Really not sure

Good Evening,
I'm am putting my Ryobi 790r string trimmer back together then thought the reason I have not had it out for over a year & a half is the thing is a pain to start. I hate 2 stroke engines the mess the noise hard to start.
So I started reading about cordless trimmers I never have had anything that has run off a battery so this is new to me.
One I did read a lot about is & it got high marks is the American Gardener YS24 yardstick it has a 24 volt battery & doubles as a edger.
I guess my question is before I put to much into the ryobi I'm thinking of buying this could anyone tell me if the rechargeables work & if so is this a good make?. Before I finish I'm not a big yard fan meaning I really don't care if my lawn looks like a golf course most of the time it looks like the ruff!.
Also I read about the 4 stroke engines but there big money don't know if there worth it?
Thank you!
Will,

 

I don't know about the low end 4 strokes,, but I bought a 4 stroke honda when they 1st came out.. Yeah $400.00 CDn, but in 10 or 12 years I haven't even changed the plug & starts 1 or 2 pulls every time...(& it'll even idle).. We had the Stihl Mix 4 @ the city when I worked there as a Mechanic & they ran 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 8 months of the year... The latest ones were 5 years old (some older) & mostly change trimmer heads & fuel filters,, No other troubles with them,,I believe in the long run, you get what you pay for & in the long haul the high end trimmer will pay for itself several times over...Sorry no advice on the cordless ones tho... but make sure the starter is @ the REAR of any gas trimmer you buy,, NOT between the boom & engine... Roger

 

Good Morning Roger,
Yes I read a lot about the Honda's & I too believe you get what you pay for I'm just not sure I want to go $400. for a weed trimmer. As far as I'm concerned this Ryobi I have is a piece of junk I have had it since 2000 & the thing never ran right that is when I could get her to run just never liked 2 cycle engines this is why I'm not even sure I want to put money into her. I'm just trying to get some names that people have had good luck with.
I guess I just wanted to look into the cordless for the amount of time I will be using it, it just does not make sence to pay $400. for one all I do know is I'm staying away from the 2cycles!.
Thank you for your help!
Will,

 

I just fired up my 12 yr old 790R yesterday. I only use it any more once a year with a cultivator attachment to turn over some raised beds we have. Fired on the second pull although warming up and getting it to go took a bit more coaxing, she did come around.
Ryobi is considered a low end consumer model and likely are not expected to last more than 3-5 yrs. With a bit more attention and perhaps maintenance, they can last longer.

I don't do much light trimming or edging so have no need for a light string trimmer. If I had a average sized house on an average sized lot, I would certainly look into the electrics. If your just going to be trimming around trees, buildings, walks...etc. I think they are up to the challenge. If you can get all of your trimming done in an hour or two, I think batteries have come far enough to provide for that.
If you use it to clear weeds that you cant get to until May, or large areas where you cant get to with a mower, you may find the electric inadequate. Certainly don't expect it to have the power of your Ryobi gas trimmer.
I have only seen a few of the consumer grade 4 strokes but the ones I have only needed minor or routine maintenance, started easily and had plenty of torque. All were fairly new too so I am not sure about endurance.

 

I'll relate my experience with a battery powered string trimmer. I bought a Toro one about 25 years ago. Old 6 vilt NiCad battery that took 48 hours to recharge and gave 45 minutes operating time. It would last long enough to go around the house and up and down both sides of the driveway. Lasted about 5 years. With now battery technology, I would surely think today's machines are MUCH better in operating time and recharging time. They will never reach the capabilities of gas powered machines, like chopping down all the brush on a steep slope, but for trimming around a dozen trees, buzzing around the house and up and down the drive, should be ok. Currently I use an electric trimmer with an extension cord. Also works ok on a lot where every thing can be reached with the cord.

 

Hey Will,
I don't know if you bought anything yet, but I've been hearing good things about the Worx brand battery string trimmers.

 

And that is it ?
I'm using an old 100 foot cord unit ( Black and Decker), this works OK for an old cheapie. Its good for a smaller property.
The Snapper gasoline from Walmart is a POS, hard to start, out of balance, heavy, noisy,3 years old , I may just throw it away, its that bad..
Despite the loooooong cord, the electric is much the better.
I'd like to hear about the Worx from a user, I do not trust advertising, but who does ?