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To evaluate several garden hoses

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    Who wouldn't want a garden hose that's lightweight, expandable, and never kinks? But when those supposedly easy-to-use hoses were introduced a few years ago, most of the user reviews had complaints about how easily they broke.

    In the past, the weak point seemed to be the fittings and connections at the end of the hose. Consumer Reports tested the strength of the new fittings. It turns ou t that those made of plastic are tougher than before. And the brass fittings are even stronger. They are even stronger than those on a regular garden hose.

    Consumer Reports also tested the strength of the connection between the fittings and the hose. Each withstood over 100 pounds of force, which is good but no stronger than the older versions.

    Every hose has to have a connection between the rubber tubing and that connector, and if there's a sharp edge and it twists and turns and is bent and flexed, it's going to wear right at that point.

    Consumer Reports also tested a lightweight hose that doesn't expand. It performed well, and at 3 pounds, it's only slightly heavier than the expandable hoses. Testers did find some kinks, but they easily correct themselves when the hose is fully extended.

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