Best Bang for the Buck Battery or Electric Trimmers?

TECHNOKID

Very interesting back in 2008, daboys started a thread on gas hedge trimmers. Since it doesn't cover battery and electric trimmers thus the reason for this thread.

I have used some cheap and medium quality electric ones in the past and I wasn't impressed at all. The main pain always seemed to be the string mecanism which often would fail to work appropriately.

Now my main reason for considering electric and-or battery operated are a bad back and recent operation that makes me aware that I am slowly aging and I need lightweight and efficient tools. Even cranking the gaz lawn mower gets to be a pain at times.

Yet, I am aware of the workx battery operated trimmer type but when it come to battery operated however, I wouldn't mind having feed back from someone that already uses it and can provide me with honest feedback. If anyone knows or uses any other brands of battery operated trimmers let me know what you suggest and the reason for choosing. However if battery trimmers are not yet up to par then I am also looking for electric options even if...

I am not too keen about electric ones but I am convinced there are good proven ones out there that have good rating from users and therefore are worhtwhile mentionning.

If anyone has CR info would also be much appreciated.

Please avoid comments on any gaz ones since there is already a thread for that type and has I mentioned, the first requirement is light weight which however must be of good quality (reliable). Thank you in advance for your help

Cheers! :cool:
TK

TECHNOKID

I posted little late in the evening... tomorrow is another day... hopefully I'll find some positive info on this thread sometime tomorrow :cool:

Good night all!

TK

Polkitup2

I've used this: http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-NST2018-Cordless-Batteries/dp/B0001Q2EMU for the last 4 -5 years without a single problem. It's fine for light trimming duties around the house and no more "bumping" to get the line to feed - if you have to clear a field it is not for you. I've had both gas and corded electric trimmers and they are both a hassle.

Radridd

I bought one of the Torx 18v lithium hedge trimmers last year. After a full charge trimmed all of my bushes (approx 30min), Very light and worked great. Thought I had found the wonder tool. The next use was a different story. Pulled the battery off the charger and inserted into the trimmer. Pulled the trigger and NADA. Back to dragging the cord.

TECHNOKID

Polkitup2 wrote: »

I've used this: http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-NST2018-Cordless-Batteries/dp/B0001Q2EMU for the last 4 -5 years without a single problem. It's fine for light trimming duties around the house and no more "bumping" to get the line to feed - if you have to clear a field it is not for you. I've had both gas and corded electric trimmers and they are both a hassle.

Ok, n ice to hear however, never been too keen on BD products. Thy have great ideas and often are ahead of their competitors but as far as quality I never been impressed and stayed away from their products. However, if there were provisions in the dewalt line I'd surely consider

Radridd wrote: »

I bought one of the Torx 18v lithium hedge trimmers last year. After a full charge trimmed all of my bushes (approx 30min), Very light and worked great. Thought I had found the wonder tool. The next use was a different story. Pulled the battery off the charger and inserted into the trimmer. Pulled the trigger and NADA. Back to dragging the cord.

What have you done, returned it? What you are describing is failure for the charger to recharge it. Is this due to human error or product failure? Unless you can provide me with more details of your encounter I can not either dismiss or welcome this product. Can you tell us what was the end result with this product? Anyone else has had good or bad experience with this product?

Cheers!
TK

Face

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-Norelco-T980-Vacuum-Trimmer/dp/B000FEF1V4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1274911334&sr=8-1

Polkersince85

If you get one with a lead/acid battery, don't let it run all the way down. Keep a good charge on it or it will kill it. I have heard that the lithium ion batteries work fairly well. Look at Troy-bilt.

Radridd

TECHNOKID wrote: »

What have you done, returned it? What you are describing is failure for the charger to recharge it. Is this due to human error or product failure? Unless you can provide me with more details of your encounter I can not either dismiss or welcome this product. Can you tell us what was the end result with this product? Anyone else has had good or bad experience with this product?

Cheers!
TK

Actually a sales rep came around trying to get our store to sell them. Gave me a great trial offer to try one and it was just what I was looking for. I only have some light duty trimming too much for a gas powered stihl which we sell as a dealer. He ordered it for me, and have not seen him since last summer. It is not a charger failure as the charger shows "fully charged" and the battery reads 18v on my voltage meter. The end result is, it is still at the store, waiting for the product support the rep promised me. Maybe I just got a lemon, just glad I did not have to pay retail price. Maybe the rep lost his job? So guess I will chalk it up as "Human Error" for buying it. Hope you have better luck.

