn't work out for me.
>

>I had a number of crappy, failed coil hoses. The one I posted in this
>thread is a gem. I have two now.
>
>Susan
I wonder what was wrong. I have purchased 2 coiled hoses, 1 from QVC
and one from Fred Meyer. My basis for purchase was price and hose
length. Both are working exactly as I wanted. They've been on the
back deck during freezing winters and 105F summers. I use them every
day during growing season to water my deck garden.
Janet US

[Nancy Young]

On 5/29/2013 3:24 PM, Susan wrote:
> x-no-archive: yes
>
> On 5/29/2013 2:41 PM, Nancy Young wrote:
>

>> I saw somewhere that it did well in tests. I like a little
>> hose to water my flowers in front that doesn't require a whole
>> big hose. I have a cut off old rubber hose that I have to use
>> my finger to direct the spray. Works okay.
>>
>> I used to have a coiled hose there, I don't remember what problems
>> I had with it but it didn't work out for me.
>

> I had a number of crappy, failed coil hoses. The one I posted in this
> thread is a gem. I have two now.

I looked at that, those do look like nice hoses. I wish the
25' was available for delivery in a reasonable time, it's all
I need for those impatiens.

And yeah, it's nice in brown. I don't need my garden hose to
stand out like a decorative feature.

nancy

[gloria p]

Every consumer's review I've seen says the fittings don't last for more
than a few weeks. They are fragile plastic and crack easily.

Too bad, because it's a great concept.

gloria p

[Nunya Bidnits]

Susan <su...@nothanks.org> wrote:
> x-no-archive: yes
>

> On 5/29/2013 3:44 PM, Nunya Bidnits wrote:
>
>> I posted a link to what she needs. I picked one up with my own hands
>> in a hardware store and it's featherweight. Not high capacity but it
>> is precisely what she asked for. But for whatever reason the post
>> went unanswered. Go figure.
>>
>

> She thanked me for posting about my wonderful hose:
>
> http://www.amazon.com/Water-Right-PCH-050-MG-6PKRS-50-Foot-Polyurethane/dp/B003P9XA96
>
> I got mine in brown, to match my Tudor home.
>
> Susan

Same manufacturer, Water Right, but the ones I saw were not coiled. However
they came in many colors.

MartyB

[Janet Bostwick]

On Wed, 29 May 2013 16:44:04 -0400, Susan <su...@nothanks.org> wrote:

>x-no-archive: yes
>

>On 5/29/2013 3:50 PM, Janet Bostwick wrote:
>
>> I wonder what was wrong. I have purchased 2 coiled hoses, 1 from QVC
>> and one from Fred Meyer. My basis for purchase was price and hose
>> length. Both are working exactly as I wanted. They've been on the
>> back deck during freezing winters and 105F summers. I use them every
>> day during growing season to water my deck garden.
>> Janet US
>

>I guess, as you seem to be intimating, that the rest of us don't have
>the gift of common sense and Hose Whispering that you apparently
>proclaim. :-)
>
>What was wrong was the same thing wrong with all the bad reviewers'
>hoses: crap construction. One or two of mine had pinhole leaks in the
>first week or month of use. The fittings at the hose ends were cheap
>and didn't hold well. The difference in construction and material is
>very evident between those and the one I have now. Some of those hoses
>are so small in diameter that you can barely run any water through them
>without bursting them.
>
>The WaterRight keeps the tightness of its coils, and is much more tangle
>resistant.
>
>I also bought a cheap coil hose years ago that lasted a few seasons, but
>not the cheap ones online since when it ultimately failed, nor the ones
>from Home Depot; they all get pinhole leaks coils loosen and tangle, or
>fittings fail. And I take mine off, drain them in winter and hang them
>up in the basement til Spring.
>
>One pin hole isn't so bad, but when you get enough of them that you take
>an involuntary shower every time you turn on the water, nuh uh.
>
>Susan

Better check under your saddle -- I think you have a burr under there.
I am allowed (just as you are) to state my results. I think that's
called disagreeing. I did notice a review where a man said that his
friend's bad hose was a poor knock off of the one that he bought.
Janet US

[gregz]

That hose in the tv commercials, the green one that collapses into almost
purse size? Local tv staton did a test on it and it performed very well

.....

That's what I said.

Greg

[Nunya Bidnits]

Susan <su...@nothanks.org> wrote:
> x-no-archive: yes
>

> On 5/29/2013 3:50 PM, Janet Bostwick wrote:
>

>> I wonder what was wrong. I have purchased 2 coiled hoses, 1 from QVC
>> and one from Fred Meyer. My basis for purchase was price and hose
>> length. Both are working exactly as I wanted. They've been on the
>> back deck during freezing winters and 105F summers. I use them every
>> day during growing season to water my deck garden.
>> Janet US
>

> I guess, as you seem to be intimating, that the rest of us don't have
> the gift of common sense and Hose Whispering that you apparently
> proclaim. :-)
>
> What was wrong was the same thing wrong with all the bad reviewers'
> hoses: crap construction. One or two of mine had pinhole leaks in the
> first week or month of use. The fittings at the hose ends were cheap
> and didn't hold well. The difference in construction and material is
> very evident between those and the one I have now. Some of those hoses
> are so small in diameter that you can barely run any water through
> them without bursting them.
>
> The WaterRight keeps the tightness of its coils, and is much more
> tangle resistant.
>
> I also bought a cheap coil hose years ago that lasted a few seasons,
> but not the cheap ones online since when it ultimately failed, nor
> the ones from Home Depot; they all get pinhole leaks coils loosen and
> tangle, or fittings fail. And I take mine off, drain them in winter
> and hang them up in the basement til Spring.
>
> One pin hole isn't so bad, but when you get enough of them that you
> take an involuntary shower every time you turn on the water, nuh uh.
>
> Susan

The fittings fail if not reinforced because it is made of light duty
material and the fittings are a stress point. The Water Right non-coiled
units I saw had reinforcement just behind the fittings where the hose is
often bent during use. I suspect the coiled product is the same way.

MartyB

[Nunya Bidnits]

Susan <su...@nothanks.org> wrote:
>
> You are certainly entitled to state your results. But you led off by
> claiming that complaints and bad reviews were due to people not
> knowing how to use the hose right due to no common sense that you
> apparently believe you possess in a way others don't.

Surely you aren't suggesting that many light duty cheaply made products are
not destroyed by user error and lack of common sense. Indeed it is the
cheaply made stuff which requires the most care and is most susceptible to
needless failure by human error.

MartyB

[Nunya Bidnits]

gloria p <gpue...@comcast.net> wrote:
> On 5/29/2013 11:47 AM, Sharon C wrote:
>>
>> That hose in the tv commercials, the green one that collapses into
>> almost purse size? Local tv staton did a test on it and it performed
>> very well
>>
>
>
>
> Every consumer's review I've seen says the fittings don't last for
> more than a few weeks. They are fragile plastic and crack easily.
>

Hose ends, especially on those made from cheap material, need a
reinforcement that runs up the hose a few inches from the end where they are
typically bent during use.

[Nunya Bidnits]

Susan <su...@nothanks.org> wrote:
> x-no-archive: yes
>

> On 5/30/2013 2:51 PM, Nunya Bidnits wrote:
>
>> Surely you aren't suggesting that many light duty cheaply made
>> products are not destroyed by user error and lack of common sense.
>> Indeed it is the cheaply made stuff which requires the most care and
>> is most susceptible to needless failure by human error.
>

> Have you read the thread?
>
> I never came close to saying that.
>
>
>
> Susan

I read what you clipped.