CONS > Needs a handle for easy lift-out access to the bucket below -- the simple solution is to drill another hole (opposite the existing hole) for a simple rope handle (just a 14" or so length of 1/4" diameter rope with figure-8 knots on each end). With the rope handle, it works great. The plastic is soft, I simply used an awl to drill a small hole, and a philips screwdriver to enlarge it > The storage slots of the upper trays are NOT removable nor adjustable. The slots are 1 1/4" wide by 1 1/4" deep, by up to 4 1/2" long. > Each of the two lower sections is half-moon-shaped, 1 1/2" deep, or 3 1/4" deep if without the upper tray. The two lower sections have NO dividers. However, you can use two 1 1/2 x 4 1/2" pieces of cardboard (or rigid plastic) for removable dividers, to create 3 triangular storage spaces in each section. > There is about 1 1/2" wide lost storage space beneath the hinge. Presumably this space was left to allow for the handles of other storage trays in the bucket below --- but I do not know of a specific tray system which would be compatible with the Plano Bucket Topper. As a component of a small-parts storage system, this is commendable -- for a fishing bucket, the design is lamentably wasted storage space. > Used alone, the topper is considerably less convenient than a small tackle box. For one thing, with the customer-added rope handle, you have to be careful to balance the weight distribution -- otherwise it will flop to one side. > The Topper makes a comfortable, but slippery, seat. The slipperiness can be a problem in moist environments on uneven ground -- i.e., most of the time when fishing. A few lengths of anti-slip tape can fix that. > Caution, DO NOT use a 5-gallon bucket with a Topper as a step stool -- it would probably break and/or collapse, or your foot would slip. MISLEADING DESCRIPTION -- One of the touted features "Removable bottom provides bucket access" is NOT true. The bottom is NOT removable. With a very sharp utility knife, or perhaps a jigsaw, you can permanently cut the bottom out of one or both of the lower sections. However, unless you are a very careful craftsman, that would leave a ragged hole. Moreover, if you cut the bottom out of one of the sections, you'll loose half of the already very limited storage capacity of the Topper. > The Topper snaps down on the bucket like a regular 5-gallon bucket lid, That is a mixed blessing -- it won't come loose by accident, but it is also very hard to open or remove (even here in South Florida in the summer when the temperature is 95 degrees). Some sort of easy-lock--easy-unlock system is needed. > Unlike a paint-bucket-lid, the Topper has no gasket, so a Topper-bucket system isn't leak-proof. But, even with a gasket, the Topper would not be waterproof because of the existing hole in the top of the Topper (or two holes if you add a second one for a rope handle, as I recommend). PROS > Despite the shortcoming I've listed above, I love my Plano Bucket Topper. CONCLUSION > The Topper is a great idea, but needs be redesigned as two separate products, 1) one design as component of a small-parts storage system, and 2) a different design for a fishing bucket Topper (tackle box) and stool. The present design does neither task particularly well.
