EGO Line IQ Powerload String Trimmer ST1623T Review - No More Bump Feed! 

Mine never bound up on me, but I ended up selling it to my neighbor after just a few months due to the height ergonomics I mentioned. Longevity of the auto feed mechanism was a bit of a concern for me too. I bought the G2 power head with the Powerload string trimmer attachment this year. That one has just as much power as this Line IQ but uses a bump feed and has better ergonomics for me.

The tool has a 5 yr warranty though right?

Yes

This exact reason is why I bought the aluminum shaft adjustable model without line iq.

Good point, I hadn't considered that.

Shoulder straps should come standard with all line trimmers. not sold seperately. It probably cost them 50 cents to manufacture

I went with this product because I can't stand the bump feed - can't do it on soft grass and it constantly jams. Frustrating as hell. This magically solves the problem. The Line IQ feature does take some getting used to. I wish it had a button that triggered the line feed because it's a bit unnerving at first when the line suddenly bursts out 2 inches. However, and its a BIG however, it is much better than the typical 'bump' weed whackers we've all been programmed to using (and super frustrating as they all jam regularly). Loading new line into this unit is so easy. EGO clearly built a better 'mouse trap' with this product. It's innovative and they nailed the solution to all the annoyances and frustrations of all other weed whackers.

I have a greenworks trimmer that has a u-shaped wire guide opposite the guard. Folding it down keeps you from getting to close to objects you don't want damaged.

They have one for $199.99 the older model but it works well , I just purchasers yesterday. Super happy with my buy

That would definitely help with balance if the string trimmer is set to its shortest length. Is the backpack pretty comfortable?

@@DoresoomReviews HI, yes it is, it has nice padding and is fully adjustable. It even has a cross strap to keep it from sliding off your shoulders. A friend of mine who also has one complained to me about the heat but I don't understand what he is talking about because the battery itself sits about two inches away from the surface of your skin. I also have a powerhead and I like to use the backpack when edging because I can run a large battery and don't have to swap it after 20 minutes. I almost wish they made one that could hold two batteries. I find it easiest to put it on and keep it on, I do my trimming, switch to the powerhead, do my edging, then switch to the blower and clean up, definitely saves time.

So, what is the model to buy? ST1623T vs st1511t vs 1521s?

@@rhoodj st1511t the angle fit better I’m 5-9 with long arms and I prefer the bump I demo bump free and brought lighter strings and it malfunction to get the right weight to stop the feed

Does removing the guard defeat the purpose of line iq??? cause im so used to trimming without the guard.

@@aseroxmilez No it does not. Line IQ works independently of the guard.

That sounds really frustrating! Has it always been like that, or did it get worse over time?

@@DoresoomReviews Mine has always been like that.......and now my line won't advance automatically at all.

I have the edger attachment, and do eventually plan to review it. As far as I know, it's only available as an attachment for their power heads. My take on it (so far) is that it's nice to have, but not necessary. It does get the soil and grass back a nice even distance from the edge of your pavement. But I used it a few times in the spring after I got it this year, and haven't used it again all summer. I just maintain the edges of the lawn by flipping my string trimmer on its side. That being said, the edger is really nice for establishing a very clean edge a few times a season.

@@DoresoomReviews Thank you so much for answering, and right away, too! I'm considering the edger because string trimmers seem to hate me. I haven't tried one in many years, but before that, what a clown show! I couldn't keep enough string out, the bump feature just didn't do me right, the line kept getting stopped up inside, and I just couldn't seem to make it anywhere near worth the effort. I had actually given up and decided to tell people that the grass growing up my chain link fence was a "natural fence" that I was trying, an art installation, so that I couldn't be fined by the town (it wasn't quite that bad, but it may have gotten to be). Due to a heart problem, I had to stop caring for my lawn myself, so now the fence is nice and trimmed by the nice young men I must pay to do it. The edging the guys do is usually pretty good. But I want a very clean edge, a deep edge, practically a moat, one that can be seen from space. I want an edge that I can look at and have the grass cower in fear of ever touching the sidewalk again. Since I'm not doing the other lawn chores anymore, I'm thinking my heart might let me get way with a bit of edging once every two weeks or so. It's a lot of money for me to spend, being on Social Security. The idea of using a lithium battery tool, no fooling with gas and oil, or a cord, made by a company that seems very reputable, might be the way to go. So I thought I'd ask you, my honest and favorite lawn (and other) tool reviewer, what you think of it. I very much appreciate you taking the time to answer. Good health and happiness to you and everyone you love, always!

