Weed wacker - electric or gas?

[FerrumB5]

Subject says it all. What would you buy? The lot is 0.25 acre, half is the house. Usage - weekly or even less frequent. Need it to last 10+ years. Not expensive as well (after all, we are Mustachians). May be with memorial day or even fathers day discounts I can follow one of your advices. Post your brands/models too. GO!

[Miss Piggy]

When you're shopping, lift and hold them. The gas ones always seem very heavy to me, and that's before adding any gas.

[AlwaysLearningToSave]

With a lot that small, go corded electric.  Corded will probably be cheaper than cordless upfront and it will last much longer.  The batteries are a significant portion of what you are paying for when you purchase a cordless tool.  And the batteries will die much sooner than the rest of the tool.  Just cut them out of the equation.  With gas you have on-going maintenance and fuel costs that you can completely avoid with an electric tool.

Buy a quality corded electric model and a nice long exterior extension cord and you will be good to go for many, many years.  Mine is going strong a good 15 years later with a few jerry-rigged fixes along the way (all necessitated by my stupidity, not the tool's frailty).  The only thing you will need to replace is the trimmer string. 

Edit to add:  I just perused Homedepot.com and their corded electric trimmers are substantially less expensive than the gas or cordless electric models. 

The only knock against the corded electric trimmer that I can see is the mild inconvenience of having to walk around the tree, adding 30 steps to my mowing routine.  If that is too much of an inconvenience, I'm sure you could get a catheter and bedpan to go with your cord-free trimmer :-)

[Cromacster]

For a relatively small yard, you are probably fine with electric.  Personally I would go with one that has a lithium batter.  I have .2 acres and my lithium battery will last me two rounds of weed wacking.  I would expect it to last a while, electric motors are pretty reliable and the batteries are pretty good these days, but with time the battery may start to go.

You'll probably get a longer life out of a gas powered one, though it is going to require maintenance, fuel, and oil.

[FerrumB5]

Yard is small only on paper :) It's pretty big, and takes good 40 minutes to mow front/back with self propelled Honda. I'm 35M and can still lift more than a bottle of beer, so weight is not a problem

[Midwest]

I have a bunch of ryobi 18v tools.  Batteries are interchangable with weed eater.  Depending on you tool stache, you might consider that.

[FerrumB5]

Have 20V Bosch Matrix drill/screwdriver, but I don't want to kill the battery for it with weed wacker

[neo von retorch]

My first house was on a roughly 0.20 acre lot. There were a lot of bushes but only one tree in the yard. Weed trimming was mostly about the curb along the road and near retaining walls. I purchased a corded model from Home Depot for $19.99. I think it may have been Black & Decker (because I remember it being orange and black.) I used it for about 6 years before I bought the first string refill. Never had any issues. Used a 100ft (I think) extension cord with it.

Just moved to a new place with 0.7 acres, but only a fraction of that is yard - but a large portion of it is woods with weeds growing. I should probably purchase gas, but I'm tempted to buy a 40V cordless, since I already have a hedge trimmer that uses the same kind of battery, making them interchangeable.

ETA: Maybe it was Homelite. The pictures make it look more red than I remember. (It's at my rental property / old house for maintenance usage, so I haven't laid eyes on it lately.)

[woopwoop]

I have a bunch of ryobi 18v tools.  Batteries are interchangable with weed eater.  Depending on you tool stache, you might consider that.

Same, it's never bad to have another backup battery. That said, we have a much smaller yard than the OP. Our last electric corded weedwacker literally melted on the inside from overheating when we used it for too long.

Is it really going to kill a battery that much quicker to use it once a month or so for weedwacking, Ferrum? I hadn't even considered that.

[Midwest]

Have 20V Bosch Matrix drill/screwdriver, but I don't want to kill the battery for it with weed wacker

The bosch batteries wouldn't work with the ryobi.  If Bosch makes a weed eater, I would reconsider and by a 2nd battery.  I've only killed 1 lithium ion battery in 5? years and my tools are used pretty frequently. 

