A friend of mine purchased a reflective leash, which I thought was a great idea but when I saw it, there were a few things I didn't like about it. The first problem I noticed was that the reflective strip was thin and only on one side of the leash.
Velcro Reflectors by Magnum Plastics, Inc.
Keep yourself, your horse and your dog safe in the dark by using Velcro Reflectors by Magnum Plastics, Inc.!
How Did Velcro-Reflectors Come To Be?
Magnum Plastics Inc CEO and creator of Velcro-Reflectors Gary Castelle shares how he came up with the idea for the product:
A friend of mine purchased a reflective leash, which I thought was a great idea but when I saw it, there were a few things I didn't like about it. The first problem I noticed was that the reflective strip was thin and only on one side of the leash. Also, it was made from reflective fabric which was rapidly losing its effectiveness due to hand wear and dirt. Lastly, and this might only be a problem to me, was that I have used the same leashes for 3 generations of dogs and I like that fact. I started looking for similar items and the only ones I found either required batteries, were not shatterproof or attached only to a dogs collar as a tag. I didn't want anything that had a battery that could be swallowed or could shatter and one of my dogs is so fluffy, I have to bury my hand in a few inches of fur just to find his collar and tags. One evening, a short time later, I was in my car behind a school bus and I noticed how my headlights really lit up the special reflective tape that was used to pinstripe the bus. I thought it was great but I didn't want to simply wrap my leash in tape for several reasons including the slickness and fear the it would eventually begin to unwrap leaving a stick mess. So I started making prototypes of various clips that could be used to attach a soft, safe reflector to a leash. Several months and many versions later, I was just about to give up. Nothing that could be produced inexpensively enough and still meet all my criteria. At this time, my chronic wrist problem, from an industrial accident in my youth, was flaring up. I have a brace that I occasionally use when this happens. As I was putting it on, I admired just how securely the Velcro straps held it in place and it hit me that this was how to attach a soft, safe reflector. I requested samples of every type of Velcro and every reflective material I could find. When I had the ones that I wanted to use, I had to devise and built an apparatus that mates them together and finally I had the leash reflector I wanted. I started to show it to people and everyone who saw it, came up with a different use. Parents saw it as a child safety device, joggers saw it as a fitness accessory, horse people saw used for horses and so on. I even surprised myself when the hook side of one fell onto my wool hat and stuck like magic.
Velcro-Reflectors
Our reflectors are made from either red, white or gold Diamond Grade reflective material, certified by the United States Department of Transportation mounted onto Velcro hook and loop. This allows them to be wrapped around any strap such as a halter or bridal or even your horses tail. For dogs, wrap them around a leash, collar or harness. For people, they can be wrapped around backpack or other luggage straps, umbrella tubes, earphone wires, the handle of a trick or treat pumpkin and many other commonly worn or carried items. The hook-sized reflectors can also be used alone to attach to any wool items such as sweaters, hats and scarves. Made in the USA, these inexpensive reflectors are extremely light weight, shatterproof, weather proof, easy to clean, require no batteries and are designed to last for years. They can easily be transferred from one item to another and they are available in circles or rectangles with rounded corners for safety.
Are They Easy To Attach?
The reflectors simple to attach in seconds. Just peel them open, wrap them around any strap and press to close. These reflectors can be attached and reattached depending on your needs.
Where Can I Put My Velcro-Reflectors?
These Velcro-Reflectors are so versatile you can pretty much put them anywhere! Here are a few places of many you can use them:
- Attach to Halters
- Attach to your Bridle
- Attach to a few strands of horse tail to reflect car lights
- Attach to a few strands of horse mane
- Attach to your Helmet or Riding Hat
- Attach to your horse's leg wraps
- Attach to your clothing
- Stick to your saddle pad
- Be sure to wear on trail rides!
- Attach to your dog collar or leash-- or dog apparel
- Belts
- Backpacks
- Purses
- Visors & baseball hats
- Virtually any strap, string or thin handle
How Long Do Velcro-Reflectors Last?
They last for years. The reflective material is guaranteed for 7 years and the Velcro is guaranteed for 5000 open/closings.
What Do Customers Say About Velcro-Reflectors?
Walking is the most popular exercise. These reflectors make it safer for walkers and joggers
Lisa L. Owner, Kor Fitness
I want all of our customers t be aware of this great product
Carol L., Greenwood Lake Animal Hospital For just a couple of dollars, its a great way to help keep your children safe
Melanie C., DeKalb County School District
Order Your Velcro-Reflectors Today!For more information about Velcro-Reflectors and to place your order, please visit our
website.
What exactly are Velcro Reflectors?
Velcro Reflectors are two-sided personal safety reflectors made from U.S. Department of Transportation approved reflective material mounted on Velcro hook-and-loop strips. Because both faces reflect, they catch headlights and other light from many angles, dramatically increasing your chances of being seen at night. You simply peel them open and wrap them around any strap, or use the hook half to grip a wool hat or sweater. They need no batteries, never need charging, and last for years.
