AHS 60-16

This is a great time saving tool for any one with hedges and bushes. It cuts through ours like butter. When you do hit a thicker branch that its not too keen to cut in one go, I tend to just keep going at it in waves and it eventually cuts it. I'm actually very impressed at how strong this is for the price we paid for it. We tried the battery version of this and it ran out far too quickly for what was needed. I'd rather be sitting in my garden, rather than waiting around for batteries to charge and having to do it by hand whilst I wait. With this you don't need to worry about charging times, just make sure you've got an extension lead (the attached lead is not very long) and you're all set! The benefit, is that if it does struggle it has all the power it needs on tap, to tackle any hurdles.The blade includes a fiddly cover that I guess protects it or rather you from it. I'll be honest, I'm probably going to throw it away, its a bit of a hassle trying to put it back on and mine will be staying in the shed when not in use and there a far sharper objects in there than this, so it's a bit silly in my view. The blade it self is a perfect length, just long enough to be able to cut horizontally and vertically in just a few strides. For me, theres no need for a step ladder or squeezing myself onto the other side of the hedge, as this is the perfect length.I have found that holding it up after a while, it does tend to feel quite heavy but I would think most things would, if you held it above shoulder height for long. For under £40 this is a true bargain and I would not hesitate to recommend it to friends and family (although, they'll likely just borrow mine now). Even at the full RRP this is still a good purchase.Edit: Having cut through the cable, it would be nice if the cable were replaceable. I have fixed and all is well, but on reflection it would be nice to be able to replace the cable should I cut it more often. What I may do, is just replace the cable myself, but it would have been a nice feature to have. Still a 5 Star and excellent value cutter.

This choice was as replacement for my heavy duty Bosch AHS480-24T, weighing in at 4.1kg, which had failed after 12 years heavy use. I was tempted to. go for the AHS60-26 at £129-99 & weighing in at 3.6kg, but chose the lightweight above at 2.7kg. The reasoning is that we have some 200m of large hedging - hawthorn, beech & privet; but at age 83, I find in increasingly hard to handle the heavier cutters. The decision was influenced by another correspondent who sagely pointed out that the cutter cost equals a single visit from a professional gardener. We have such a proven service, better than I can cut, but my reasoning was that if I can continue for 2 or 3 more years before I give up it is a healthier option! So how is the AHS50-16 ? A slightly longer blade, much lighter @ 2.7kg; a wickedly sharp set of cutters; an integral cable -i.e. not detachable. (I still need a long extension lead to access the remotest corners of the hedging). The 'test run' was on a 2m spherical holly bush, covered in soft new growth. Very easy. The next test will be whether I can maintain sufficient finger pressure to use the cutter as a milling machine when cutting the long straight hedge tops. Hence 4 stars for a start.Addendum: Have now (end September) cut all hedging ready for the Winter. Partly due to the extraordinary dry Summer, the hedge growth was not as rampant as in previous years. The cutter has done the job well, although unlike it's powerful heavy predecessor, it struggles somewhat with thicker stems. Nevertheless, it has proved the point, so I think it deserves the fifth star.

I found the cutter 50-16 is fine does what it says and is light to use (I'm getting on a bit).However the former heavier and robust model AHS 480 I had developed a motor fault (commutator lost segments) bear in mind, purchased in 2004 and has had considerable use by myself and family members so not so bad although annoying it broke down half way through the job.The difference in use is the 480 well balanced, although heavier, was easier and more comfortable to use on vertical plane from low cut up to and above shoulder level as not only the forward switch but had interlinked side switches whereas the 50-16 only has the forward switch and makes for un-comfortable vertical plane cutting. I suppose I will get used to it.A useful machine, the blade guard easy to get off less than easy to get back on so found the old machine guard fits it, So the down sides are minor, lack of side switches and naff guard.Hopefully I can recover the blades from the old machine for the new one if they fit I've yet to find out. The old guard fits the new machine so that's a bonus.

Hedgecutter exactly as advertised - and my hedge is now nice and back under some form of manageable control! :) - 9/10.Description on the website, as is the case with all Bosch equipment, stunningly accurate - 8/10Works well for trimming hedges, is nice and light and easy to operate, even on higher hedges (above head height) - 9/10.Even cuts through (with some patience and careful manoeuvring), tough branches which are a little thicker than the advertised cutting capacity - 8/10Easy to set up, easy to use - no complaints about the hedge cutter at all - 9/10Value for money - 9/10(One minor gripe did exist on the side of fulfilment and delivery, but that is a problem that was strictly down to the courier in question, and has been dealt with directly with Amazon and a visit by me to the courier company. Rating of the courier company - 0/10, but as I have stated, this was dealt with separately. This review is purely about the hedge cutter itself).