I would get the thick brass connectors and use metal strap clamps. even with the metal strap clamps you still have to periodiclly retighten. Regardless of the type of hose they work loose. I used RTV or super glue with some sucess at the joints and on the screw threads. IMO the plastic ones arn't worth a dare.

Found what seems like a pretty good site for garden hose info at... http://www.irrigation.learnabout.info/guide-hose-reels.htm (see info below followind email) Sounds like not only the hose, but the method of storage is important. Also sounds like rubber, 6 to 8-ply, with brass fittings is the better choice. Now just need to find the brand. Not sure about the ultra-violet effect on rubber, but guess thats where the storage method comes in. Would rather not get into a reel type storage (just another mechanical device to deal with and maintain), but would rather hand coil and keep under cover, so need hose that could handle being handled ! Other thoughts ? --------------- http://www.irrigation.learnabout.info/guide-hose-reels.htm Because it is used often, if not every day, a garden hose must be durable, kink free and easy to store. Hose reels, although equally unglamorous, must be sturdy, rust-proof, and designed to discourage kinking. When choosing a garden hose, the most important characteristics to consider are: Material the hose is made from, such as rubber, vinyl, or a combination of both. Hose strength reflected in the number of plies or layers. The more plies, the stronger the hose. Usually, garden hose or household hoses have 3 to 6 plies. Diameter of the hose, which indicates the amount of water the hose can deliver. Usual diameters are 1/2", 5/8" and 3/4". Length of the hose25 to 100 feet is common. Of course this sounds obvious, but how many times have you gone to wash or water something and the darn thing just won't reach! Fittings made of brass are the most durable. Plastic fittings are also available and are sometimes easier to tighten or turn when attaching to the hose. Correct storage is the most important part of keeping your garden hose in good condition. Exposure to the sun, hot water, folding or bending can all cause the hose material to weaken, and encourages kinking and cracking. The best way to store a hose is in large coils hanging on a hose reel or bracket, or lying in a hose pot or bucket. There are lots of hose storage solutions out there, so choose the best one for your situation by looking at the length of hose (a long hose needs a bigger bracket or hose reel), and the location of the water supply before making your decision. Garden Hose Showdown: Rubber vs. Vinyl Really, it's no contest. One hundred percent rubber hoses are considered to be the best quality, but they are also slightly more expensive. 4-ply garden hose: A medium duty hose, perfect for home gardens. Reinforced vinyl or rubber/vinyl construction. 5-ply garden hose: A heavy duty hose perfect for a large gardens and frequent use. Reinforced vinyl or rubber/vinyl construction. 6-ply to 8-ply commercial hose: A super heavy duty, non-kinking hose for commercial or farm applications. Usually rubber construction. Wall mount hose reel: Attaches to the wall and feed the hose out either parallel or perpendicular to the wall. Cart or wagon hose reel: A portable hose reel on wheels. Ideal for large gardens with multiple water faucets.

You probably need to do it multiple steps, a 1-1/2" slip to NPT adapter, then a reducer to get you down to a size where you can find a NPT to garden hose thread adapter.

I recently bought my first expandable hose ever, and I need another much longer one for the other side of the garden. I'm hoping others here may now have many years of experience with these and may be able recommend brands that perform and last, and which brands to avoid. What I like about my Hydro-Tech brand: fairly sturdy fittings, brass shutoff, lightweight, doesn't kink very much, looks attractive What I don't like about my Hydro-Tech brand: It extends to full length only under pressure, and only when you aren't using water. As soon as you open the business end and start applying water the hose aggressively pulls you back toward the spigot, trying to shrink back to its un-expanded length. This shrinking and tightening can then smash garden plants that weren't in danger when the hose was expanded. Do all expandable hoses behave this way, are there some that don't do this?