This quiet, clean-running cordless tool is ideal for anyone who needs to clip tall, awkwardly-sited, or hard-to-reach hedges and shrubs. It effectively trims to a height of ten feet, thanks to two interlocking components that form an extended pole shape. The hardened, machined steel 18-inch cutting blade is exceptionally durable and features dual action to minimize vibration and increase user comfort. The 180-degree pivoting head adjusts to five different positions for hedges both high and low and effectively trims branches up to 7/16-inch in diameter. A powerful 18-volt NiCad battery provides 2400 revolutions per minute and runs the trimmer for up to 50 minutes between charges, as well as starting up effortlessly with the press of a trigger. (A locking switch enhances safety by preventing accidental starts.) Without a cumbersome electrical cord to drag around, even big jobs feel easier, and there are never any oil, gas, or tune-ups needed.

A Lot Shorter than Advertised!

After dropping $250 a year into having a landscaper trim my hemlocks (12 feet high-which is the only thing he does, I do all the rest anyway) I thought it made sense to buy my own hedge trimmer that was capable of long reaches. I spotted this unit for $129.00 in Lowes last year, but this year they don't have it. It turns out on Amazon it is cheaper anyway. My disspointment is the overall length. It is clearly marked on the box that the unit is 10 ft end to end, when in reality it is only about 6'5". I fiddled with it for 20 minutes figuring it must extend. I called B&D customer service and the nice girl on the phone explained "they didn't do a good job of describing the machine, it's 10 feet when you extend your arms". I gotta tell you - I'm 6'6" and even so there's no way my arms extend 3.5 feet. ^M
^M
I think based on the reviews this machine will still work OK - but buyer beware - it doesn't have the reach that is clearly labeled on the box.

Pleasantly surprised..

When I needed a pole trimmer, the reviews in Amazon convinced me to give this one a try. First time out I used it for about 30 minutes (combined sustained operation). The battery held up admirably with no sign of losing power. It trimmed through everything up to about 1/3 of an inch without a problem. 1/2 an inch and above slowed it down and stalled it on several occasions. I bought this with the knowledge that this isn't a gas powered unit or heavy duty electric model with that kind of performance. My high trimming is mostly ligt duty and a good match for what this trimmer is capable of. It can be a little unwieldly but if you can operate a gas powered or heavy duty electric weed eater, this won't be a problem. I have other battery powered tools and usually get two to three years of light duty service before the battery stops holding a charge. I'd guess similar service from this. Replacement batteries are about 50 dollars. Note that you should store batteries inside or in an otherwise climate controlled environment (above +/- 60 degrees F). It's very quiet relative to another electric trimmer I own. In summation, if you need the reach of a pole trimmer for light duty and short duration trimming (+/- 30 minutes in my estimation), I can recommend this one.

It saved my landscape

For some time now I have considered removing some large hemlocks that form the anchor for the design of my front yard landscape. The bushes are in good health but their size makes it increasingly difficult to maintain them.^M
I have had to use makeshift pole extensions to reach the uppermost portions.^M
Handling these contraptions has been difficult and as I am aging right along with the landscape, I've considered removing the largest of these beautiful plants.^M
With this tool I managed to accomplish my pruning tasks in less than two hours, a task that had previously taken four or more (that I had to spread over several days).^M
Plenty of battery power for my needs.