While the ryobi system isn't contractor grade, they hold up fairly well and the range of tools using the same battery is crazy.

[mtn]

My experience with electric was that after a year or two, the battery wouldn't last long enough to finish our (big) yard, and I'd go in and fire up the gas one that still worked after 30 years, but was stinky and heavy.

I'd assume that batteries have gotten much better in the last 15 years though. If they have, then battery all the way. If not, gas is good.

[forummm]

With corded, just make sure to have a long enough cord of sufficient gauge to meet the load your wacker will draw. I also have a corded electric mower, so I already have a 100ft 12 gauge cord that I use.

[FerrumB5]

If going electric, I'd go with cordless. Yard is mostly rectangular with some curves but there are deep pockets where cord might not reach.
May be this combo?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-DECKER-20-Volt-Max-Lithium-ion-String-Trimmer-and-Sweeper-Combo-Kit-2-Tool-LCC300/204691351?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-BASE-PLA-D28I-PortableOutdoorPower%7c&gclid=CNzS5v3p-swCFYQ8gQodD9cIJg&gclsrc=aw.ds

Edit: reviews on 20V are not good - battery lasts 10-15 minutes. Blower too weak

[Midwest]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-ONE-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-String-Trimmer-Edger-and-Blower-Sweeper-Combo-Kit-P2013/205436804

I bought this one because of the compatability with other tools.  The first weed eater lasted 5 or 6 years used weekly on 1/2 acre.

[libertarian4321]

Electric is fine on a small lot.  Mine is 0.4 acre (I think) and corded electric works fine.

If you have a mansion with a huge lawn, though, I think the corded version would be a PITA, and would go with the gas.

[neo von retorch]

If going electric, I'd go with cordless. Yard is mostly rectangular with some curves but there are deep pockets where cord might not reach.
May be this combo?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-DECKER-20-Volt-Max-Lithium-ion-String-Trimmer-and-Sweeper-Combo-Kit-2-Tool-LCC300/204691351?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-BASE-PLA-D28I-PortableOutdoorPower%7c&gclid=CNzS5v3p-swCFYQ8gQodD9cIJg&gclsrc=aw.ds

Edit: reviews on 20V are not good - battery lasts 10-15 minutes. Blower too weak

Yeah - we actually have that blower. Our deck is huuuge, and it's enough for the deck (when dry) but not really enough for deck plus driveway. I'd step up to 40V if going with batteries, but... you're in it for a lot more cash. You really could get by with wired for a small yard like that. Looks like those trimmers are in the $30-40 range.

[ketchup]

Corded electric is my recommendation as well.  Mine's a Black and Decker and it's lasted 2.5 years so far without issue.  I think it was about $45.

I have a reel mower too.  I like our only gasoline being in our cars.

[AlwaysLearningToSave]

Do this corded one for $38,:  http://www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-DECKER-4-4-Amp-Straight-Shaft-13-in-Single-Line-2-in-1-Trimmer-and-Edger-ST7700/203614075

Get one of these for $8: http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-100-ft-16-3-Extension-Cord-HD-277-525/100650619?fbtLinkClicked=1464373191941|203615438

And if you really want a blower, get one of these at $48:  http://www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-DECKER-230-mph-385-CFM-Electric-12-Amp-Blower-Vacuum-BV3600/203615438  Bonus points because it uses the same power source as your other tool!

You'd be out less than the package you liked before and get more power, no ongoing costs, and a longer life.  You can always get an extra cord, too, if it just doesn't quite reach the back corner of the lot. 

Edited because I found a cheaper extension cord. 

[soccerluvof4]

I have a Stihl. I had electric with the chord an all but to each their own. I use a tank a gas maybe every 3x's I use it so no biggie in my mind and it does what I need. Also have a Stihl blower which is quiet and just great. Again barely use but rather have than not. Not to up to speed on the battery stuff as this stuff has lasted me along time and see no reason it wont continue to last.

