Did a lot of research before buying into their system because I have some Dewalt 20V stuff but I’m not a fan of their OPE. Makita would have been my second choice for home use. This tear down review of the Ego blower highlights the option . The long service time is a well-known issue within the community.
The main selling points of this model are the Powerload line reload feature and the carbon fiber shaft. You could do without them, but personally I am really liking the auto-winding head. Having experienced it, I’d pay the premium for this feature.
The other really notable feature of the new EGO Carbon Fiber String Trimmer is the Powerload auto-feeding head. Anyone who has wrestled with loading fresh line into a string trimmer head understands this. Some systems work better than others—but none work as easily as the Powerload system. However, weight distribution plays a big part in how comfortable the string trimmer actually feels. The feather-light shaft doesn’t mean a whole lot if the trimmer is unbalanced. You wind up having to physically overcompensate by keeping the heavy side lifted up.
However, attachment systems use a driveshaft to run each attachment and create an electrical separation from the power source. Our best guess is that there’s an additional electrical connection for both sides. We’ll dive deeper once we get one in our hands. It is powerful and the string IQ feature is excellent. Very light weight and the battery lasts over an hour when in constant use, just perfect to take a break and quickly recharge the battery. This “string trimmer/weed eater” is powerful…be sure to buy the shoulder strap(a harness would be better!?but is unavailable?) before use.
I have 2 batteries, so it’s not as big an issue for me, but extra batteries are expensive. Keep in mind that EGO’s batteries will fit all of their products, so if you have more than one EGO tool, the ability to swap batteries is a big plus. As the string becomes too short, just tap the head on a hard surface and the line will feed out automatically.
EGO is the way to go for home owner, battery powered , lawn equipment no doubt. The power is beyond impressive, and the Power Load feature is worth the additional investment. Needless to say, I can maintain my entire yard (well, front or back, can’t do both without recharging) with ease.
The powerload string trimmer is definitely worth the price of admission. In our testing, there’s just not a lot to complain about. The handle could stand to be a tad stiffer and larger—a small ding on an otherwise superb product. The power and balance are as solid as the previous model and there’s a noticeable weight difference in favor of the new carbon-fiber shafted model.
Just feed the line into the head and press a button to automatically rewind. Carbon fiber shaft is stronger than any other on the market, so strong that it’s guaranteed for life. I guess I have been fortunate in my EGO experiences. I have both the blower and hedge clippers and they have been great.