If you are just looking for something to help with your "honey-do list" then this is a very nice tool. My husband has used it satisfactorily multiple times to hang pictures and wall decor. I would recommend this tool and so would my husband. It really helps when you need a third hand around to help with little projects!

I thought the batteries that came with it were bad, so I replaced them. Still lethargic. So I figured I got a bad one, returned, still no luck. So i returned that one and have a fresh one in a package that i intend to sell on Ebay. Hope to recover 25% of my investment. Woo-Hoo...

As everyone says - its way too big and heavy for any practical use. The only problem I had with the motor was that it never worked at all - it was Dead On Arrival. This was good news though - now I won't have to make a show of using it for my in-laws, who gave it to me for x-mas.

My husband received this as a Christmas gift from his parents and at first I thought it was one of those laser level things but then I took a second look and while let down I thought that this might be cool anyhow--but it's not. It's clunky, heavy, big, and kinda useless. It only extends about 3 feet before it goes "limp" and bends. It's not great for long distances. Also, when you extend it beyond 3 feet it sounds like the batteries are dying (maybe they are, but they are the new ones that came with it). I do think the little magnets on the right angle part on the end are a nice touch but they're not real strong so they don't grip/stick well. Plus, that wouldn't be real useful working with wood. Bottom line don't waste your money unless you have to have every gadget known to man.

Being the first on the market I just had to have one. I like to buy everything new when it comes out. But man was I wrong to buy this right away. First, the motor is severely underpowered. Other reviewers have commented about it as well. It does conk out after about 3 feet and then requires the manual pull. Secondly the retract barely works. I mean I need to hammer my switch to get it to work. Third, this thing is huge and weighs a lot. I know its because of the motor and batteries, but still its too big.
I own many Black and Decker tools and have been extremely satisfied over the years. This was a first attempt at a new product that didn't get as much testing as it needed. I'm sure that Black and Decker will try and improve this and make it better. It seems that everyone thats reviewed it has the same complaints. Have faith and trust in them to make it better over time!