[Frankies Girl]

Have a cheap (under $35 if I remember right) corded weeder that has lasted for over 13 years so far. Also have a heavy 100' outdoor extension cord that we use for other outdoor applications (we are holiday decorators with the lights and animated stuff for Halloween and X-mas) and the cord gets used for that too. :)

Our yard isn't huge, but we are required to keep all sidewalks, driveway, house foundation, flower beds and fenceline trimmed up neatly, so I do it every other mowing and it does take longer to edge than mowing the whole yard does (back and front).

We don't own a blower because they are bad for spreading garbage/dust around and horrible noise pollution and I loathe them. We have a nice push broom and rake and sweep up the sidewalks after we're done. Takes a bit more time, but it's good exercise and that's one less stupid tool taking up space in our garage.

[forummm]

If going electric, I'd go with cordless. Yard is mostly rectangular with some curves but there are deep pockets where cord might not reach.
May be this combo?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-DECKER-20-Volt-Max-Lithium-ion-String-Trimmer-and-Sweeper-Combo-Kit-2-Tool-LCC300/204691351?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-BASE-PLA-D28I-PortableOutdoorPower%7c&gclid=CNzS5v3p-swCFYQ8gQodD9cIJg&gclsrc=aw.ds

Edit: reviews on 20V are not good - battery lasts 10-15 minutes. Blower too weak

A 100 foot cord reaches just fine on my 1/3 acre lot. Maybe get a tape measure and see if you really couldn't reach things. You could always cut those by hand with shears if it's just a very small area.

[Money Badger]

The corded route seems cheap initially, but time is more valuable than anything.   Walking back around obstacles in the yard, lugging cords and generally lower power of the electric units eats up precious weekend time.   And a quality gas tool will last longer than the corded models in my experience (and FAR longer than the battery powered junk as others noted)

My Stihl gas trimmer is 22 years old and runs perfectly.   Cost around $300 new for the first "commercial landscapers" model in their lineup.   One visit to the shop about 4 years ago cost me $90 to replace the equivalent of the carburetor and fuel/air filters.    That's it!   That's about $18 a year average (plus gas) and falling each year.    And it edges over an acre of driveway, sidewalk, beds, retaining walls and walking paths in <30 minutes.    Buy the simpler models with the upgraded engines and commercial grade switch gear that works with gloves on.   Always think about the weight of the tool and avoid highest end, heavy models if you can (that seem cool in the store but wear you out faster in the real world).   The "modular" power head line is particularly heavy IMO...   Pay for the Stihl 2-stroke mix (buy the cheaper per ounce bulk size and just use a measuring cup to add to the gas).   All my Stihl products (weed wacker/stick edger/hedge trimmer/chain saw) always start and all but one are over 10 years old ranging up to 22 years...   I expect to pass them to my kids).   That's really Mustachian!   

[Frugal Lizard]

None of the above:  I have designed my garden so that I don't need to trim.  Have had lawns for various configurations for 18 years without every needing a trimmer.  Currently I have to edge the lawn in the spring because the turf is spready and I don't have a physical barrier.  I do this with an edging shovel.    Parts are edged with mulch so I just run the mower along the mulch, part has a paved edge.  Looks neat and tidy with minimal effort and very little carbon footprint.  Once my kids permit me - I probably wont have a lawn.  I would rather devote all my energy to gardening work that yields food for people or other creatures I share the ecosystem with.  Lawn is really good for playing on but shouldn't be a default landscape treatment.

[zephyr911]

None of the above:  I have designed my garden so that I don't need to trim.  Have had lawns for various configurations for 18 years without every needing a trimmer.  Currently I have to edge the lawn in the spring because the turf is spready and I don't have a physical barrier.  I do this with an edging shovel.    Parts are edged with mulch so I just run the mower along the mulch, part has a paved edge.  Looks neat and tidy with minimal effort and very little carbon footprint.  Once my kids permit me - I probably wont have a lawn.  I would rather devote all my energy to gardening work that yields food for people or other creatures I share the ecosystem with.  Lawn is really good for playing on but shouldn't be a default landscape treatment.

