looks great in beekeeping catalogs, but not my style

I want to maximize my beekeeping experience, do no harm, and keep only the essential set of beekeeping gadgets. Catalogs, in general, display colorful items that look so pretty/exciting/unique/flashy/nice.   Sometimes the gadget evaluation requires more than my imagination, but actual experience.  Here is a short list of items that look great in beekeeping catalogs, but after testing in my backyard (in-town Atlanta apiary) are just not my style:

• leather bee gloves
• bee brush
• boardman entrance feeder
• hive top feeder
• pollen substitute

I am not saying that a particular gadget is harmful or bad.  Yeah, it is embarrassing to admit that I purchased all these items, oh well.