Heavy metal music blasting from my conservatory/utility room that backs onto the garden, clad in my dark gothic tshirt and shades, whipping my hair back and forth (but Metallica style, not Justin Bieber style!) .. ROARRRRRRING to ' ANYWHERE I ROAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM' ... armed with my chainsaw (ok, hedge trimmer..... but I can dream).... and quite literally, yes, anywhere I can roam with my groovy looking cordless hedge trimmer.

According to hubby, I'm lethal with it and I guess the fact the fir trees are sporting a pretty dodgy fir style at the moment is testament to that. At least the privet hedge isn't looking quite as bad.

**Cordless or Cord?**

I definately wanted the cordless. I paid £24 for my Challenge in the sale from Amazon. Electrical equipment and the thought of getting myself tangled up in wires, falling over and chopping off something I shouldnt' have didn't appeal to me. In hindsight thought, having a cordless would have its positives!

The cordless option only lasts about half an hour and due to the rechargeable battery pack being quite heavy, it's tough going on the arms for a great length of time. Then again, I seem to get everything done that I need to do within the half hour of charge, but if had a larger garden would probably go for the cord option.

**Features/How to use**

Before using, you will need to charge it for about 7 hours. This provides about 20-30 mins of power before it starts to cut out. I find its enough time really to get my medium privet hedge trimmed and a few zaps here and there of annoying growths.

Safety switch mechanism
18V battery
20-30 mins running time
3-5 hours charge time
Dual blades
41cm Length blade

**What can I use the hedge trimmer for?**

Ultimately - hedges of course. I only have the one and as mentioned, its a medium sized privet hedge. the challenge slices through beautifully. I've also used it on my fir trees to lop the tops off and trim them but be careful as it can be quite fun and you can get carried away!

I have a sycamore tree that keeps getting strangled by the most persistant nightmare thorn bush ever so I tend to zap that every now and then and I zap the tops off over grown shrubs etc.

The blade is long so its easy to chop high hedges and branches (as long as they aren't tooo thick). I tried to go through thicker branches on my sycamore and it cut out. Oops!

**Be aware of**

It's exhausting! Be careful if you have any neck or shoulder injuries. I have an old whiplash injury and it tends to play up if i've been out zapping!

I wouldn't use this with children running around or anything!

It's noisy - perhaps wear ear plugs!

It vibrates so keep a firm grip!

**Overall**

Great for the jobs I needed it for!