YES THIS.
I'm about to start planting the edges of my lawn to reduce trimming needs. I'm also planning to add more beds and gradually reduce the grass area. Lawns are nice-looking but inefficient and high-maintenance.

[Choices]

Ours is corded and we like it, but the tipping point for us was not wanting to have gas stored around the house. We have a push-mower for this reason as well, as it avoids the hassle and the danger associated with having a gas can in the garage.

[FrugalKube]

I'd say go with the corded electric. I have a Black & Decker, no frills think I got it at Home Depot for under $50 on sale. Had to replace the string but it has lasted 7+ years been used 2-3 times a month 6 months a year

[bobechs]

I can't believe...

No, I can.  This is the place where any wacky spend on houses, cats or children will summon a vigorous defense for buying the very best, damn the cost. Re-defined as frugality, of course.

On the other hand:

[zephyr911]

FTR, I have the 80V Greenworks mower, weedeater and chainsaw. I do not re-define this as frugality. I call it high-quality, fast, powerful efficient, and surprisingly quiet tools, at a reasonable price.

It's easier to stay caught up around the yard when I have good gear, which keeps DW from calling a lawn service. And even if I'm out of town or just can't find the time, she will actually mow herself, because we have this gear. So, the stuff does slowly pay for itself.

I also have an old-school reel mower and I enjoy using it, for appropriate situations. I run with it sometimes.

[mtn]

I can't believe...

No, I can.  This is the place where any wacky spend on houses, cats or children will summon a vigorous defense for buying the very best, damn the cost. Re-defined as frugality, of course.

On the other hand:

My time is worth more--unless those things have improved since the 1990's. And I don't think they have, since the one that I used circa 1996 was about as effective as the one that was 40 years or so older than that one.

[KarefulKactus15]

Ill chime in, this was recently discussed in another forum.

I have an electric Black and decker weed eater.  Never had any problems.  I went with the corded model.  I tell everyone I regret this choice.

I thought I wouldnt mind un rolling a 100 foot cord and dragging it around,   but after owning the device for 3 years, I would have gladly payed 100$ more for the battery model.  I hear nothing buy good things about them. 


So my recommendation is for ELECTRIC  BATTERY operated trimmer.   

[FerrumB5]

Ill chime in, this was recently discussed in another forum.

I have an electric Black and decker weed eater.  Never had any problems.  I went with the corded model.  I tell everyone I regret this choice.

I thought I wouldnt mind un rolling a 100 foot cord and dragging it around,   but after owning the device for 3 years, I would have gladly payed 100$ more for the battery model.  I hear nothing buy good things about them. 


So my recommendation is for ELECTRIC  BATTERY operated trimmer.

Do you have 20V or 40V model?

[sisto]

I agree with Midwest. I use the Ryobi 18V model. I too have a ton of Ryobi tools and I love the fact that I can use the same batteries.

[KarefulKactus15]

Ill chime in, this was recently discussed in another forum.

I have an electric Black and decker weed eater.  Never had any problems.  I went with the corded model.  I tell everyone I regret this choice.

I thought I wouldnt mind un rolling a 100 foot cord and dragging it around,   but after owning the device for 3 years, I would have gladly payed 100$ more for the battery model.  I hear nothing buy good things about them. 


So my recommendation is for ELECTRIC  BATTERY operated trimmer.

Do you have 20V or 40V model?

I have neither!  I cant bring myself to buy a battery one untill my corded one dies!   But from an initial investment, I think Id want the 40v model if I could go back in time.

[FerrumB5]

Torn... I have 20V B&D drill, so if I go with 20V I'll have an extra battery pack. But 40V is a lot better than 20V, especially if I plan to invest into a leaf blower by B&D. Price wise is like $45 more for 40V trimmer than 20V, not too significant

[neo von retorch]

FerrumB5 Right now, the 40V trimmer is $119 on Amazon (there's a hidden $10 B&D Father's Day coupon), and if you opt for the combo that includes the blower, it's only $20 more... that being said, that only leaves you with one battery. (I still snagged the combo because I already have a compatible 36V battery for my trimmer.)

