Flymo XLT3000 Multitool Brushcutter / Strimmer 32cc

The idea is that you buy the strimmer for about £130 then if you want for between £40 and £70 each you can buy attachments to add to the end of the split-shaft strimmer.

What I bought: I bought the strimmer, and hedge trimmer attachment.

What I thought of the strimmer: The strimmer worked fine, and it attached together ok, but the shaft is a stright shaft (rather than the kind with a bend at the end) and this makes strimming more awkward,

What I thought of the hedge trimmer: Fair enough this was the first time I'd actually used a hedge trimmer, but as soon as I started the 3 metre hedge, I thought "I am glad this hedge is no bigger" because it was so heavy and awkward to use. When I saw the pics on the internet, I thought it would be perfect because (a) its cheaper than buying a seperate machine, (b) its longer, so more can be done without ladders, (c) it can be tilted to an angle, so I will can do the tops of hedges without ladders.

Unfortunately I was wrong, (a) it's too bulky for prolonged comfortable use, (b) it's too long to make it easy make a good job (feels like combing your hair with something attached to a tennis racket), (c) when I tried to do the top of the hedge, the only angle it would allow was back towards my head! Although I do think this may have been a defect in the particular one I bought.

What I will be doing now, is buying a standard curved shaft strimmer, and a standard hedge trimmer.

Plus side: Maybe just maybe there might be a few people who this system is an advantage to. The branch lopper looked like it might be quite handy, when height is essential. Some people might not think that a straight shaft on a strimmer is a bad thing. Maybe the cultivator works well, I don't know.

Bottom line: Try before you buy, especially before buying over the internet, because this sort of bulky stuff is a real hassle, and expense (£16 it cost me) to send back.