i needed to trim off some branches that were high enough to need a pole saw and thick enough to make the mere thought of using the manual pole saw make my arms tired; enter the electric pole saw, which in this particular case comes with a hedge trimmer, too; cool. it is corded, not battery-operated, which would be annoying if I had many cuts to make, but I didn't, and I wasn't ready to spend the time researching which manufacturer's battery ecosystem is best. so, corded it is.

the good: the chain-saw is fairly easy to use, even for a novice; not too heavy at all, even at the end of the pole (thanks to the handy over-the-shoulder strap), looks fairly easy to maintain, and because of its 10" bar will cut through thicker branches and trees than the 8" (though the 8" saws are lighter). switching from pole-saw mode to saw mode is so easy that anyone with opposable thumbs should be able to do it and was really the main selling point for me -- once i cut the branches down, i didn't want to have to cut them into manageable chunks from 8 feet away, I wanted to be able to take the saw off the pole.

the things i wish someone had told me before i bought it:

1. the pole is 6 feet long; they advertise the pole-saw's maximum extension as 8 feet, but this must be a measurement from tip of the saw to the back end of the trigger end, which makes it technically true (and explains how the hedge trimmer can be longer at 8.8 feet), but not really. if you are expecting to cut things 8 feet away from your extended arms, you won't be able to, not without standing on something (which, if you think about it, is not the safest thing in the world to do). not a deal-breaker, but something i wish i had known ahead of time as I ended up needing a ladder for a couple of branches, which was not ideal, and for this i take off a star.

2. you can use regular 30-weight motor oil instead of bar and chain oil (this is straight from the manual). It's not that bar and chain oil is expensive (it's not; it costs less than most motor oils when you buy it at your favorite store where they wear orange aprons), it's just that i don't need a quart of it, since the saw only takes a couple ounces of it and now that i'll use it so infrequently, the remainder of that quart will easily outlast not just the saw's usable life, but mine, as well.

if i find any shrubs to trim, i'll update this review with thoughts on the shrub trimmer.

It is very easy to transition from chain saw to trimmer to chain saw on a pole. It made trimming my orange tree and the subsequent clean up very easy. A great time saver.

Finally had a chance to use this and I had a blast! I used both hedge trimmer and chain saw. The first thing that happened was the saw wouldn't work. Then I noticed the safety brake was tripped. Then the chain kept popping off. I'm used to using a chain saw and didn't tighten the chain enough. You have to go tighter than I thought in order for it not to loosen up on its own. Once past those issue it really cuts well. I don't know if my old hedge trimmer is really dull but this hedge trimmer cuts like a light saber. I actually was having fun. Luckily my wife was cleaning up behind me because I made a huge mess.

Love this combo.

Very good tool it has lots of power , the pole is not that long but it did the job, very sharp cuts very good.

I needed a light duty pole chain saw for around the yard and found this set. The addition of the hedge trimmer is welcome for trimming large bushes. Both tools are well made with sharp blades and have been working great. I have no complaints!