[FerrumB5]

FerrumB5 Right now, the 40V trimmer is $119 on Amazon (there's a hidden $10 B&D Father's Day coupon), and if you opt for the combo that includes the blower, it's only $20 more... that being said, that only leaves you with one battery. (I still snagged the combo because I already have a compatible 36V battery for my trimmer.)

neogodless, have a link for the combo handy (and a coupon)? Thanks!

[neo von retorch]

Shoot - so I ordered this yesterday. Looks like it's OOS from Amazon, so the deal isn't in place now. The coupon was automatically added.
http://www.amazon.com/BLACK-DECKER-LCC140-40-volt-Trimmer/dp/B00JGUAP8W/ref=zg_bs_553954_4

[FIRE me]

Subject says it all. What would you buy? The lot is 0.25 acre, half is the house. Usage - weekly or even less frequent. Need it to last 10+ years. Not expensive as well (after all, we are Mustachians). May be with memorial day or even fathers day discounts I can follow one of your advices. Post your brands/models too. GO!

I vote for gas, but that choice won't fit everybody.

Why gas works better for me (your mileage may vary):

1. I'm very familiar with two stroke engines. I know how to prime, start, use the choke correctly, and not foul the spark plug. I replace the air filter once per season.

2. I don't mind mixing gas and oil. I use an empty 32 ounce rubbing alcohol container for mixing 16 ounces of premix. The rubbing alcohol containers stand up well to the gasoline. I have oral syringes to accurately measure the small amount of oil required. I add Sta-Bil, which does wonders for fuel storage life and ease of starting. I also use Premium gas only in all my small engines.

3. I don't like messing with long electric cords, it's too inconvenient.

4. Battery operated ones would eliminate the cords, but battery replacement is expensive. I think a well maintained gas engine is cheaper in the long run and will outlast any battery.

5. I'm handy and can repair the gas engine if needed. Unless you buy Stihl (otherwise a great brand, but they tightly control their distribution chain), parts are cheap and readily available on line. Stuff like priming bulbs, fuel lines, even carburetor rebuilds and replacements, piston and rings are cheap to buy and relatively little trouble to install.

The model I own is a bottom of the line Murray M2500 bought two years ago at Wal-Mart for $69 (it is $68 today on their website). I have .33 acre, but I mostly use liquid edging (generic round up). I use the Murray on the few places that brown grass and bare dirt would be too unaesthetic.

The worst thing about the  Murray M2500 is that it is too short to comfortably use. I'm male, but below average height. If you're above 5'8" don't even consider the Murray.

All in all the Murray has been adequate, but at times I wish I had spend a little more and got an Echo.

Checking Consumer Reports, they rate the Stihl FS 38 as a best buy at $130, also rating the Ryobi RY252CS as a best buy at $100.

If you plan to use it weekly, I'd skip the Murray and go with the Ryobi.

[AlwaysLearningToSave]

. . .
3. I don't like messing with long electric cords, it's too inconvenient.
. . .

I genuinely don't understand why people feel this is *too* inconvenient for a 1/3 acre or smaller lot.  Its not heavy.  If you wind the cord correctly, knots are not an issue.  The only difference is that it necessitates trimming the lawn in a different pattern than you might otherwise use if you had a cordless trimmer.   

For example:  I start trimming the perimeter of my lawn and go until an obstacle prevents me from going further and I need to walk around the obstacle to free the cord.  But I don't just walk around the obstacle-- that would be inefficient.  Instead, I use the opportunity to trim around the obstacle.  After trimming around the obstacle, I magically find myself on the other side of the obstacle, ready to resume the perimeter trimming.  I repeat this pattern any time an obstacle impedes the cord.  I would have trimmed around the obstacles anyway, so I've hardly added any extra time or steps compared to using a cordless tool.  I suppose an elaborately landscaped lawn could become too tedious, but no lawn I have ever mowed has fit that bill (and I've mowed a good number of lawns).

