Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

First of all, let me say that this thing is a beast, cutting through shrubbery branches up to 1/2" thick, with absolutely no hesitation, although the thicker branches require you moving forward and back, in a sawing motion, to get the teeth to gradually bite into the circumference enough to sever the branch. I have a euonymus hedge surrounding my property, which is 8-10 tall and at 20 years old, has grown out of hand with my annual trimming which removes only the outer-most new growth, leaving rather thick main stubs from which they grow. Since they have spread horizontally over the years and reached about 10 feet across, I could no longer top them off for a tidy look, with my 16" Black & Decker, which won't reach the middle sprouts that rise each year, above my desired cut line. So I went online and agonized over the many different models of pole trimmers and settled on this one, due to its majority of positive reviews. I already knew that this thing was going to be a real workout (as is most of the major brands), but this one seemed to be the best of the bunch. And I found that, as most people complain, this thing is pretty heavy and unwieldy to use. In spite of my displeasure regarding how difficult it is to navigate at height and wanting to extend, cantilever style, over the top of large bushes, I would definitely purchase this again. It really gets the job done, but with considerable exhaustion and discomfort. I am 6-2 and 200 pounds, in good shape. After about an hour on ladders, my shoulders were pretty worn out. But there is no other way I am going to get the job done so, I accept this. Not everything in life can be easy. There are 2 things which I think SunJoe should consider. One of which, I know they likely would never even think about, due to potential liability, but the trigger placement, while holding and engaging in your right hand, in conjunction with how far you have to extend both arms to grasp the shaft mid way with your left hand, in order to maintain some measure of control and balance, is just plain ridiculous. And what SunJoe should add, which I just alluded to, is a trigger lock, in which you can fire it up in a safe holding position and then lock the trigger "on" so that you can more safely maneuver the trimmer with both hands using a firm grasp. As it is, I am holding this mid shaft with my left arm fully extended, while trying to awkwardly reach the trigger and safety switch with my right arm similarly extended awkwardly to the rear, where it is difficult to grasp. And the second thing, in lieu of that, is to place the trigger further forward, so that it is easier to work with. Because, after all, everyone using this pole trimmer will be holding it mid shaft with either their right or left arms, with the opposing arm handling the trigger. I know that introduces a whole new set of challenges from an engineering standpoint, with wiring and switches located in a movable area of the pole. No easy way around it. I found the most comfortable way to use this is to be able to get your torso high enough on a ladder to be able to hold the pole parallel to the ground at your waist level. That takes all of the stress off of having the equivalent of a small bowling ball cantilevered out on a long pole. We know what a fulcrum point is from physics and how leverage works. So I got out my 10' step ladder and got up high enough for my waist to be even with my cut line and then just swung the pole back and forth in sweeping motions, to barrel through all of the runaway sprouts, for a flat top cut. As one 4 Star reviewer pointed out (with pictures attached), one can purchase an EZIMATE Handle to attach at mid point, to handle this thing better. I purchased one and am waiting for it to come in, so that I can attach and test it. Too bad Sun Joe does not include this bolt on feature which would only cost them a buck or so in plastic cost. There is a shoulder strap which comes with the unit, but it is worthless, being too close to the handle to remove any leverage stress. There is a very large button which you depress to swivel the trimmer head at different angles for cutting. It is a bit hard to depress while awkwardly holding the trimmer, due to its weight. I found the easiest way to do that, is to rest the nose of the trimmer on the ground, while resting the body of the trimmer on my thigh. This thing is too "front heavy" to do that while holding it in a horizontal position. After depressing the button, you can then swivel it enough to clear the positive stop which it is in, and on to the next positive stop, for locking into place. I will still get out my 20 year old B&D 16" trimmer for side trims and top trims that are close to my ladder, and only use this pole trimmer to reach the hard to get to middle parts of the shrubs on top. If you are set on, or need a pole trimmer, I would not consider any other brand, because this is the best of the bunch, considering they are all going to be "extended front heavy". Some reviewers complain "why the heck don't manufacturers just place the motor at the rear, to remove weight on the cutting end?" But that would be a real engineering challenge to send mechanical power down a long shaft to an independent set of cutting teeth, which would introduce all sorts of opportunities for mechanical failure. Unless I cut those darned bushes down, I am doomed to the need for this trimmer and would not tackle the job without it. Just go in with eyes wide open and know what you have to deal with, ergonomically. It is very well made in spite of its physical challenges.