Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. Having more than one EGO product allows you to always have one charging while you’re using a tool. About the only “down side” is that it feels a bit like I’m using a Fisher Price “My First Lawn Mower” toy at first. Then I remember all the irritation of owning a gas mower I don’t have anymore.
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.
And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. Fortunately, the guard keeps the flying detritus from our faces, and the noise level is what we’ve come to expect from quieter battery-powered tools. Ego sells larger batteries for longer jobs, as well as a rapid charger, and these are pricey, especially if you’re not committed to the Ego line of tools.
But with respect to your battery use I’m surprised it took so much. I can clean up my tree patch (roughly a 1/3 acre) with my echo in one battery charge and it’s a 58V 4AH kit. I’d like to see a comparision (or I’m willing to do one next year if asked) between some of the other systems. I have the Echo 58V system and the Gen 1 trimmer motor. EGO now makes one with attachment capabilities too.
The EGO POWER+ 56-Volt 7.5Ah battery uses industry-leading ARC Lithium™ technology to deliver Power Beyond Belief™ and is compatible with all EGO outdoor power equipment. 0.095” twisted trimmer line is recommended for use in all EGO string trimmers. Replacement string trimmer head is exclusively compatible with the EGO POWER+ POWERLOAD™ String Trimmer (model ST1520S & ST1520).