That said, I concede that I have only ever used a corded electric trimmer because I'm still using the same corded electric trimmer I used in my teenage lawn mowing jobs starting around 14 years ago.  I have never known the ecstasy of trimming the entire perimeter of my lawn before trimming any of the interior would-be obstacles.  Perhaps the high is worth it. 

[robartsd]

I genuinely don't understand why people feel this is *too* inconvenient for a 1/3 acre or smaller lot.  Its not heavy.  If you wind the cord correctly, knots are not an issue.  The only difference is that it necessitates trimming the lawn in a different pattern than you might otherwise use if you had a cordless trimmer.   

I think it depends a lot on how much you have to manage the cord vs. just draging it behind you. If obstacles are too rough or sharp to pull the cord past it is much less convienent.

[FIRE me]

. . .
3. I don't like messing with long electric cords, it's too inconvenient.
. . .

I genuinely don't understand why people feel this is *too* inconvenient for a 1/3 acre or smaller lot.  Its not heavy.  If you wind the cord correctly, knots are not an issue.  The only difference is that it necessitates trimming the lawn in a different pattern than you might otherwise use if you had a cordless trimmer.   

For example:  I start trimming the perimeter of my lawn and go until an obstacle prevents me from going further and I need to walk around the obstacle to free the cord.  But I don't just walk around the obstacle-- that would be inefficient.  Instead, I use the opportunity to trim around the obstacle.  After trimming around the obstacle, I magically find myself on the other side of the obstacle, ready to resume the perimeter trimming.  I repeat this pattern any time an obstacle impedes the cord.  I would have trimmed around the obstacles anyway, so I've hardly added any extra time or steps compared to using a cordless tool.  I suppose an elaborately landscaped lawn could become too tedious, but no lawn I have ever mowed has fit that bill (and I've mowed a good number of lawns).

That said, I concede that I have only ever used a corded electric trimmer because I'm still using the same corded electric trimmer I used in my teenage lawn mowing jobs starting around 14 years ago.  I have never known the ecstasy of trimming the entire perimeter of my lawn before trimming any of the interior would-be obstacles.  Perhaps the high is worth it.

There are indeed substantial advantages to corded.

My favorite one is that electric starts first time, every time.   :-)    Assuming you remembered to plug it in.  Which on occasion I have failed to do. Doh!   :-)

Corded electric usually costs a lot less.

Corded is lower maintenance than a gas engine, but unlike battery powered electric it should also last as long as gas.

With electric, there is no fuel to keep on hand, no fuel mixing and filling. Electric requires less skill to operate, as two stroke engines can be temperamental, especially so in inexperienced hands.

But as for convenience of actual use, in my experience there is no comparison. Until you don't have to unreel the cord, drag it around, take care not to damage it, and then reel it back up and put it away, you don't realize how great it is to be free of that.

I have a corded hedge trimmer that I replaced with gas, and I have a corded chain saw that I would like to replace with gas, but due to very infrequent use I am not able to justify doing so.

[ender]

I genuinely don't understand why people feel this is *too* inconvenient for a 1/3 acre or smaller lot.  Its not heavy. If you wind the cord correctly, knots are not an issue.  The only difference is that it necessitates trimming the lawn in a different pattern than you might otherwise use if you had a cordless trimmer.   

I was in my mid-20s before I realized how incredibly easy it is to wrap things (hoses, cords, etc) in ways to avoid a tangled mess.

The "Over-under" method in the below link is what I learned doing stage lighting and I cannot believe it took me until my mid-20s. It works for everything to nearly entirely avoid knots. If you are a perpetual "I wrap things poorly" person it will be difficult to do as your electrical cords will want to revert to the way they've always been wrapped.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-wrap-an-extension-cord-like-a-boss-222822

You can lay extension cords out on a driveway on a warm day if you are having problems wrapping them and let them heat up and they get much more pliable.

