So I was skeptical (as most are) that this would not have the power and/or battery life to meet my expectations, but to try to eliminate the need to mix gas/oil etc, I decided to give it a shot. I also wanted something that my wife could easily use - light weight and no pull start.I have only used this once, but here are a few of my observations that will hopefully help you make a decision as to whether this is something you want to purchase or not.1. Battery Life - the trimmer has 6 different power levels, so you control how long the battery lasts. I used level 4, and didn't really need to bump it up any higher. I was able to groom all of the landscaping around our house on one battery using level 4. The battery was pretty much drained after that, and it took me around 30 minutes. I did buy and extra battery for $50, which I always have ready in case the battery loses its charge, or I simply need more power.I feel like no matter how long the battery lasts, it isn't going to be good enough for some people. The way I see it, you need to look at the job you are trying to accomplish. If you can get it done in 30-45 minutes, then this trimmer (with two batteries) is going to be sufficient for the job. If you are looking at 0.50 acre+ jobs, that might take an hour or more to complete, then you are probably going to be disappointed, because the batteries might not make it the entire job. Make sure you evaluate your situation before making the investment.2. Power - the power is extremely good for a battery powered trimmer/edger. I was able to cut through some thick grass/weeds around a fence line without even increasing the power to level 6. I could see if you are living in a rural area, you may choose a gas powered trimmer, as you are probably going to be dealing with a larger area and thicker, more rigid vegetation.3. Lightweight - this is very lightweight. My wife is able to use it without complaining that it hurts her hands or back. It does have a lot of plastic on it, so if you are going to be throwing it in and out of a truck, it most likely will have broken parts. This wasn't made for heavy duty, commercial use.4. Line Feed - B&D has a very nice auto-feed spool/line system. The line automatically feeds itself out as more line is needed. This is extremely nice, because you don't have to contantly be pulling on the line to feed more through as you bump up against fences, landscaping rocks, etc.5. Value - this is where you have to make your decision. At $40-$70 per battery, you are commiting to around $200 for this trimmer and two Li-Ion batteries. Most gas powered trimmers run around $80-$100, and you are going to get more power out of them. You could argue that for this alone, this is not worth the money. Assuming the batteries are good quality, I am hoping to make up for it in the long run.I have only used this once, but with the two batteries, I don't see myself having any problems. As I said, the trimmer has PLENTY of power for an urban/suburban setting. I actually shaved a few spots on power level 4, because I got too close.5 Stars for the kind of lawn I have. Plenty of power, sufficient battery life & lightweight.