The ultimate cordless lawn mower!

It's time to add another to the (previously) single customer review for this great lawnmower. I do wonder why this is for a device like this so few reviews, but it may be that many people do not buy this mower from Amazon and not come as a result the idea of ​​leaving a review here.

Since we are also unfortunately the same in a sore spot: I frequently like to buy, and expensive electrical and electronic equipment, from Amazon and has always been very satisfied. Makita devices but you can buy better elsewhere (I hope that Amazon has the courage to leave this review spite of this sentence). The reason: Makita offers for its appliances voluntarily Warranty Extension from 2 to 3 years (1 to 2 years for battery), but only if the unit was purchased from an officially authorized Makita dealer! And unfortunately, Amazon is now an authorized dealer once no ... If you are lucky you will find, however, in the Market Place vendors. Basically consider before buying on the Makita site to see if the dealer of choice official Makita dealer, otherwise it is impossible to guarantee extension. About the website the warranty extension must be applied for within 4 weeks (!) To purchase (invoice date), then goes nothing!
Caution is called for also when buying abroad. The hearsay there are traders who are officially authorized by Makita, but still sell fakes (he prefers an original machine from a non-authorized dealer). When suspicious low prices you should always exercise caution.

So that to now the lawn mower. I have this for over a week, have now mowed my lawn within a week for the second time and get the grin no longer out of her face. Honest! I never thought that could be fun to me mowing times. But first things first ...

My lawn is not very large (somewhere between 200 and 250 square meters), so I used the last 8 years a small electric mower (Brill ED 32) with 32 centimeter cutting width. Although the well is (former winner) and pleasantly quiet, but increasingly came to me the slipshod work with the power cord to the spirit, especially as I constantly have to circumnavigate obstacles like swing, trees, flower beds and flower pots. A wireless solution now had her last. But a petrol mower, I did not, which makes noise, produces exhaust fumes, is not maintenance-free, and fuel you have to always have in stock. So a battery mower. But what? Battery mower there are now many (even renowned) manufacturers. Since I already have some of Makita tools, but I remembered the choice ultimately slightly, on the discussed here BLM430 in 2x18V variant (BLM430ZX2C) because I eh times two "large" wanted treat batteries for tools. This is called well "kill two birds with one stone".

Mower I have free shipping ordered after some internet research on a very friendly Makita premium dealers, with around 350 euros even a little cheaper than here at Amazon. Payment was ingeniously through Paypal possible and after 3 days yielded Spedition Dachser the mower. He was shipped factory direct.
The batteries I chose original Makita 4.0Ah batteries (yes, they are compatible and also explicitly mentioned in the operating instructions of the converter), which I found after some searching for around 90 euros each in the bay, again at an official Makita dealer. Check Search and trader worth at this point! The price range in the battery is large, and for just under 90 euros, there are normally only offered by non-authorized dealers.

For my purposes it would indeed 3.0Ah batteries also done, but the number 4 is only around 10% more expensive than the 3 Series, but have the same size and weight a third more capacity. So you simply have more resources if they have lost in a few years due to aging capacity. The small extra cost is likely to be expected in any case. But beware: The 4.0Ah batteries fit into the BLM430ZX2C, but are not compatible with all (especially older) Makita machines, if necessary, a corresponding check is before buying announced (see also Makita website).
One can even use 1.5Ah batteries (BL-1815N, older types as BL-1815 go with 1.3Ah NOT). Of course, should the resulting good 10 minutes running time only people who have to mow no more than 100-150 square meters are sufficient (see also below on the subject of coverage).

Incidentally, I personally would advise everyone to do at least in the initial experiments and not to resort to the original Makita batteries, even if the price advantage of third-party batteries is tempting. The reasons: (1) 2 year warranty with no ifs and buts (if purchased through official dealers). (2) The 4.0Ah battery gives it currently only original Makita. (3) If the machine is not running properly, you have little chance to determine whether it is located on the machine or just the batteries are good for nothing (unless you have access to another (original) battery pack) when using third-party batteries. (4) Extremely schnelllade- and -entladefähige battery like Makita times are now high-tech; for safety reasons and for a long service life are chosen quality cells, a sophisticated battery management and optimized air ducts for cooling during charging indispensable. Party batteries possess these characteristics may not, or insufficiently. The batteries can then fail after a few months or significantly lose at least at capacity, or it is even dangerous (from ruptured or even third-party batteries will explode every now and then reported). When it comes to battery quality and safety just has its price!

