PopUp Times

General => Product Reviews => Topic started by: Captain Cook on Feb 22, 2006, 02:02 PM

Title: Has anyone used the Popup Gizmos ?
Post by: Captain Cook on Feb 22, 2006, 02:02 PM
They sound like a really good product and for under $100 how can you go wrong? Just wanted some first hand info before buying some.

For those of you that dont know what I am talking about here is the link.....

http://www.popupgizmos.com/

Thanks for any info.
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Post by: TheViking on Feb 22, 2006, 02:44 PM
I have not used them, but there are a quite a few people in our camping club that swear by them, and would recommend them in a second.
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Post by: wavery on Feb 22, 2006, 03:13 PM
There has been a couple of good discussions about them lately. Check these out:

http://www.arveeclub.com/showthread.php?t=56827&highlight=gizmos
http://www.arveeclub.com/showthread.php?t=56761&highlight=gizmos
http://www.arveeclub.com/showthread.php?t=55581&highlight=gizmos
http://www.arveeclub.com/showthread.php?t=56672&highlight=gizmos

Or just do a search on "Gizmos"

 :D
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Post by: Captain Cook on Feb 22, 2006, 03:31 PM
wavery, you are on this forum alot huh ? Thanks for the replies guys !  This is an awesome site !
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Post by: tlhdoc on Feb 22, 2006, 03:37 PM
I have used them for several years.  I just used them this past weekend where the temperature never went above freezing.  No condensation inside the PU bunkends.  They work for both hot and cold temps and they will keep the bunkend vinyl clean too.:)
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Post by: wavery on Feb 22, 2006, 04:36 PM
Quote from: Captain Cookwavery, you are on this forum alot huh ? Thanks for the replies guys !  This is an awesome site !
HMMMMMMM!! My wife said the same thing the other day :eyecrazy: .
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Post by: brainpause on Feb 22, 2006, 05:46 PM
I know several people that have them and swear by them.

We bought some Cabela's emergency blankets, and had planned to buy popupgizmo's covers, if the blankets showed ANY difference. Well, the blankets showed LOTS of difference. In fact, it is hard to believe how much difference. Anyway, the Cabela's blankets fit perfectly on our small popup, so we won't be buying any for the Palomino. But if I had bigger bunks, you can bet I'd be all over the gizmo's! I've heard they are a top quality product, too.

Larry
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Post by: abbear on Feb 22, 2006, 07:48 PM
Have them, use them, you should get them too.  Well worth the money.
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Post by: Kelly on Feb 23, 2006, 07:52 AM
Had the regular ones for the old Palomino and just bought the high wind model for the Jayco.  I love 'em.  The new ones seem to be better made and sturdier than the old ones.  I'll have to let you know after they've been field-tested.[/FONT]
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Post by: OC Campers on Feb 23, 2006, 10:02 AM
We have them also.  Super product.  They are not just an insulator.  They work great for keeping the bunkends clean when camping under trees or in dusty conditions.  

Jacqui
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Post by: ilovecamping on Feb 24, 2006, 11:02 AM
We just got ours a few wks ago and haven't tried them yet.  I read so many positive reviews on them that I felt we couldn't go wrong.  We are looking forward to using ours.
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Post by: PopUpMomma on Feb 28, 2006, 12:26 PM
We love ours.......silver up in the heat, silver down in the cold.  Love em, love em, love em!!!!!!
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Post by: PITPOP27 on Feb 28, 2006, 01:30 PM
We used ours this past weekend, we've never not camped without them, as this was our first trip and we bought them before we went.  We had 0 condensation, we were camping at the beach with very moist nightly air, nothing. We weren't cold buut we did run our furnace just before we went to bed, and on one morning. It literally got too hot  :D.  We had solar side down.  There were 9 PT in the campgrounds and we were the only ones with them, so maybe they just don't know about em  :p how sad for them JK.  We live in CA, so don't how needed they are in other states and with other weather!
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Post by: oldmoose on Mar 01, 2006, 01:15 PM
The gizmos solved our condensation problem also. I've also put velco on the top of the trailer and gizmos so I don't have to worry about the clamps. I also replaced the clamps with large ones from HD.

Moose
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Post by: The Tree Top Inn II on Mar 02, 2006, 08:06 PM
We have two products from Pop-Up Gizmos:  the solar bunk end covers and the air conditioner cover brace.  Both work as advertised, and both have lasted for years.  We live in the Southeast, and believe me; if we camp in the summer, we need our 15,000 BTU air conditioner and the solar bunk end covers!  --Scott
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Post by: griffsmom on Mar 02, 2006, 09:22 PM
We never (and I mean never) leave home without them. We bought ours 4 years ago. We have used ours on every single camp out (we camp 9-12 times per year, mostly 3 nights/trip, with a couple of 4 nighters as well) and ours are still in excellent shape. They are superb quality and well worth the cost.
 
