cody1325
Well-known member
Last year, I decided to dip my toes into cordless outdoor power equipment, starting with this little Craftsman which was on sale at the time. A little gutless, but works amazingly well in tight spaces. The reduction in noise, vibration, and especially weight make it much easier to use. Mostly bought it for my grandmother since she didn't have to start it, but I swear, I'm more and more certain I'm making the switch myself. Even with large batteries, it's still lighter than gas equipment. As long as the batteries are charged up, you're good to go.
However, because of the small size, it's really not suited to heavy jobs (a sizeable 3 acre yard and occasional fence line work). I mostly use it in places where the more powerful gas weedwhackers can do damage or are too large to fit (i..e greenhouse).
For comparison, the gas trimmers belonging to myself and my grandmother are both Stihl--FS40C and FS70R. FS40C has a 15 inch swath, 70R 16.5.
The first question I have--should I get something other than the 20v stuff most of the entry level offerings seem to be? Seems even Craftsman has more powerful models, but running on the same 20V batteries. Guessing the 18/20v stuff may be more in tune with what the 40C can do, but not the 70R. For the standard cordless tool platforms, I'm not above selling the Craftsman junk off and buying a different platform. Yet, for the more powerful outdoor power platforms--don't know. Really don't use the hedge trimmer and blower enough--though I could use a new blower since the twenty-year-old Sears Craftsman I have needs a ton of work.
Also, batteries. My stack of Craftsman batteries are 1x 6 amp, 1x 4 amp, and 1x 2 amp. The 6 amp seems to last a decent amount, . So, should I still continue to buy two?. Seems that if I do, for most, 6-8 amp hour batteries cost almost as much as the tool--at least 50%. Most seem to come packed with a 4 amp battery. It seems that high-drain tools have more power on higher amp batteries, but they're costly.
Budget is around $300, plus about 50% of that on top for an extra battery or two. Locally, I have Lowe's (Kobalt, Craftsman, EGO, and maybe Toro?), Stihl (my favorite independent dealer, Deere, Ace), another Stihl dealer (that also sells Toro), and Rural King. Plus probably more than a few outdoor power dealers I don't know about (which may sell more of the Husqvarna lineup).
Harbor Freight. I'm there quite often, and I may wait for coupons since I'm sure I'll enevitably get a 25% off coupon when I renew ITC next month.
Husqvarna 320 iLX. 36V, 16 inch swath, so between the two in performance. $300 with a 4 amp battery, and the additional 8 amp battery is currently $150 on special. But, so far, haven't found a local dealer.
Milwaukee's got a ton of them, and Rural King does sell some of them. Given that even the pro models are 18V, they should be lighter than most others.
I'm really liking this Quik-Lok model, and the brush cutter attachment that is bundled with it should come in handy. $300, but I may add some of the bigger batteries and the pole saw if I decide to order it.
Echo--apparently, we've got an Echo dealer a couple towns over.
www.echo-usa.com
Ryobi--little more than an hour for a Home Depot. This one's $230 with a 4.0 AH battery. Like the Milwaukee, it's got a quick-swap shaft that can take other attachmennts. My grandmother should like the weight due to the carbon fiber shaft. Extra 4.0AH battery $100, plus $100 for the brush cutter attachment. Also, I think 2 4.0 AH batteries can handle the whole yard or even a decent amount of brush cutting along fences and the like.
Kobalt 24V with a 14-inch swath (smaller than what I'd like, but it's $130 and sold at my local Lowe's--still a huge upgrade over the little 20V Craftsman.
And Harbor Freight. Cheaper, and I figure if I pay the little bit extra for the two-year warranty, they have to replace it regardless. Also, my ITC renewal is coming up, and I seem to recall that came with a 25% off coupon when I renewed it last year.
The main problem I have is that once you factor in the batteries and chargers, they're slightly more than the competition.
Supposedly, the 80V is comparable to an EGO.
However, because of the small size, it's really not suited to heavy jobs (a sizeable 3 acre yard and occasional fence line work). I mostly use it in places where the more powerful gas weedwhackers can do damage or are too large to fit (i..e greenhouse).