*** Addendum on 18/06/2014 ***
Meanwhile, I have me in addition 2 party batteries (BL1830-compatible, 3.0Ah) gained (this one of Trade shop: High replaced Li-Ion Tool Battery 18V 3000mAh BL1830 BL1815 LXT400 194205-3 MAKITA BHP452 BHP453 BHP451SFE BHP451Z BHP453SHE BHP454 BHP454Z BHR202 BHR202RFE BHR202Z BHR240 BHR240Z, I have, however, significantly less than at present, namely 33,90 per piece paid). Also function properly in the lawnmower! What is the status with the durability of the batteries, time will tell. As a precaution, I invite you to NOT with the original fast charger DC18RC but with the Makita "slow" charger DC18SD (MAKITA DC18SD Battery Charger 7.2 - 18V 220V), it never officially existed in Germany and therefore only available as a UK import is. But works fine (also with original batteries), and especially for third-party batteries, where it is often unclear whether they can withstand the otherwise Makita-typical fast charging permanently, the slow loading affects certain very positive effect on the life span. "Slow" is the way, relatively: In DC18SD invites 3.0Ah battery in just over an hour! Compared with the quick charger DC18RC (25 min.) Is not sooo much longer.

Another issue: I amazed to find that the price level for the BLM430ZX2C sometime in the past 2 weeks has attracted dramatically! Was the mower at the time of my purchase here at Amazon for even just 330, - Euro available, are now (also for market place vendors) at least 120, - Euro to put more on the table, ie an increase of more than 35%. How does it relates to it, but annoying it is natural for anyone who only now considering a purchase. After all: With third-party batteries, much of this price increase can again catch, but then necessarily also order the alternative charger DC18SD!

And by the way: Yes, I'm still excited about this lawn mower! Meanwhile, he came several times (at least once a week, sometimes twice) to use, and so far I can not say anything negative.
*** Addendum end ***

Back to mower: The build quality is, Makita-typical, excellent. Of course, the unit is mostly made of plastic, but everything makes a very solid impression, nothing "wobbles rum" or rattles. The mowing "experience" and result is unparalleled: Although the Makita is a little louder than my old Brill, but runs much less vibration and thanks to ball bearing wheels easier. The lack of cable is the blessing par excellence, and also, thanks to wider cutting width (43 cm), I am now ready jiffy. After (thoroughly) the work is done are my batteries still pretty much 50% full (the Capacity Gauge indicates immediately after mowing 2 of 3 bar, which 20-50% capacity means, but after a short break even again 3 bars are displayed, which 50- 100% means). That's enough then loose to use the trimmer and / or hedge trimmer, alternatively for a "quick" cut a week later. With 4.0Ah batteries are on a single charge for about 35 minutes Lawnmower continuous operation there. During this time you should 400-500 sqm lawn mowed loose get (depending on how much he has already grown and how much should the mower to make an effort accordingly). That's more than decent.
After mowing the device can make it small with a few simple steps and stowed away in the garden shed. Since the manufacturer has thought along well, this possibility has not long since each lawnmower.

Recently Makita has brought a slightly smaller battery mower model on the market, the DLM380Z. This is an alternative worth considering, especially since he is getting about 60-70 euros cheaper. However, he has only 38 cm cutting width, the pot contains 10 liters less, and the cutting height adjustment work between 25 and 75 mm only in 10 mm increments (the BLM430 can be adjusted in 5 mm increments between 20 and 75 mm). In addition, the 380s can be operated exclusively with 2x18V batteries (the 430er is the option rauszunehmen the converter and him to operate with 36V battery). If all that does not matter, who can confidently engage even the 380s, because of the other differences between the models I can not see.

With more than 500 euros it is safe to consider not a bargain, but definitif every cheap-battery mower BLM430ZX2C with 2x18V 4.0Ah-original batteries. For example Einhell models were in the recent past "squandered" at discounters from 200 euros; for the satisfaction of customers keeps well within narrow limits. Many complain of rapidly declining batteries and poor workmanship. That's not an issue at Makita as fast; I'm sure I will have many years of enjoyment on my mower. Often it's just the way as in the oft-quoted saying: "Whoever buys cheap, buys twice."

For my part, therefore, a big recommendation!