Black & Deckers 14in grasshog is a good product i wouldnt complain too much about it except for the fact that it the automatic line feeding mechanism is prone to problems. If you google the product alot of people have complained about this problem but i have yet to experience it. The main problem i face is the constant refilling of string required for this machine. Either im screwing up or the string im buying really sucks. I wonder if the metal strings are better but in anycase i havent had much problems with this edger although i would prefer gas then electric but for the price i cant complain. Good all around string edger. I havent tried it for trimming because just based on the edging its eating up string i cant imagine what it would be like to actually trim grass. YEah im a whiner ... this is a good product

teddyrockspin

Morgan Hill, CA

I bought the Black & Decker 14 Inch Trimmer/Edger (model GH700) at the end of last summer; it has been used twice.  This is the first device of this type I have ever used, so my views may be a bit skewed.  That being said, I found the GH700 difficult to use.  I recommend it only because it is relatively inexpensive and can do an ok job, assuming you try really hard. Like other trimmer/edgers, the GH700 can be used to trim grass (or other similar vegetation I suppose) horizontally.  And, it can be used to cut the grass at the edge, like where it hits the sidewalk.  It cuts by using a rapidly spinning wire.  When I was using the unit I hit the cutting wire against the side of my house, other cords attached to my house, etc., and it did not cut them (which was good).  It did, though, do what it was supposed to, which is to cut grass. My biggest problem with the GH700 was that it was difficult to use such that you could cut the grass evenly.  You are supposed to hold it out and swing it from side to side.  However, I could never get it at the specific proper angle to cut a limited amount of height off of my grass.  Either I would be swinging the device and not cutting anything, or I would put it too low and hack off parts of my lawn all the way to the dirt.  Again, maybe this was due to my inexperience using a grass trimmer, but I can only report what happened to me.  Even if it was due to inexperience, I would hope either the device would be easier to use for a novice or the operations manual could provide some tips. Not only did I find it hard to get the GH700 to cut right, but I found it awkward to hold.  I could never get a good method to hold and swing the machine.  The GH700 does come with an edge tool - I did not use it and it has hard for me to visualize how I would.  I think it is supposed to help you use the cutter in a vertical fashion (so as to edge along a side of lawn). This model trimmer/edger is electric and corded - so you have to plug it in.  You can use up to a 150-foot extension cord as well (assuming 120 volts).  I found plugging it in to be fine and to provide more than enough power.

DeepThinker

Bethesda, MD

We have quite a bit of monkey grass around several sectional gardens on our property.  At first, I tried using the lawn mower to trim them at the end of the season but found that didn't work on the edge of the raised gardens we have.  We purchased this string trimmer after a bit of research and recommendations from friends.  We'd tried using our neighbor's trimmer and found it jammed a bit and was front heavy, leading to tired arms after only a half hour's use. It's very well balanced and easy to use over a fairly long period without wearing out your arms.  The string was easy to load and extends itself as needed.  I've never had it get caught or stuck even when I went over a fallen branch by accident.  The adjustment from trimmer to edger is quick and easy. I tend to use headphones when I do any yardwork but did find this to be a little quieter than the lawn mower.  I still need to put the volume up a little on my ipod but I wouldn't expect any string trimmer to be silent, of course. Highly recommended for anyone who does their own yardwork.

greywords

Chapel Hill, NC

This is for the GH1000 Trimmer/Edger that uses .080 string.  I'm used to .060.  Pros: Very powerful.  My .060 has a hard time on St. Augustine, but this one buzzes right through it. Cons: Uses string very quickly.  For edging and weedeating, one spool won't finish my yard.  I'd suggest buying two spools, then you won't have to re-string 1/2 way through. Need to take care when edging, or you'll get a ragged edge; doesn't give that clean an edge, even when the guide is extended.  This may be because it has two, offset strings coming out of the spool.  On my .060, single string model, I just flip the guide down, and I get a very clean edge.  Maybe I'll get better with a little practice.

iorr61

Keller, TX

The Black & Decker GrassHog Electric trimmer definately has exceeded my expectations for a corded trimmer.  Other models that I have tried simply don't seem to continue to pack enough punch dragging 100' of cord, this one does.  It's light enough and well balanced enough and provides enough adjustment to the arm length that it's comfortable for both myself at 5' 2" and my husband at 5' 11" to utilize.  Other brands that we've tried lacked one or more of those 3 qualities and made it so that one or the other of us was miserable using the products.  The "no bump" line is very convenient when it's working correctly (which is much more frequently than with other models I've tried) but tangles do tend to happen if you're not careful next to trees or fence lines.   This unit is strong enough to trim light weight hedging/blackberries but you do have to watch branch/stalk size. In general, good all around trimmer for the price.  No major complaints.    

sno

Arlington, WA

We have owned our Black & Decker rechargable string trimmer for several years and we love it.  It comes with 2 18-volt batteries and charger.  It's much more quiet than the gas-powered models and there is no gas or oil to bother with.  And our yard is too big to bother with the electric cord models.  Pop the battery on and you're set to go.  I can easily cut it off as I move from one area of the yard to another.  The string is self-feeding.  If your yard is 1/2 acre or less, this is a good option.  If you have a bigger yard, additional batteries can be purchased.  These same batteries can also be used on the Black & Decker blower.  There's also a B & D flashlight they can be used on.  The only negative is that fully charged batteries can go dead in a week or two while sitting on the shelf. It takes 6 to 8 hours to charge the batteries with the charger.  You can purchase a charger that works in less than an hour, but I don't think the runtime is as great using that.

ModernMode

Winston Salem, NC

Only complaint I have about this edger is the height. Its non-adjustable which really stinks for about anyone over 5" 10. The price though, is amazing for what it is, I personally love the double line feed vs. the single that most "cheap" electric trimmers are. The edge guard actually stays on, unlike others I've used before and it seems much quieter than a few others I have owned (it's nice to be able to do yardwork in the early morning without waking up the neighborhood!) Given the chance, I would definitely buy it again.

coliebean4

Navarre, FL