For comparison, the gas trimmers belonging to myself and my grandmother are both Stihl--FS40C and FS70R. FS40C has a 15 inch swath, 70R 16.5.
The first question I have--should I get something other than the 20v stuff most of the entry level offerings seem to be? Seems even Craftsman has more powerful models, but running on the same 20V batteries. Guessing the 18/20v stuff may be more in tune with what the 40C can do, but not the 70R. For the standard cordless tool platforms, I'm not above selling the Craftsman junk off and buying a different platform. Yet, for the more powerful outdoor power platforms--don't know. Really don't use the hedge trimmer and blower enough--though I could use a new blower since the twenty-year-old Sears Craftsman I have needs a ton of work.
Also, batteries. My stack of Craftsman batteries are 1x 6 amp, 1x 4 amp, and 1x 2 amp. The 6 amp seems to last a decent amount, . So, should I still continue to buy two?. Seems that if I do, for most, 6-8 amp hour batteries cost almost as much as the tool--at least 50%. Most seem to come packed with a 4 amp battery. It seems that high-drain tools have more power on higher amp batteries, but they're costly.
Budget is around $300, plus about 50% of that on top for an extra battery or two. Locally, I have Lowe's (Kobalt, Craftsman, EGO, and maybe Toro?), Stihl (my favorite independent dealer, Deere, Ace), another Stihl dealer (that also sells Toro), and Rural King. Plus probably more than a few outdoor power dealers I don't know about (which may sell more of the Husqvarna lineup).
Harbor Freight. I'm there quite often, and I may wait for coupons since I'm sure I'll enevitably get a 25% off coupon when I renew ITC next month.
Husqvarna 320 iLX. 36V, 16 inch swath, so between the two in performance. $300 with a 4 amp battery, and the additional 8 amp battery is currently $150 on special. But, so far, haven't found a local dealer.
Milwaukee's got a ton of them, and Rural King does sell some of them. Given that even the pro models are 18V, they should be lighter than most others.
I'm really liking this Quik-Lok model, and the brush cutter attachment that is bundled with it should come in handy. $300, but I may add some of the bigger batteries and the pole saw if I decide to order it.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V 16 in. Brushless Cordless Battery Powered String Trimmer w/QUIK-LOK Attachment Capability & 8.0 Ah Battery 3016-21ST - The Home Depot
Do your all odd jobs easily with the help of this Milwaukee M Brushless Cordless Battery Powered String Trimmer w QUIKLOK Attachment Capability Battery.
www.homedepot.com
Echo--apparently, we've got an Echo dealer a couple towns over.
Trimmers & Brushcutters: Battery & Gas | ECHO
ECHO battery and gas-powered trimmers and brushcutters tackle the toughest grass and brush. Shop cordless string trimmers and more.
Ryobi--little more than an hour for a Home Depot. This one's $230 with a 4.0 AH battery. Like the Milwaukee, it's got a quick-swap shaft that can take other attachmennts. My grandmother should like the weight due to the carbon fiber shaft. Extra 4.0AH battery $100, plus $100 for the brush cutter attachment. Also, I think 2 4.0 AH batteries can handle the whole yard or even a decent amount of brush cutting along fences and the like.
RYOBI 40V HP Brushless 16 in. Cordless Carbon Fiber Shaft Attachment Capable String Trimmer with 4.0 Ah Battery and Charger RY40HPST01K - The Home Depot
Complete all your hardest work easily with this RYOBI Brushless Lithium-Ion Cordless Carbon Fiber Shaft Attachment Capable String Trimmer Battery and Charger.
www.homedepot.com
Kobalt 24V with a 14-inch swath (smaller than what I'd like, but it's $130 and sold at my local Lowe's--still a huge upgrade over the little 20V Craftsman.
And Harbor Freight. Cheaper, and I figure if I pay the little bit extra for the two-year warranty, they have to replace it regardless. Also, my ITC renewal is coming up, and I seem to recall that came with a 25% off coupon when I renewed it last year.
The main problem I have is that once you factor in the batteries and chargers, they're slightly more than the competition.
Supposedly, the 80V is comparable to an EGO.
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