The Flymo Contour 500E Electric Trimmer and Edger is a handy gardening tool for medium garden sizes. It has a powerful 500W motor, a massive 25cm cutting width, and a lightweight 3.1kg weight to deliver an efficient trimming and edging experience.
Its corded electric power supply ensures consistent performance without having to recharge batteries. In this review, we are going to look at the key features, design, and safety features of the Flymo Contour 500E in order to allow you to make a decision on whether it meets your garden care needs.
Power and Performance
Flymo Contour 500E is equipped with a 500W motor that generates 11,000 RPM, which is powerful to handle thick grass and unyielding garden borders effectively. The twin auto-feed line of 1.5mm cord ensures continuous cutting, minimizing the interruption of work in between. Corded electric power supply provides consistent output, eliminating the hassle of recharging batteries and allowing for extended trimming sessions.
Simple Handling
At only 3.1kg in weight, the Flymo Contour 500E is very light and simple to handle, even in extended gardens. It has a telescoping handle that is adjustable according to the user's height and an additional adjustable secondary handle for greater control and comfort.
Edging & Trimming
The trimmer also has a twist-and-edge functionality for convenient switching from edging to trimming without the need for additional tools. The plant guard incorporated and special edging wheel also enhance precision when edging around garden borders and flower gardens.
Safety and Maintenance
Flymo Contour 500E puts safety first with various important features. The plant guard that is built in shields plants and shrubs from over-trimming through mistake, and the 10m cable means there is ample reach without the need for multiple power sockets.
Safety features instruct that protective gear, i.e., gloves and safety glasses, be used and children and pets avoided during use. The light weight also dispenses with wearer strain, enhancing handling and control overall.
Customer Feedback
The Flymo Contour 500E Electric Grass Trimmer and Edger has received mixed reviews from consumers. The majority of the users praise it for its power and performance and term it as giving excellent value for money and performing exceptionally well. There are, however, varying opinions on assembly. Some consumers find it easy to use and assemble, while others have expressed dissatisfaction with setting it up.
Mixed Opinions
The performance of trimmer also causes mixed opinions. While some users credit it for its robust build and regular performance, others are annoyed at parts getting detached with minimal usage. Similarly, the cutting efficiency has also been controversial.
While others prefer the clean cuts and jagged edges it produces, others suffer from constant line breaking, affecting overall performance. The look also receives conflicting views, with others admiring the smooth finish achieved on edges, while others criticize the trigger mechanism as being clumsy and ill-designed.
Power Level
Customers are always hailing the Flymo Contour 500E for its immense power, with them describing it as a powerful and very effective grass cutter. Many have commended its ability to cut heavy growth and thick grass easily, mentioning that it is much more powerful than other similar machines.
One buyer had described it as "an excellent purchase" and mentioned its increased power and simplicity. Another had said that while it was a little heavier, it was a "very competent tool" that both cut and edged well. Additionally, the adjustable height feature is valued for contributing to usability as well as ease of use.
Work Operations
The Flymo Contour 500E is also greatly acclaimed for its performance of work operations, with customers noting its easiness in trimming and edging operations. Most users love how well it does with lawn edges and out-of-control zones without tiring, terming it "fantastic on your lawn edges."
The durability of the tool is also commended, with most customers praising its stability and performance consistency. Although it has a slightly heavier construction, the ability of the handle to be adjusted ensures that any strain is reduced, allowing users to work for long hours without any discomfort.
Value for the Money
Its affordability is a major selling point for the Flymo Contour 500E, as many customers would emphasize that it is value for money. Different users commend its low price, especially for those who are looking for an excellent trimmer without breaking the bank.
One customer advises that the trimmer is "incredibly affordable" and ideal for those who want a functional and effective tool at a reasonable cost. Furthermore, the fact that replacement spools are reasonably priced adds to its value as an affordable option for lawn care.
Trimmer Weight
Customers have divergent views on the weight of the Flymo Contour 500E. Some of them find it easy enough to handle and balanced, while others find it too heavy for its dimensions. One of the customers states that even though the trimmer is bigger than the previous model of theirs, it is still light in weight.
Alternatively, another consumer refers to it as a "heavy unit" but qualifies that the weight does not bother them given how efficient it is. There are some references to the trimmer being heavy, therefore a bother to handle and requiring that little extra effort in order to keep the power lever depressed when operating it.
Ease of Assembly
Assembly experience with the Flymo Contour 500E is also quite diverse among consumers. Others find it easy and simple to assemble, with precise instructions that simplify the process. One reviewer explicitly states the tool is easy and a good item to use and assemble.
Others struggle, though, claiming that the instructions are confusing and difficult to follow. A number of users have found themselves needing to use online tutorials, like YouTube videos, to finish assembling it, which suggests that the manual supplied might not be clear enough.
Build Quality
The build quality of the Flymo Contour 500E is met with mixed reviews. Some users compliment its solid build, saying it is heavy and well-built. One customer sings the praises of the height adjustment function as particularly well thought through and easy to use.
