Avoid like the plague folks!! Was after one for ages and finally got a 100ft one three weeks ago at Homebase sale. You can't use it effectively with a pressure washer and mine too succumbed to the inherent fault of suddenly and inexplicably bursting! Taking back at weekend and will get an "ordinary" hose Instead Very very disappointed as I was careful not to snag it on corner of walls etc.
I bought an xhose (50ft) from Gardeners World last year and used it extensively last summer and autumn and even more so this year, and so far have had no problems. I love it. Am now thinking of buying another one - slightly longer as mine just won't reach the greenhouse at the end of my garden and will pass mine on to my daughter. Tip,after watering my garden,never use the switch on the spray attachment either to stop the water or to let the hose shrink back by itself, it could easily catch on plants or sharp objects. I just walk back to the tap, turn it off then go back to pick up the spray nozzle and use the water that's left in the hose to finish off watering a couple of pots, walking back whilst the hose is shrinking then hang the hose on a hook. Brilliant!
I've had two of these X-Hoses in the past two years and both have burst just out or warranty, so have both my neighbours' hoses. I never left them under pressure as I would walk to the tap to turn it off whilst still having the sprayer turned on. I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole!! It's a shame as they are so light to carry, perhaps one day they will make them a lot stronger. The inner tube is extremely thin and that is why they burst, if they were thicker they wouldn't expand and shrink.
It didn't work - apparently our water pressure is too low for it to expand !
Took it back immediately and a very friendly lady at B&Q gave me a no fuss full refund.
Got impression they are having a lot returned - even the New improved versions.
Some due to lack of pressure & others due to splits, damage etc.
I am also following this up with Trading Standards - there is nothing on the packing that mentions a minimum water pressure to use this hose.
Our water pressure is actually fairly good at around 1.5 bar. (Some recent plumbing installation confirmed this).
My tradition 'old' hose has great pressure and can spray all corners of garden, it just frustrates me when it kinks etc.
My belief is that x-hose is still in development phase and went to market too soon. Recent improvements (possibly making internal hose tougher) means it probably now DOES need a higher water pressure to activate effectively.
Don't touch them! We bought two of the original hoses and (foolishly believing the original problem was fixed), bought two of the 'new-improved' ones. That's around £200 worth of hoses.The last 'new-improved' one only lasted 3 weeks before it blew apart and now has a 3 inch tear. They are wonderful when they work but have such a short life. We have gone back to the old fashioned type as well.
I've tried the x hose, 75 foot I think. It works well for a while and then blows up literally. I was however impressed at the labour saving while using and then bought a couple of cheaper versions to replace it for two different hose outlets. Same thing happened. I think I have had 6 drenchings to date! So many soakings because you can re-use them after they pop. You cut the hose back to the remaining rubber insert in the sheath and re-attach to the tap/gun. When you dismantle the connections it will be obvious how easy (and fragile) they are to reassemble but I now have 2 steadily shrinking (not expanding as they lose a chunk of length every time they pop) hoses and think I may revert back to my trusty traditional hosepipe soon and invest in the best retractable hose storage unit I can find.
Too good to be true but if you don't mind the odd drenching and shock due to the incredible bang they make when they pop and also don't mind replacing them on an ongoing basis they do work-but only for a little while.
The previous posts have convinced me that once bitten twice shy is relevant here and I won't be buying the new reinforced x hose.
I live in Ireland anyway so I don't really need a hose due to the tropical climate!
Has anyone heard about the totally new and revolutionary Y hose? I've been hearing rumours that it changes colour to suit the floral background in the garden that it is used in and will also help stop global warming.
Anyway I have had my two bits and just hope they don't start using for petrol pumps anytime soon!
I bought one of these about two months ago - it burst in days, it was replaced by the retailer, it burst again, it was again replaced and lasted about 4 weeks before bursting again, Conclusion? Not fit for purpose and should be avoided if you don't want a lot of hassle.
Posts
Avoid like the plague folks!! Was after one for ages and finally got a 100ft one three weeks ago at Homebase sale. You can't use it effectively with a pressure washer and mine too succumbed to the inherent fault of suddenly and inexplicably bursting! Taking back at weekend and will get an "ordinary" hose Instead Very very disappointed as I was careful not to snag it on corner of walls etc.
