Stihl HSA 65
- Powerful
- Lithium ion battery
- Quiet
- No fumes or pollution
- No cord
- Relatively heavy
- Battery and charger cost extra
The commercial-grade cordless Stihl HSA 65 hedge trimmer is one of a new line of 36 Volt Stihl outdoor power tools that use interchangeable lithium ion batteries. Lithium ion batteries do not gradually lose power while you're working, and don't self-discharge during storage.
Reviewers say the Stihl HSA 65 hedge trimmer is as powerful as a gas hedge trimmer, but it's expensive, and the battery and charger must be purchased separately. Two models of each are available, ranging in price from *Est. $150 to $260 for the battery, *Est. $50 to $90 for the charger. If you want a cordless hedge trimmer but want to pay substantially less for it, the Black & Decker NHT518 (*Est. $80) is recommended by expert reviewers.
We found two expert reviews of the Stihl HSA 65 hedge trimmer in Popular Mechanics magazine, including one in which it's pitted against a gas hedge trimmer in a comparison test. ThisOldHouse.com also writes about this relatively new cordless hedge trimmer.
Our Sources
1. This Old House
Blogger Sal Vaglica writes about the Stihl HSA 65 cordless hedge trimmer, powered by a lithium ion battery. After using it for a while, he writes that it "performed as well as I would expect a great gas-powered trimmer to perform." He says it is also as heavy as a gas hedge trimmer.
Review: A Premium Cordless Outdoor Power Tool, Sal Vaglica, Aug. 11, 2010
2. PopularMechanics.com
This brief description of the Stihl HSA 65 hedge trimmer is part of an article about the products Popular Mechanics editors chose as the Top Products of 2010. The editors say this hedge trimmer has plenty of power, and the battery lasts long enough to trim and shape up the shrubbery in a good-sized yard.
Review: Stihl HSA 65 Cordless Hedge Trimmer: The Top Products of 2010, Editors of Popular Mechanics, Sept. 28, 2010
3. PopularMechanics.com
For the test this article reports on, two professional golf course groomers pitted a gas tool against an electric one and compared their performance in accomplishing the same task. To test hedge trimmers one uses the Stihl HSA 65, the other a Husqvarna gas-powered model. Both pros say the Stihl cordless hedge trimmer is as powerful as the gas trimmer, and they also like the fact that you don't have to breathe in exhaust fumes at close range while you're using it.
Review: Backyard Battle: Gas vs. Electric Lawn Tools, Evan Rothman
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