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Black and Deck Alligator Loppers Electric Chain Saw
This is a hard product to review because it's hard to choose a product to compare it to. Should it be compared to a chain saw or loppers? It really is more like a chain saw, but the connection to loppers is obvious. And the fact that it's corded makes it difficult to compare it to gas-powered chain saws. For some tasks this is a plus, for others, a minus. If you're working in an area where maneuverability is required, a cord could get in the way. But for tasks where the cord won't get tangled up, a corded tool is often preferred in that it is cleaner and easier to use (just plug it in - no need to fill it up with gas). The Alligator offsets this decrease in maneuverability, in some situations, because of the control gained when actually using it - sure, you've lost some maneuverability, but you can attack branches in precarious positions much more safely than with a standard chain saw.
This control comes from the fact that you are actually grabbing, with the upper chain saw and bottom jaws, the branches/limbs that you are cutting. This also provides a significant amount of safety as compared to a standard chain saw. In fact, I find it very hard to think of a way someone with any sense could hurt themselves unintentionally with this. Along with the protective jaw covering the actual saw, it has a double-switching system - let go of the trigger, and the saw stops.
B&D says it has a 4" cutting capacity, and this is pretty dead-on, in my experience. It took care of average size branches with ease and was actually a lot of fun to use. Weighing in at only 6 pounds, I could have kept cutting all day long. It has the upper hand on the chain saw in two other areas, other than safety and ease of use, as well. First, it can handle smaller branches that a chain saw might just push out of the way. Second, if you you're cleaning up fallen branches, you don't need to prop them up on saw-horses - which is a requirement with chain saws (sawing into the ground is a very bad idea).
I was walking last night and saw a small, older woman chain sawing some small branches around her house. She was coming over the top of the branches, and when they'd let lose, the saw would swing down by her side. This could have had disastrous consequences. And it's not just true for small, old women - it's true for anyone. This, to me, is the real benefit of the Alligator. And because probably 95% of the tasks where a chain saw was previously used could be taken care of with the Alligator, in most yards at least, it's a justifiable purchase.
The price for the Alligator is also really dropping. Before, you couldn't get for less than $100, but recently it's dropped down in price considerably at Amazon. My guess is that it wasn't selling well. This is one of those items that, because it's so unique, it's really difficult to get that initial purchasing force. Once people see how convenient they are, however, I'm sure more will be buying, and they'll raise the price up. But for now, 70$ is a pretty fantastic price.
More specs and reviews at Amazon.