AVOID - NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE.

Bought one of these (3-in-1 Eckman 18v cordless lithium-ion multi tool) plus mini chain saw a couple of years ago. Hedgetrimmer was faulty but promptly replaced by Eckman.

I had two batteries but found that both were giving very limited usage time and have eventually stopped working but will not charge up. They have had only short term use, and whilst appreciating the inherent life span issues with Li-ion batteries, this is unacceptable.

I e-mailed Eckman and received no reply. In the e-mail I asked Eckman if they could offer any technical help as both batteries were showing a 20v output* and i wondered if it could be a memory effect issue. Still no reply so resent the e-mail and eventually received a reply from the Call Centre Manager - yes!!! She advised that new batteries could be purchased for £29.99 but, not unexpectedly, gave no technical advice.

Reluctantly I went on line (30/9/14) to order and was greeted with the message "OUT OF STOCK - EXPECTED 3/11/2014" This is too late for completing my Autumn trimming and disposal tasks.


The whole kit and caboodle is going on it's final journey to the tip this afternoon - NO MORE ECKMAN.

Poor products and service.

* There is a company called "Recellyourbattery.com" who advertise recelling of the Eckman LHT01B Li-ion battery for £45 pounds but there is an additional comment that "these battery packs feature internal charging circuits, we test these this first. If this component has failed unfortunately replacements cannot be obtained." My batteries seem to have a 20v output but will not drive the tools so I strongly suspect that the problem does indeed lie with the associated circuit board rather than the component cells per se.