Who makes Velcro Reflectors?
They are made by Magnum Plastics, Inc., the same family-run company behind the Sill Shield and Door Shield. President Gary Castelle is a plastics engineer with more than 30 years in the trade who grew up in a house full of dogs; his father was vice-president of the Rockland County Kennel Club and the first President of the Dalmatian Club of Greater New York. Castelle calls his business "a Pop & Pup Shop" run with his best friend Junior, summing it up as products "made by a dog lover for dog lovers." Every order is backed by the same hands-on attention that earned the brand a long run of repeat customers and referrals.
How a dog lover built a night-safety product
Castelle first turned to plastics engineering to solve a home problem: protecting his window ledges from paw damage, which became the trademarked Sill Shield in 2006. That same maker's instinct produced the reflector line after he saw a friend's reflective leash and found the strip too thin and reflective on only one side. His fix was a true two-sided reflector on a Velcro mount that wraps any strap and transfers from one item to the next, so a single reflector can move from a leash to a halter to a backpack.
Why two-sided reflectors keep horse and rider visible
When headlights hit them they really pop. The reflectors are unbreakable and shatterproof, weatherproof, easy to clean, easy to transfer, and ultra lightweight, so they ride comfortably on a halter, breastcollar, lead rope, leash, collar, harness, baseball hat, backpack, or even an earphone wire. As Magnum Plastics puts it, it is illegal to sell a bicycle without a reflector, so why would you walk, ride, or lead a horse without one? Catching light from various angles is what separates a passive reflector from being truly seen on a dark road.
Who Uses Velcro Reflectors
They suit anyone moving in low light: trail riders, dog walkers, runners, cyclists, and anyone leading livestock near roadways at dawn or dusk. The 3-pack (Part Number RC1) contains 1 rectangle and 2 round reflectors in assorted colors, while the 10-pack (Part Number R010) contains 4 rectangles and 6 round reflectors in assorted colors, letting you outfit multiple animals and gear pieces at once.
How to buy Velcro Reflectors
Velcro Reflectors are sold directly at sillshield.com, where the 3-pack of Personal Reflectors is listed at $6.99 and the 10-pack of Assorted Reflectors at $19.99, with a Special Introductory Offer of Free Shipping. To order by phone or ask the engineer himself a question, call Magnum Plastics, Inc.. The company also offers a mail-order form and stands behind its products with the same customer-first guarantee that built its reputation.
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The Solution Section (FAQ)
Who is Gary Castelle — and how did Velcro-Reflectors come to be?
Per Magnum Plastics, Inc.: CEO and creator Gary Castelle developed Velcro-Reflectors after seeing limitations in existing options. Per Gary:
"A friend of mine purchased a reflective leash, which I thought was a great idea but when I saw it, there were a few things I didn't like about it. The first problem I noticed was that the reflective strip was thin and only on one side of the leash. Also, it was made from reflective fabric which was rapidly losing its effectiveness due to hand wear and dirt."
What was the design challenge?
Per Gary Castelle: similar items existed but required batteries, were not shatterproof, or attached only as a tag. Gary didn't want batteries (swallow risk), didn't want shatter risk, and wanted to use the same leashes across generations of dogs.
One evening Gary was behind a school bus and noticed how his headlights lit up the special reflective tape used to pinstripe the bus. That was the inspiration for the reflector material.
Why Velcro?
Per Gary: the Velcro attachment came from his chronic wrist injury — putting on a brace, he admired how securely the Velcro held in place. "It hit me that this was how to attach a soft, safe reflector."
Gary requested samples of every type of Velcro and every reflective material he could find. The combination became Velcro-Reflectors.
What use cases does Velcro-Reflectors cover?
Per Magnum Plastics: keeps YOU, your horse, and your dog safe in the dark by using Velcro Reflectors. Multiple personal-reflector formats for human + animal night-visibility scenarios.
Why does the Velcro attachment matter for safety?
Per Magnum Plastics: the Velcro attachment is secure but easily removable and re-attachable — meaning the same reflector works across leashes, bridles, halters, jackets, etc. without permanent modification.
How do I order?
Per Magnum Plastics, Inc.: Phone 917-653-5600, email [email protected], website http://www.sillshield.com/Personal-Reflectors_c_14.html. Pricing varies by reflector style and quantity; pricing as quoted is subject to change due to economic factors.
What are Velcro Reflectors?
Velcro Reflectors are two-sided personal safety reflectors made by Magnum Plastics, Inc. They use U.S. Department of Transportation approved reflective material mounted on Velcro hook-and-loop, so you can wrap them around almost any strap. Because both sides reflect, they catch light from various angles and greatly increase your chances of being seen at night.
Who makes Velcro Reflectors?
