Greenworks Elite 40V 18" Cordless Pole Hedger

I have just used the Earthworks 20 inch 40V pole hedge trimmer for the first time today, and I must say that it made what has normally always been the least favorite part of doing yard work into something that is not too bad. I have 4 huge Azalea bushes which I inherited when I bought my current home. They were massive and out of control. I have them under control, but they remain massive and here is where my problem lies. These bushes are very wide and I have a hell of a time reaching the center to keep them trimmed. I have a 24 inch Kobalt 40V trimmer that is entirely capable of cutting these bushes, but I have to lean into the bush with my arm extended and using one hand to sweep the trimmer back and forth. This is tiring and aggravating. One of the bushes has an area where I can actually walk into the (almost) middle of the bush and reach the middle. Yes, it looks as ridiculous as it sounds. So now on to the Earthworks. My initial reaction was that of some of the other reviews on here, and that is that this thing is pretty flimsy and plasticky. It is front heavy, where the cutting head is but the battery does provide a form of counter weight. I just lay the cutting head on top of the bush and that takes some of the weight off. I can see how this trimmer might be awkward for a smaller person or someone that is older to use. My arms were getting a little sore as well. The part that I have my doubts about (long term) is the plastic sleeve that the extension pole locks into. I wish this part was aluminum, as it feels like the weight of the cutting head will break it. There are two clamps, one at the aforementioned plastic sleeve, the other at the handle where the aluminum pole extends from. I tightened the screws on the clamps tight enough for the clamps to close with more tension yet loose enough to allow the extension pole to slide back into the handle when the clamp is open. This also eliminated some of the "slop" or wiggle where the pole connects to the trimming head. Satisfied, I charged the battery and went to work. This is where my work got easier than it ever was before. I cut the tops of the hedges and was able to reach the middle with the trimmer fully extended. I then walked to the opposite side and trimmed that side from the middle out. The total length of these hedges is about 80 ft. The battery performance was good and I only used up one bar. Probably because this trimmer made quick work of the tops of these bushes. I think it only took about 15 to 20 mins. I then did the sides with my shorter Kobalt. I am happy with this purchase so far, even though I have only used it once. It has definitely made this trimming work easier and faster. This tool is probably not to be thrown into the back of your truck from across the street, but for light home owner usage I think it is adequate. Just use common sense and when in doubt refer to the instruction manual. If anything happens to this trimmer, I will update this review. But so far so good.