Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

i use this as a vacuum only -- i despise leaf blowers -- so if you need a review of it as a blower, look elsewhere. i got this one after carefully reviewing all available leaf-vacuum-capable models, and determining that reviewers using them as vacuums preferred this one, mostly due to durability of the collection bag system. it has proven to be one of the best garden tools i have ever bought, truly revolutionizing my yard management, and improving my gardens markedly. i have had it for 2.5 months, and used it for 20-30 hours in that time, and it still runs perfectly. i have subjected it to a great deal of abuse, including vacuuming up mud and sodden leaves, and it will even do that to a better degree than anyone should reasonably expect (although you'll want a long-bladed screwdriver handy and get very familiar with popping it open if you do that). it will also suck up most small twigs and branches, although if they are limber and just the right size, they will cause clogs. miraculously, it will suck up heavily matted leaves over the top of gravel beds, of which i have several, without grabbing the stones! this is a wonderful thing. i use it on the lower setting 95% of the time, only using the high setting when it starts to clog (usually clears the clog quickly). the metal fan is a must; my yard abounds in oak leaves and acorns, and a plastic one would be demolished by those and by the occasional small stone it does pick up. there is one very tiny nick in one of the fan blades on mine at this point, and i project at this rate of wear that i will get many years out of this inexpensive wonder.