TECHNOKID

Face wrote: »

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-Norelco-T980-Vacuum-Trimmer/dp/B000FEF1V4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1274911334&sr=8-1

LOL :cool:

Radridd wrote: »

Actually a sales rep came around trying to get our store to sell them. Gave me a great trial offer to try one and it was just what I was looking for. I only have some light duty trimming too much for a gas powered stihl which we sell as a dealer. He ordered it for me, and have not seen him since last summer. It is not a charger failure as the charger shows "fully charged" and the battery reads 18v on my voltage meter. The end result is, it is still at the store, waiting for the product support the rep promised me. Maybe I just got a lemon, just glad I did not have to pay retail price. Maybe the rep lost his job? So guess I will chalk it up as "Human Error" for buying it. Hope you have better luck.

I wouldn't buy such unless I get good feed back and yet yours is far from being good. It is however nice that they looking for store to distribute the product as I am not too keen about buying an unproven product on line.

Troy-built is an idea, I'd have to look them up. Thanks!

FiveORacing

Little Wonder makes the best electric Trimmers, hands down imho. They are expensive, but the only electric ones that held up for me. I use mostly gas, but the LW are still perform as well, if you don't mind a cord.

TECHNOKID

Troy-built is an idea, I'd have to look them up. Thanks!

Unfortunately they are all gaz powered (at least here in Canada)

FiveORacing wrote: »

Little Wonder makes the best electric Trimmers, hands down imho. They are expensive, but the only electric ones that held up for me. I use mostly gas, but the LW are still perform as well, if you don't mind a cord.

I'll check them out, thanks.

dorokusai

Omg.....I am clearly not fully awake from my nap tonight. Sorry Rene.

RuSsMaN

WOW. That was sig worthy, but I will refrain. Kind of reminds me of an email someone wrote recently.

On topic - battery tech has come a long way in the past few years, I've been wanting to check out a rechargeable and see how it does. That being said, I have a straight shaft Riobi gas - and I turned the idle up slightly - I don't even have to touch the throttle while trimming, I just walk along.

I depends on what you are trimming, but there are new heads you can buy that have an ABS (replaceable) blade, instead of dealing with the spool of nylon.

Cheers,
Russ

FiveORacing

TECHNOKID wrote: »

Unfortunately they are all gaz powered (at least here in Canada) I'll check them out, thanks.

Just reread your post and think we may be talking about two differenet things. I was talking about hedge trimmers and I see you mentioned "line" as in a line as in what I refer to as a weed-wacker. Sorry for the confusion.


Joe

TECHNOKID

RuSsMaN wrote: »

WOW. That was sig worthy, but I will refrain. Kind of reminds me of an email someone wrote recently.

On topic - battery tech has come a long way in the past few years, I've been wanting to check out a rechargeable and see how it does. That being said, I have a straight shaft Riobi gas - and I turned the idle up slightly - I don't even have to touch the throttle while trimming, I just walk along.

I depends on what you are trimming, but there are new heads you can buy that have an ABS (replaceable) blade, instead of dealing with the spool of nylon.
Cheers,
Russ

That would be great as I always hated that dinky nylon strings. I have one in the workshop that still look pretty new. I didn't liked it and forgot about it. I've seen some advertised on TV with different blades but like I mentioned, I will not ordfer new product online. I need the reassurance of easy return to my favorite store (unless a business like Polk that offers you the free shipping-return if you do noy like the product ) Thanks for the info, I'll check them out!

Doro, take your time and once you are awake will read you.

Cheers!
TK

dorokusai

I need to shake the marbles around a bit more when I wake up next time....sheesh.

RuSsMaN

You have plenty on your plate mentally right now, and I know with you at the wheel it will be a GREAT show.

TECHNOKID

How about a good cold shower, gets your heart pumping and wakes the living poopoo out of you

TECHNOKID

Very interesting reviews;
http://products.howstuffworks.com/electric-string-trimmer-reviews.htm

TECHNOKID

Humm, never cared for Black & Decker but a couple people brought some good points about their 18 volts battery operated. So far not too many comments here on battery trimmers

Cheers!
TK