 
If you're loking for other "goodies" that you can't camp without, I also highly recommend the camping mat PUT sells ( http://www.popuptimes.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=912_mat&Category_Code=Camp (//%22http://www.popuptimes.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=912_mat&Category_Code=Camp%22) )
 
We've had ours for 3 years and it is also still in excellent shape. It is wonderful at helping to keep dirt out of the camper and is absolutley indispensible in the rain...and as a charter member of SCCampers, I know a little about camping in the rain. ;) The dirt/mud easily washes off with a spray from the hose and it dries quickly. Again, another product we don't leave home without and worth every penny.
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Post by: outtahere on Mar 21, 2006, 04:17 PM
Quote from: Captain CookThey sound like a really good product and for under $100 how can you go wrong? Just wanted some first hand info before buying some.

For those of you that dont know what I am talking about here is the link.....

http://www.popupgizmos.com/

Thanks for any info.


Excuse me . . . hope you don't mind someone new (and fairly ignorant) bumping in here.  I've been cruising the posts here most of the day (don't tell the boss) and I'm beginning to feel VERY initimidated.

We were tent campers for years and just bought (and haven't even picked up yet) a 2004 10' Jayco.  All these cool accessories and I'm thinking the camper is going to become something like the boat - a whole in the water to throw money into, except in this case -- it don't float.

How delusional am I to think I can pack up some weenies and the coffee pot and get away for a weekend without all the extras?

Please tell me I haven't created another money pit LOL!
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Post by: wavery on Mar 21, 2006, 04:23 PM
Quote from: outtahere

Excuse me . . . hope you don't mind someone new (and fairly ignorant) bumping in here.  I've been cruising the posts here most of the day (don't tell the boss) and I'm beginning to feel VERY initimidated.

We were tent campers for years and just bought (and haven't even picked up yet) a 2004 10' Jayco.  All these cool accessories and I'm thinking the camper is going to become something like the boat - a whole in the water to throw money into, except in this case -- it don't float.

How delusional am I to think I can pack up some weenies and the coffee pot and get away for a weekend without all the extras?

Please tell me I haven't created another money pit LOL!
Camping is just like any other hobby. The more you get into it, the more $ you spend on it.

It is all a matter of comfort level and safety. Of course, you can duck away for a weekend or a week with absolutely no creature comforts. PU Gizmos are certainly not a necessity. They are a luxury. As far as that goes, the PU is not a necessity. There's always the good ol' sleeping bag under the stars :tent: .

Go camping and enjoy yourself.....that's what it's all about.  :D
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but if you have a couple extra $....the PUGizmos sure are nice. :p
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Post by: outtahere on Mar 21, 2006, 04:31 PM
Whew -- Thank the good Lord!  I'll just have to make sure DH doesn't see this web site or I'm in deep doodie!

Moved up to Pop-Up because the ground got harder and gravity stronger every year that goes by!

I'm hoping we'll use the camper so much that the yard anchor (formerly known as the boat) will become less of an obsession.

Thanks again!  I've been enjoying my lurking all day  :)
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Post by: jakelaw on Mar 22, 2006, 12:38 AM
I will ditto all others!! :D   We have the Emergency Blankets from Cabela's and they work great.  Never go out without them, and allways use them.  As has been said before, silver up in wam weather, and down in cold weather.
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Post by: tlhdoc on Mar 22, 2006, 05:55 AM
I have a lot of "toys" for my PU, but I have been PU camping for 10 years.  Don't feel you HAVE to get something for your PU.  Take the basics and a pen and paper and make a list of what you really need.  The extras are just that, extra.:)
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Post by: Kelly on Mar 22, 2006, 07:05 AM
Quote from: outtahereHow delusional am I to think I can pack up some weenies and the coffee pot and get away for a weekend without all the extras?

Not delusional at all!!  That's pretty much how I camped the first 4 years I had a PU.  

Tracy makes a great point ~ that's what I did.  I kept track of the extras I wanted and as I got to a point where I could start adding them, I did.  Some trips the extras stay in the garage.