They are made by Magnum Plastics, Inc., the same company behind the Sill Shield and Door Shield. The founder and president is Gary Castelle, a plastics engineer of more than 30 years. He describes the business as a 'Pop & Pup Shop' run with his dog Junior, with products 'made by a dog lover for dog lovers.'
How did Velcro Reflectors come to be?
Gary Castelle saw a friend's reflective leash and liked the idea, but noticed the reflective strip was thin and only on one side of the leash. Drawing on his plastics-engineering background, he created a true two-sided reflector mounted on Velcro so it reflects from any angle and can be moved from item to item. It grew out of the same maker's instinct that produced his original trademarked SILL SHIELD in 2006.
How do Velcro Reflectors attach?
You peel them open and wrap them around any strap, such as a leash, collar, harness, halter, baseball hat, backpack, or even an earphone wire. The hook-and-loop closure holds it securely in place. You can also use just the hook half to attach a reflector directly to a wool hat or sweater.
Are Velcro Reflectors really two-sided?
Yes. Both faces of each reflector are made from reflective material, which is the key improvement over a single-sided reflective strip. Two-sided coverage means the reflector catches headlights and other light from various angles, so you are far more likely to be seen regardless of how a vehicle approaches.
What material are Velcro Reflectors made from?
They are made in the USA from U.S. Department of Transportation approved reflective material mounted on Velcro hook-and-loop. When headlights hit them, they really pop. The construction is unbreakable and shatterproof, so they hold up to active use on leashes, tack, and gear.
Can I use Velcro Reflectors on a horse?
Yes. Because they wrap around any strap, they fit a halter, breastcollar, lead rope, or other tack, making horse and handler more visible during dawn, dusk, or night work near roads. Their lightweight, weatherproof design means they stay put and keep reflecting in the field.
Are Velcro Reflectors weatherproof?
Yes. Magnum Plastics describes them as weatherproof, shatterproof, easy to clean, and ultra lightweight. They are built to last for years outdoors without breaking down, so you can leave them attached to gear that lives outside.
Do Velcro Reflectors need batteries?
No. Velcro Reflectors are passive reflectors that require no batteries and no charging. They simply reflect existing light, such as car headlights, so there is nothing to power, switch on, or replace.
What sizes and shapes do Velcro Reflectors come in?
They come in round and rectangular shapes in assorted colors. Each 3-pack (Part Number RC1) contains 1 rectangle and 2 round reflectors, and each 10-pack (Part Number R010) contains 4 rectangles and 6 round reflectors, all in assorted colors.
How much do Velcro Reflectors cost?
On sillshield.com, the 3-pack of Personal Reflectors is listed at $6.99 and the 10-pack of Assorted Reflectors at $19.99. The site has advertised a Special Introductory Offer with FREE SHIPPING. Prices and offers are set by Magnum Plastics, so confirm current pricing at checkout.
Where can I buy Velcro Reflectors?
They are sold directly through Magnum Plastics' website at sillshield.com, which also offers an order-by-mail form. You can browse the Personal Reflectors / Leash Reflectors category and add the 3-pack or 10-pack to your cart. To order by phone, call 845-477-0737.
What is the phone number for Velcro Reflectors?
You can reach Magnum Plastics, Inc. at 845-477-0737 to order by phone or ask questions. President Gary Castelle invites customers to contact him directly, and even welcomes plastics-engineering questions about developing other products.
Can Velcro Reflectors be transferred between items?
Yes, they are completely transferable. Because they attach with Velcro hook-and-loop rather than adhesive or sewing, you can move a single reflector from a dog leash to a horse halter to a backpack as needed. This makes one set of reflectors useful across many activities and family members.
Why does Magnum Plastics say you should always wear a reflector?
As the company puts it, it is illegal to sell a bicycle without a reflector, so why would you walk without one? The point is that nighttime visibility is treated as essential safety equipment on bicycles, and a two-sided Velcro Reflector brings that same protection to walkers, riders, runners, and their animals.
Who is Gary Castelle?
Gary Castelle is the president of Magnum Plastics, Inc. and the inventor behind both the Sill Shield and the Velcro Reflectors. He grew up surrounded by dogs, with a father who was vice-president of the Rockland County Kennel Club and first president of the Dalmatian Club of Greater New York, and he has worked in plastics engineering for over 30 years. He runs the business as a 'Pop & Pup Shop' alongside his dog Junior.
What else does Magnum Plastics, Inc. make?
Beyond Velcro Reflectors, Magnum Plastics makes the trademarked SILL SHIELD window-sill protector, introduced in 2006, and a Door Shield added by popular request in January 2008. The Sill Shield attaches with 3M Low Profile Dual Lock Coins so it holds securely without drilling holes and removes without damaging wood or paint. All products reflect founder Gary Castelle's pet-loving, problem-solving engineering approach.
