EGO Line IQ Adds Automatic Line Feeding to Drive String Trimmer Innovation Forward
EGO makes some of the best battery-powered string trimmers for homeowners thanks to their solid performance and low vibration. The line also has some of the top innovations and we’re seeing that again in the EGO Line IQ battery-powered string trimmer.
Pros
- Automatic line feeding
- Easiest line loading
- Excellent cutting power
- Outstanding runtime
- 2 speed settings
- Telescoping carbon fiber shaft
Cons
- No way to manually extend trimmer line
- Not all trimmer lines feed and extend well
Curious what we use and recommend? Check out our Best Battery-Powered String Trimmers of the year!
Using the EGO Line IQ Battery-Powered String Trimmer
- No-Load Speed: 4800 RPM (Low), 5500 RPM (High)
- Max Cutting Swath: 16 in.
- Max Line Diameter: 0.095 in.
- Runtime: 1 hr
Line IQ
Without a doubt, the biggest talking point is EGO’s latest innovation—Line IQ. In the simplest terms, it automatically feeds the line to keep your cutting swath at 16 inches without needing to bump the head as you go.
As we used the trimmer, we paid close attention to how the line feeds. If either end gets too short (~7 inches), the head automatically releases additional line. It’s that simple.
One thing to note is the cutter is not able to flip and give you two cutting diameter options like some. The Line IQ sensor is specifically dialed in to keep the line at 16 inches total swath.
PowerLoad
EGO also includes their PowerLoad design on the trimmer. To load it, simply pull your new line through the head to the middle of its length, push the PowerLoad button, and the motor automatically winds it in. It takes a couple of tries to get used to, but once you do, it’s the easiest line change ever.
One thing we noticed during our testing is that the Power Load head works best with a round line rather then a square line like Echo’s Black Diamond Line. Something about both the feed and winding mechanisms doesn’t seem to play nicely with square line types.
Speed Settings
Like some battery-powered string trimmers, the Line IQ has two speeds plus a variable speed trigger. What’s unusual about EGO’s design is the LED indicator to let you know which one you’re in.
Use low speed (3500 – 4800 RPM) when you need to extend your runtime. Kick into high (4000 – 5500 RPM) when you want to work more quickly or have to deal with thicker overgrowth.
Cutting
All of that’s great, but it still has to cut grass. With the 0.095-inch line that comes from EGO, it does an excellent job, especially at high speed. That said, you have to check out EGO’s dual-color replacement line. It switches from orange to yellow right at the halfway point, making line changes that much easier to anticipate.
What’s really helpful is not having to stop and bump. That’s actually underselling it a bit. You don’t realize how nice it is to not bump your way through the lawn until you’re not bumping your way through the lawn. It’s fantastic! Not only were we able to keep trimming at a more consistent pace, but we also weren’t searching for a hard surface to extend the line or cutting the grass lower than the rest by bumping it along the way.
The one downside to this system is that it’s possible to break off line faster than it can feed. For example, I tend to break my trimmer line more frequently while I’m trimming around my wooden privacy fence and even more often if I’m trimming around a chainlink fence. We noticed in applications like those that the material could clip off inches of line in quick succession and the feed system took noticeably longer to get back to its 16-inch swath.
Some form of a manual feed would help alleviate this. Since that’s not available at the moment, focus on cutting with the tips of the line around those hard materials and avoid thwacking off big chunks.
Runtime
For runtime, we tested the 4.0Ah battery that came in our kit and ran for 1 hour and 4 minutes… at high speed! For most lawns, you can save some weight and run a 2.5Ah battery if you like.
EGO Line IQ Battery-Powered String Trimmer Design Notes
- Model: EGO ST1623T (kit) ST1620T (bare tool)
- Power Source: EGO 56V battery
- Weight: Weight: 7.7 lbs. (bare tool), 12.7 lbs. (with kitted battery)
- Length: 72.2 in.
- Shaft Type: Straight
- Shaft Material: Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber Shaft
The deal gets even sweeter with a telescoping carbon fiber shaft. It’s more than strong enough for the job, reduces the overall weight of the trimmer, and gives you some length adjustment to dial in the right fit for you. It’s as simple as flipping a quick clamp lever, shortening or lengthening, and flipping the clamp back down.
Another really nice feature is the quick clamp handle adjustment. Just flip it open, adjust the handle where you like it (including angled to the side), and lock it back down. If multiple people are using your trimmer, the simple tool-free adjustments make getting the right fit much easier than other string trimmers.
Weight and Balance
Thanks in part to the carbon fiber shaft, the bare weight is just 7.7 pounds. Adding a 4.0Ah battery to the mix brings the total weight to about 12.5 pounds With that battery installed and the weight of the brushless motor at the trimmer head, it’s easy to dial in a good balance.
The trimmer is easy to handle, but if you would like to add a shoulder strap, EGO includes a removable clip point in the box. It installs just below the throttle and you have about 6 inches of length to help you find the best balance point.
Additional Features
- Weather-resistant construction
- Compatible with all EGO 56V batteries
EGO Line IQ String Trimmer Price
Retail pricing is $329 for a kit that includes a 4.0Ah battery and charger. There’s also a bare tool option for $219.
As always, EGO backs this trimmer with a 5-year warranty. The carbon fiber shaft is guaranteed for life.
The Bottom Line
The EGO Line IQ battery-powered string trimmer is everything you hope would come from the sum of EGO’s impressive innovation. It’s even easier to use than previous models, and it has the high performance and low vibration we’ve come to expect. While I do hope to see some sort of a manual line feed function to supplement Line IQ in the future, this is still the easiest string trimmer homeowners could hope for!
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