Black & Decker GH1000 Grass Hog XP 14-Inch 7.2 Amp Electric String Trimmer/Edger
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List Price: Our Price: $64.99 You Save: $78.10 (55%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Lawn & Patio See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Black & Decker GH1000 Grass Hog XP 14-Inch 7.2 Amp Electric String Trimmer/Edger
Customer Review: 3 Strikes and your out
Summary: 1 Stars
Don't buy this POS. This should be called the "Grass Dog" instead of "grass hog". Like others I lost the cap on my first one within a few hours. Took it back to Lowes and got a new one only this time I drilled a small hole on opposite sides of the edge of the cap and inserted 2 small screws. OK, no problem, but lo and behold the thing starts spewing line like crazy, especially if you try to wind your own. Then it started breaking the line on one of the sides. So, back to Lowes. The 3rd one worked good for about 15 minutes and the line started getting caught between the cap and the hub. Then the hub flew off ( I didn't screw this cap on). I found it though cause now they are using bright orange caps instead of black ones (is this thier fix for caps flying off?). After putting it back on and firing it up things are going good for about 10 min. then the cap goes flying again. I picked it up and damn if the string didn't get caught between the hub and the cap and sawed one of the ears that hold it on right off.
OK, back to the screws on the edge. Fired up again and 10 min later the head quit spinning. That's it back to Lowes and I quit.
Total effective time used for 3 new units was about 3 hours. Total time wasted was about 3 days.
I noticed Amazon has this going for $33.00 free shipping. Guess they are trying to get rid of them. Save your money, They could give them away and I wouldn't take one, and would someone please post what they bought as an alternative to this POS (electric .080) that works!
Customer Review: 4 and half stars
Summary: 5 Stars
I just got this machine and have only used it once but I like it. All the negative reviews seemed to be related to a problem they've fixed in the newer units. I got mine in August 2010.
These things have sure grown up in the 400 years since I got my last one. I like how easy it is to adjust the length of the unit, and how the head flips around for edging. The little metal edging guide is nice too. It doesn't ride along the edge of the sidewalk like the picture shows, but it does rest on the ground and give you a nice point of balance.
I'm also glad I got the XP instead of the regular. For the extra $20, the motor is more powerful (7.2 amps instead of 5 something) and the line is thicker (0.8 instead of 0.65). The line still seems a bit light to me so I'm really glad I didn't get other.
The only reason it's four and a half stars instead of five is the no-bump thing. I like that the line advances automatically without bumping. But I can't tell what makes it do that - time of day? Alignment of the stars? How many swear words I just said? Dunno. The problem is that if you're sneaking up on a fence post or a shrub, there are times when you want to know exactly where the edge of the cutting circle is. When it advances all by it self sometimes that's a problem.
But I like everything else about this unit - except that fact that I have to whack weeds in the first place.
Customer Review: 5 years later...a great trimmer
Summary: 5 Stars
It's a shame B&D let the reputation of a very nice power tool get soiled by putting out a batch of bad ones. Mine is five years old and I couldn't be happier with it. I'm no fan boy of Black and Decker (aka Dewalt), but this is the trimmer you want if you are looking for a powerful electric trimmer. The amp draw tells the story. It will take the bark off trees so be careful; wear long pants and glasses. The motor is big, so they put it at the top like a gas trimmer. This makes it easier on your back than a smaller trimmer with the motor at the bottom.
I don't see why gas trimmers are so popular. I'm a mechanic by trade but I still don't like to have to mess with a gas motor every spring. And I have seen a lot of dead gas trimmers in peoples garages.
This one is not for fine trimming around your petunias, but it will knock down the big weeds in a fraction of the time of the smaller trimmers. If B&D has the problem fixed that every one here is talking about, buy this one. And a good extension cord.
I trim an acre of fence line and expect this thing to last for many years. And I only have to plug it in and pull the trigger.
Customer Review: A Real Disappointment
Summary: 1 Stars
I've used all types of string trimmers over the course of the last 25 years. About a month ago, I decided to get a new trimmer, so I cracked open the Consumers's Report and noticed that this one was very highly rated. Good enough, I thought, so I ran down to the local big box lumber store and bought one. However, I should have researched deeper and read the user's reviews at Consumer Report and also here at Amazon. They tell the real story. In my opinion, Consumer Reports really missed it on this one.
It cuts great. It has more than enough power. The trouble is the self-feeding line feature that sloughs off line at an incredible rate. This is not adjustable. A good 3 to 4 minutes is all that the fully loaded reel will last. The large chunks of wasted line being cut off and slung is dangerous and will sting through jeans and break the skin if shorts are worn.
Customer Review: A good string trimmer.
Summary: 5 Stars
This trimmer has plenty of power and is light weight. No gas to mix or spark plugs to change. I only wish I had got it sooner.