That said, not everything is rosy. Others criticize the lifespan of the trimmer, complaining of parts breaking after minimal use and ongoing line snapping when edging. Despite these criticisms, others state that the tool performs adequately well, with some calling it a handy and effective gardening aid.
Cut Quality
The Flymo Contour 500E receives mixed feedback regarding its cutting performance. Others prefer to use it for trimming and maintaining neat lawn edges, enjoying its high cutting diameter to cut deeper into densely vegetated areas. The trimming functionality is noted to be easy to engage, with a guide wheel facilitating cleaner, more accurate edges.
Other buyers also lament the cutting cord, explaining that it needs to be manually adjusted all the time and can be difficult to restring. In addition, others complain that the trimmer shorts out from time to time and disrupts overall functionality.
Build Design
There are varied views on the build design of the Flymo Contour 500E. Some customers appreciate the professional grade edging ability of the tool, noting that the central wheel design is robust and functional. They also praise the guard for being able to keep debris in place when using the tool, rendering it safer.
On the other hand, some users blame the general build, laying finger at the trigger mechanism. It feels awkward to use and hurts hands after prolonged use, they say. Others mention that while the trimmer itself feels solid, the design flaw in the cord feeding system leads to constant line breakage, ruining the overall experience.
Strengths of the Flymo Contour Trimmer / Edger (Pros)
Budding Performance: The Flymo Contour 500E comes with a robust 500W motor that offers sufficient power to tackle thick grass and long borders effectively.
Lightweight and Adjustable: Weighing only 3.1kg, the trimmer is quite lightweight to handle, having a telescopic handle and adjustable secondary handle that boost control and reduce user fatigue.
Versatility of Application: The trimmer's twist-and-edge functionality enables rapid switching from trimming to edging, giving a tidy, professional edge along lawn edges.
Value for Money: Several customers praise the tool's value for money, with others commenting that replacement spools are affordably priced, making it an economical solution for garden upkeep.
Robust Construction: Some customers find the trimmer robustly built, with a rugged construction and a useful central wheel that helps in edging and steering.
Efficient Edging and Cutting: The 25cm cutting width and double automatic-feed line guarantee efficient coverage, with the inbuilt guide wheel assuring straight and precise edges.
Drawbacks of the Flymo Contour Trimmer / Edger (Cons)
Weight and Balance Issues: Despite being light in weight, others have complained that the trimmer is heavy and unbalanced, making it difficult to use for prolonged periods.
Assembly Issues: Customers have diverse experiences with assembly, with some users complaining of confusing instructions and needing to look for secondary information elsewhere online.
Variable Build Quality: Customer feedback regarding the durability of the trimmer is also varied, with some users commenting on parts breaking upon light use while others complain of frequent line breakages.
Cord Management Issues: The cord feed system has been criticized for being a poor design, with the line needing constant manual adjustment.
Trigger Mechanism Flaws: Some users are upset about the trigger mechanism being clumsy and difficult to push down while in operation, particularly when edging around with the trimmer.
Cutting Performance Consistency: While some appreciate the trimming quality, others criticize inconsistent cutting performance, with the trimmer stalling at times or requiring frequent adjustments.
Final Conclusion
Flymo Contour 500E Electric Grass Trimmer and Edger is a cost-effective, multi-functional trimmer for medium gardens, offering power, cutting precision, and ease of use. Featuring a 500W motor and 25cm cutting length, it will cut through long grass and thick-cut edges, making it a practical tool for ongoing garden maintenance.
The tool's edge-and-twist mechanism and built-in guide wheel also make it more versatile, enabling users to create professional-looking edges with ease. Some Drawbacks
Aware of Drawbacks
However, potential consumers should be aware of some of the drawbacks. While the trimmer is rather light at 3.1kg, others experience that it is unbalanced and heavy, particularly when in continuous use. The adjustable handles help to counteract strain, but the trigger mechanism is frequently blasted for being painful and difficult to trigger.
Additionally, the assembly process has been a hit-and-miss affair, with others experiencing the manual to be vague and relying on online tutorials to guide them.
Mixed Reviews
Quality of construction also receives mixed reviews. Few users like the trimmer's rugged design and heavy-duty construction, while others bemoan parts shattering on usage and constant line breakage while in use. The cord feed system has been identified as a design flaw, where the line has to be readjusted manually and is difficult to restring.
Still Holds Value
In spite of these reservations, the Flymo Contour 500E remains an option for budget buyers who want a cheap trimmer with enough power to perform simple garden work. Its low cost, combined with affordable spool replacements, makes it an attractive choice for those on a tight budget.
Those in search of something more robust, well-balanced, and easy to handle might have to look elsewhere in their chosen brand or other models to suit their particular gardening requirements.
Your Feedback
Overall, the Flymo Contour 500E is a decent performer and multi-tool for a very fair price but will require a bit of patience with assembly and servicing. Did you ever need this Flymo Contour Grass trimmer in the past? If so, please share your personal opinion and experience by commenting below. So other members in the wider community may also benefit from this.
Recent Comments