Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Only some will understand the title of this review. So let me spell it out: A combination leaf blower / mulcher is like a cheat code for life. Raking my back yard typically goes something like this... I go out and buy leaf bags. I'll generally buy three packs, for a total of 15 bags. I assume that I'm over-estimating because my back yard isn't really that big. How could I possibly need more? Spend an entire afternoon raking leaves. Arms feel like rubber, but I'm really only half way done. Now to start bagging. I tell the neighbor he is welcome to use any of my left over bags. By bag 12 I realize the error of my ways. Cursing the universe for the invention of Fall, I go back to the store for more bags. Of course they are sold out. So now I'm faced with the real moral dilemma of either going store-to-store to try to find more bags, or giving up, leaving the remaining piles of leaves to the whims of fate, and going inside for a glass of whiskey. Either way, I'm thinking I could just solve all of my problems if I get a chainsaw and go on a tree assassination mission throughout the neighborhood so I don't have to deal with this next year. After a friend brought over his gas-powered blower so I could clear off my driveway and patio, I realized where my life had gone wrong and how I could remedy it. I decided to opt for this corded blower. It claims to reduce the amount of bags you'll need dramatically. "Ok, little guy, you keep telling yourself that," I'm thinking condescendingly as I go ahead and buy three packs of lawn bags. I figure as long as it saves me the task of raking, I'll consider myself ahead of the game. I make 4 large piles of leaves in the yard. It takes all of about 15 minutes. Already this thing is my hero. And now it's the moment of truth. I switch over to the vacuum / mulcher. Now, you might think that what I'm about to tell you is an exaggeration. I must be lying. But I am not. I consider this year's leaf bombardment to be at least typical, and had I gone the traditional route of cursing and tears, I fully expect that it would have again taken three or more packs of bags. This thing mulched my entire yard down into THREE BAGS. Not packs. BAGS. Even as I was closing up the final (third) bag of leaves, I couldn't believe what had just happened. My neighbor was already 6 bags into his yard and had barely put a dent into his piles. That used to be me, pal. That used to be me. I had just Konami coded my yard. Ok, so if you've read this far, things to know: 1. I'm happy with this unit overall so far, but I've deducted a star because it *is* a tad bit clunky to use. Switching out between the blower tools and the mulching tools is slightly awkward. Also, the cord management isn't the best. There is a "hook" you can wrap the cord around, but because of the smooth plastic and the way it's angled, the cord still likes to slip out and if you're not careful you can unplug yourself -- not the end of the world, but annoying. 2. One thing I *DO* like about this is how much quieter it is that the gas powered units I've been around. Don't get me wrong, this thing is still like holding a mini-jet engine in terms of noise...If you've spent your life attending concerts, this may not be that big of a deal to you. Otherwise, I wouldn't consider you some sort of weirdo if you wanted to use ear protection with this thing. 3. Sort of like my German Shepherd, this thing can eat too fast if you don't keep an eye on it. You'll know when the mulcher takes too large of a bite. The suction will stop and it'll start whining like you just took away its favorite toy. Just detach and unclog the tube and don't be so impatient. You'll be fine. One final thought: I've really only tackled my yard once. It's doubtful I'll have need to use it again this year (but I'll likely let some friends use it on their yards). So I can't really speak yet as to the longevity /reliability of this unit. Update: It's been two years. You know, when that honeymoon phase is supposed to have faded and now you're actually willing to express your annoyance when the dishwasher isn't loaded the way you like (e.g., the efficient way)? Well, forget the fear that the luster will have faded. This unit is still going strong. Even scored some bonus points helping out the neighbor across the street. He had a similar unit, different brand, and marveled at how much better this one functioned. And let's face it, who doesn't like scoring some one-up points in the neighborhood? It's the little victories that count.