I bought an xhose (50ft) from Gardeners World last year and used it extensively last summer and autumn and even more so this year, and so far have had no problems. I love it. Am now thinking of buying another one - slightly longer as mine just won't reach the greenhouse at the end of my garden and will pass mine on to my daughter. Tip,after watering my garden,never use the switch on the spray attachment either to stop the water or to let the hose shrink back by itself, it could easily catch on plants or sharp objects. I just walk back to the tap, turn it off then go back to pick up the spray nozzle and use the water that's left in the hose to finish off watering a couple of pots, walking back whilst the hose is shrinking then hang the hose on a hook. Brilliant!
I've had two of these X-Hoses in the past two years and both have burst just out or warranty, so have both my neighbours' hoses. I never left them under pressure as I would walk to the tap to turn it off whilst still having the sprayer turned on. I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole!! It's a shame as they are so light to carry, perhaps one day they will make them a lot stronger. The inner tube is extremely thin and that is why they burst, if they were thicker they wouldn't expand and shrink.
I bought 75' x-hose from B&Q.
It didn't work - apparently our water pressure is too low for it to expand !
Took it back immediately and a very friendly lady at B&Q gave me a no fuss full refund.
Got impression they are having a lot returned - even the New improved versions.
Some due to lack of pressure & others due to splits, damage etc.
I am also following this up with Trading Standards - there is nothing on the packing that mentions a minimum water pressure to use this hose.
Our water pressure is actually fairly good at around 1.5 bar. (Some recent plumbing installation confirmed this).
My tradition 'old' hose has great pressure and can spray all corners of garden, it just frustrates me when it kinks etc.
My belief is that x-hose is still in development phase and went to market too soon. Recent improvements (possibly making internal hose tougher) means it probably now DOES need a higher water pressure to activate effectively.
If I were you, I wouldn't bother to waste money on the x hose, or any of the cheaper versions you find on e bay or similar sites.
I've tried the expensive x hose and the cheaper version, all with the same results - splitting and spraying water everywhere after minimal use.
Lucky I kept my old fashioned plastic type.
Don't touch them! We bought two of the original hoses and (foolishly believing the original problem was fixed), bought two of the 'new-improved' ones. That's around £200 worth of hoses.The last 'new-improved' one only lasted 3 weeks before it blew apart and now has a 3 inch tear. They are wonderful when they work but have such a short life. We have gone back to the old fashioned type as well.
I've tried the x hose, 75 foot I think. It works well for a while and then blows up literally. I was however impressed at the labour saving while using and then bought a couple of cheaper versions to replace it for two different hose outlets. Same thing happened. I think I have had 6 drenchings to date! So many soakings because you can re-use them after they pop. You cut the hose back to the remaining rubber insert in the sheath and re-attach to the tap/gun. When you dismantle the connections it will be obvious how easy (and fragile) they are to reassemble but I now have 2 steadily shrinking (not expanding as they lose a chunk of length every time they pop) hoses and think I may revert back to my trusty traditional hosepipe soon and invest in the best retractable hose storage unit I can find.
Too good to be true but if you don't mind the odd drenching and shock due to the incredible bang they make when they pop and also don't mind replacing them on an ongoing basis they do work-but only for a little while.
The previous posts have convinced me that once bitten twice shy is relevant here and I won't be buying the new reinforced x hose.
I live in Ireland anyway so I don't really need a hose due to the tropical climate!
Has anyone heard about the totally new and revolutionary Y hose? I've been hearing rumours that it changes colour to suit the floral background in the garden that it is used in and will also help stop global warming.
Anyway I have had my two bits and just hope they don't start using for petrol pumps anytime soon!
new expandable hose is BRILLIANT, I love it, it has transformed my gardening
Was thinking of getting one of these at next weeks Southport Flower Show. So glad I looked here first! Thanks folks.
I bought one of these about two months ago - it burst in days, it was replaced by the retailer, it burst again, it was again replaced and lasted about 4 weeks before bursting again, Conclusion? Not fit for purpose and should be avoided if you don't want a lot of hassle.