[AlwaysLearningToSave]

I genuinely don't understand why people feel this is *too* inconvenient for a 1/3 acre or smaller lot.  Its not heavy. If you wind the cord correctly, knots are not an issue.  The only difference is that it necessitates trimming the lawn in a different pattern than you might otherwise use if you had a cordless trimmer.   

I was in my mid-20s before I realized how incredibly easy it is to wrap things (hoses, cords, etc) in ways to avoid a tangled mess.

The "Over-under" method in the below link is what I learned doing stage lighting and I cannot believe it took me until my mid-20s. It works for everything to nearly entirely avoid knots. If you are a perpetual "I wrap things poorly" person it will be difficult to do as your electrical cords will want to revert to the way they've always been wrapped.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-wrap-an-extension-cord-like-a-boss-222822

You can lay extension cords out on a driveway on a warm day if you are having problems wrapping them and let them heat up and they get much more pliable.

Maybe that's the difference. I learned how to deal with rope in Boy Scouts. People talk about managing the cord as if it is a big inconvenience and I've never understood it. Sailors and mountaineers have known how to deal with ropes for ages. if you learn some of their wisdom, it is not hard to deal with a cord.

[FIRE me]

I genuinely don't understand why people feel this is *too* inconvenient for a 1/3 acre or smaller lot.  Its not heavy. If you wind the cord correctly, knots are not an issue.  The only difference is that it necessitates trimming the lawn in a different pattern than you might otherwise use if you had a cordless trimmer.   

I was in my mid-20s before I realized how incredibly easy it is to wrap things (hoses, cords, etc) in ways to avoid a tangled mess.

The "Over-under" method in the below link is what I learned doing stage lighting and I cannot believe it took me until my mid-20s. It works for everything to nearly entirely avoid knots. If you are a perpetual "I wrap things poorly" person it will be difficult to do as your electrical cords will want to revert to the way they've always been wrapped.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-wrap-an-extension-cord-like-a-boss-222822

You can lay extension cords out on a driveway on a warm day if you are having problems wrapping them and let them heat up and they get much more pliable.

I'm a total physical klutz who can't neatly coil cords or hoses.

I've owned a few of these for a long time and they work great and hold up great.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-150-ft-16-3-Cord-Storage-Reel-HD-130PDQ/205038360

At $8 each, except for your free method, they are hard to beat.

[KarefulKactus15]

FerrumB5 Right now, the 40V trimmer is $119 on Amazon (there's a hidden $10 B&D Father's Day coupon), and if you opt for the combo that includes the blower, it's only $20 more... that being said, that only leaves you with one battery. (I still snagged the combo because I already have a compatible 36V battery for my trimmer.)

Man, IMO that would have been a real deal at that price.     Again hindsight, I wish I would have opted for cordless.   

[neo von retorch]

The trimmer is still $129 - https://www.amazon.com/BLACK-DECKER-LST136W-Lithium-Trimmer/dp/B00I2F51SG/ref=sr_1_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1465568839&sr=1-1&keywords=lst136 I don't see the B&D coupon myself, but that's likely because I already "used it." I'd run through to checkout and see if it pops up.

[FerrumB5]

Looking at reviews for this 420 model, a lot of people are not happy with battery and auto-feed. They go thru 1 spool in one sitting. I'd rather go with bump-feed I think

[neo von retorch]

Interesting. My old HomeLite(?) corded had a "no bump" system, and my first spool lasted about 6 years (to be fair, light use on 0.20 acres.) I kind of expected the same here. Time will tell!

(Also the HomeLite spool replacements were dirt cheap, like 3 for $5?)

[FerrumB5]

Interesting. My old HomeLite(?) corded had a "no bump" system, and my first spool lasted about 6 years (to be fair, light use on 0.20 acres.) I kind of expected the same here. Time will tell!

(Also the HomeLite spool replacements were dirt cheap, like 3 for $5?)

Please post an update when you receive it and try in the "field"

[gggggg]

Gas all the way. Every electric trimmer I've had (yes even a very recent one) has sucked badly compared to gas trimmers. No comparison at all.