It actually doesn't come with a strap, just the attachment point for one. I decided to keep my old one and sold this new one to my neighbor since I had already thrown away the box by accident.

@@DoresoomReviews Ah, so the under 5' 6" crowd might want to wait to see EGO's answer to this problem. Shorter people have yards to care for too, EGO! Don't leave us hanging! And we need a shorter price for the shorter trimmers! 😄

LOL, I like the idea of "pay per height!" Discounts on everything!

I bought the new G2 power head along with the Powerload string trimmer attachment for it this year, and the angle is much better for shorter people. However, the edger attachment head seems to be designed for taller people though.

@@DoresoomReviews Hmm, interesting. I'm taller (6' 2"), but sometimes that can be a problem as well, especially if bending for long periods is involved. Ended up grabbing the Ego ST1511T for $180. Will know how it works soon !

I don't remember claiming they were discontinuing all bump feed models. They're definitely reserving Line IQ as their "premium" model for now.

I sold it to my neighbor who is taller than me. As far as I know, he hasn't had any issues with it. I ended up getting the G2 powerhead this year, which fits my height better.

I don't think it will take a brush blade, but I'm not sure.

@@DoresoomReviews Thanks

Has it always worked that poorly, or was it a gradual decline in performance? You may have gotten a defective unit it it's always been bad. Or it may be what type of line you're running in it. It worked fairly well for me initially, but I ended up selling this to my neighbor because it was just too awkward for me to use due to my height. So I can't say how it does for long term performance.

@@DoresoomReviews It was like this with the line that came with it, plus .095 line I already had. EGO "support" told me to take it apart, but it's clean inside. It's a real pisser I can't just buy a standard head and use it, since apparently that can't be done. This guy ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-GgFdZcbQXkw.html disliked and swapped his, but he had a complete donor trimmer.

@@LarryCook1960I just switched mine to bump feed it works on mine

Have you tried stopping and spinning it back up to get the line to advance? Not ideal, but it might help. I ended up selling this one and keeping my older one, mainly because of the guard height.

@@DoresoomReviews have tried the stop then go. I have cleaned out everything and will try using only EGO . 95 string and see if it likes it any better>

Hi, which model are you using ?​@@DoresoomReviews

You absolutely need to use the EGO .095 string, though certain other .095 strings could also work, maybe. The line IQ feature is a tightly tuned system that depends on the line being a both a certain diameter, flexibility, and density, so that the resulting centrifugal force created when the line spins is sufficient to draw the line out when it gets too short. If you change one part of a tuned system (like switching out a spring for example) you end up unintentionally detuning it and it won’t work properly. Let us know if that resolves the issue.

I think it will work without the guard, but I haven't tried it myself. The guard catching the ground was my biggest annoyance, so that would probably be the easiest fix for short people.

I'll have to try that next time I mow! I agree, EGO makes some great stuff. Maybe I just need to get some stilts for when I use this trimmer! 😂

@@DoresoomReviews sometimes companies just don’t look out for the vertically challenged 😂

The guard catching on the ground is a symptom of the main problem, which is that the head angle is too severe for shorter people. If I take the guard off then it will just let me angle it further than it's designed for. Then my trimmer's disc will be angled relative to the ground, providing an uneven cut.

Mine hasn't broken, so it's not possible for me to do so. I'd contact EGO customer service. This model is new enough that it should still be under warranty.

