If you're taking up to 30 minutes to use a trimmer than you are either REALLY slow or you have too much property and need a gas powered unit. I don't think I've even spent 30 minutes weed whacking 3 acres of lawn before. Hurry it up sugar pants!
I've got an 18v Black and Decker that I paid $100 for. It came with two batteries. Each gets me about 20 minutes. It's not very powerful, but its enough to trim the lawn. It gets bogged down pretty easily when doing anything lack hacking down weeds or cutting tall grass.
I also have the corded version of the same trimmer which costs $40 and its much more powerful. It'll power through tall grass and weeds no problem.
I have a 36V Lithium B&D that has an adjustable power level. It's possible, with light work, to get an hour out of a battery.
I have a black and decker I got from Walmart. It only goes about 30 minutes on a charge too, but it came with two batteries. Its plenty for my yard. In fact, I used it Sunday and didn't even need the second battery.
My suggestion: If you're not getting enough use time out of a charge, look into getting a spare battery.
Already tried a gas trimmer, too hard to start.
ANYTHING Battery = crap to me, I never even consider buying it
I have the same, along with a blower that uses the same battery. Not nearly enough for a small half-acre.
Already tried a gas trimmer, too hard to start. Considering a corded trimmer, but not happy about it.
Me too, until I got the B&D 36V Lithium one and was impressed.