Keep it simple and manageable ~ otherwise it's too much like work!!!
Title: Cold weather test was good for us
Post by: ppritche on Feb 17, 2008, 08:21 PM
In January
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Post by: TexasCamper on Mar 03, 2008, 12:19 PM
Why dont you make a sticky for this.
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Post by: wavery on Mar 03, 2008, 01:47 PM
Quote from: TexasCamperWhy dont you make a sticky for this.
Because then we would have to have a sticky for brake controllers, awnings, controllers, inverters, showers, toilets, wheel bearings, tires, axles, dutch ovens, recipes, stoves, heaters........... and on & on.

It's easy enough to do a "Simple Search" on any of these items to find an abundance of information.  :sombraro:
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Post by: PattieAM on Mar 04, 2008, 05:21 PM
I have them and use them winter and summer.  Shiny side up for summer, Shiny side down for winter.....they really do help.
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Post by: denbert on Mar 04, 2008, 05:36 PM
Well, I'm glad to see all the positive reports.  I just ordered a set and they should be here by the weekend.  Looking forward to using them for the first time!
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Post by: tyrrionn on Mar 06, 2008, 07:07 PM
I bought a set for my Starcraft (including slideout) and couldn't be happier.  They go up easy and I use them in winter and summer.  I haven't noticed a big difference in the cold yet, but it definitely pays for itself in the summer.  Takes a HUGE load off the A/C.  My only complaint is the cheap clamps that came with it.  I've had to replace quite a few in the last two years because they just don't stay taut after so long.  I still swear by the product though...  :)
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Post by: Griegox on Aug 10, 2008, 11:15 PM
Hi Captain,
We saw these and went to the local store and found solar blankets for a bit cheaper. They work great and make a big difference in the temp. We bought a couple more to cover the ice chests on hotter days.
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Post by: wavery on Aug 11, 2008, 12:30 AM
Quote from: tyrrionnI bought a set for my Starcraft (including slideout) and couldn't be happier.  They go up easy and I use them in winter and summer.  I haven't noticed a big difference in the cold yet, but it definitely pays for itself in the summer.  Takes a HUGE load off the A/C.  My only complaint is the cheap clamps that came with it.  I've had to replace quite a few in the last two years because they just don't stay taut after so long.  I still swear by the product though...  :)
Don't know if you've camped in the winter without them but if you have, I'm sure that you have dealt with condensation. The Gizmos will all but eliminate that problem. :sombraro:
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Post by: SheBantam on Aug 12, 2008, 09:45 AM
Quote from: tyrrionnMy only complaint is the cheap clamps that came with it.  I've had to replace quite a few in the last two years because they just don't stay taut after so long.  I still swear by the product though...  :)

I still have most of mine (clamps), though rusty they be. I have had mine for about 5 years...so either changed since I bought my covers or you must camp a whole lot more than I do.  I have lost a couple/three over the years.
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Post by: bud121156 on Aug 12, 2008, 10:40 AM
I too have had bad luck with the small clamps that came with the gizmos holding the high wind version on at times.
Saw on another forum , someone tried bigger clamps from Dollar Tree. I have had them on here in CampBackYard , and they have stayed on so far.
EBAY had 100 clamps, looked to be just like the original, for $20 plus shipping.
(http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/15057/2667183450101187768S500x500Q85.jpg)
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Post by: wavery on Aug 12, 2008, 11:22 AM
I don't like the clamps at all. I just ran a single (waxed twine) stitch through the basting on the Gizmo and the basting on the camper top about every 12-18". It works great. It's strong and all you have to do is clip the twine when you want to take it off for cleaning. The original holes are easy to line up to put in a new stitch. You just have to mark the covers so you know which one goes where and which direction it goes.

I used a stitching awl and a big needle:
http://www.sailrite.com/Awl-Sewing-Kit

I always leave (I should say, "Left"....I don't have that PU anymore :p ) my Gizmos on when popping down, silver side up. I see no reason to ever switch them to red side up.
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Post by: cbailey on Aug 19, 2008, 02:31 PM
I've had the gizmos for a couple of years now.  I'm in AL. and most of my camping is in the south.  We KNOW HOT around here.  They make a big difference!  Probably lowers the temp a good 7-10 degrees.....Noticed right away the a/c actually cyling in and out more often with their use.  Small investment for a big return, IMO.
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Post by: fallsrider on Aug 19, 2008, 06:48 PM
I bought 3 of the sportsmans' blankets from Campmor. I liked the blue color of them vs. the red I've seen elsewhere. One fits our double bunk end just fine. I use two for the king end. I haven't sewn them together yet, I just overlap them. We've used them once last month, and I could tell a difference inside, though it wasn't beastly hot outside, just warm.

I'm looking forward to trying them in cooler weather, flipped over!