I haven't run it without the guard myself, so I'm not sure. I would not clean the head with water, since the motor is located there. It does fine with damp grass, but I wouldn't spray or submerge it.

Yes, Chervon (EGO's parent company) has a patent on the design.

Yes I think it will, but I haven't tried it myself.

Coming soon: Brushless stilts from EGO. 🤣

@@DoresoomReviews EGO 4amp platform shoes.

ohno😭😅

Did you line up the arrows on the head before feeding through the line?

I had trouble feeding the line through my first time. By the third time, it was a piece of cake. The key is to not pull it apart. Just line it up and if it doesn't go through well, start with the other side of the string. Now I can't wait to do it.

@@DoresoomReviews I have the older head, bump only. I Have a very hard time feeding through the line. Do I need to line up some arrows. Did I miss something?

I don't think the head can be exchanged for a bump feed one, but I'm not sure.

Huh??? You must be the only person on the planet who wants shorter batter life. Here's a suggestion - buy the 'tool only' for $199 and purchase the 2.5ah battery and charger separately. It will probably cost you more but you will get the shorter battery life you want.

@@treydrier3169The 2.5 Ah battery weighs less than the 4.0. I run 5.0Ah as standard across all my EGO tools but have 2.5Ah batteries for my hedge trimmer for the lower weight, which especially matters if you are extending the tool out and can’t otherwisec upport. For a string trimmer, I mitigate with the shoulder strap.

@@louisperich6678 If you have the 2.5ah battery from the hedge trimmer, just use that battery instead of the 4ah battery. Problem solved.

@@frommatorav1 that is exactly what I do. Sharing that tip with y’all.

I looked more at the EGO patent filing after doing the review. I think it's a completely passive system in the head for advancing the line. EGO's warranty is 5 years, so the line feed mechanism should be covered for at least that long. Afterwards I would expect head replacements to be available - I can find lots of older EGO trimmer heads for sale online, but not the Line IQ head yet.

Are you using .095" diameter line?

I doubt it, but haven't tried myself. The Line IQ is a much taller head than that used by the Multi Head system. Even if they use the same attachment hardware, it will extend below the guard of the Multi Head trimmer.

True the head axis isn't perfectly straight, but that angle dictates how often you'll catch the guard on the ground. So it's still a difference that matters.

You might be onto something there! 😂

Is that something you've tried with this string trimmer, or just something you think will happen?

question

I think you can take the guard off. It doesn't seem to keep feeding once it reaches the designed 16" diameter.

@@DoresoomReviews how about EGO robot Mower?

They've filed a few more related patents since I found the first one, but that's all I know. No official EGO announcements.

$300 for the 4Ah battery kit: lowes.sjv.io/KedPay

They do have a new powerload version or the multi-head tool, but it only works with the gen 2 power head.

@@DoresoomReviews thanks. That is no help to me as a Gen one owner. I get why but it’s aggregating

I thought about just prying it off or taking a Dremel to it, but tape is probably a better idea.

That might work. I ended up selling this one to my neighbor anyway.

@@DoresoomReviews being 6’2” it fits me fine. Just bought one on FB marketplace for $200 new. Love it.

Like your mom?

Story of my life! 😂 Leg room is never a problem though.

😂 200cm everything is designed for the short ones...

Oh please, he can't control his height.

This EGO trimmer is every bit as powerful as my old gas ECHO SRM-225, which I got rid of as soon as I got my first EGO string trimmer. The only thing that would have made me keep the ECHO it is if I had a large area to cut and needed the non-stop runtime that gas offers. But for yards a half acre and less, you really have no need for gas anymore.

I can use an edger tool, hedge trimmer on 5 large bushes and string trim my whole yard on one 2.5ah battery. I never have to buy gas or worry about a gas/oil mixture. It's substantially quieter than a gas trimmer and a little bit lighter, too. No fumes either. I previously had a 120V electric Black and Decker string trimmer that wouldn't bump the line out. Even with a brand new head assembly. I've never had that issue with my Ego in 5 years.