Best Legacy L8346 Retractable Garden Hose Reel Review
A well-maintained garden is a source of joy and tranquility, but managing garden hoses can often be a tangled affair—literally. Enter the Legacy L8346 Retractable Garden Hose Reel, a product designed to bring order, convenience, and a touch of sophistication to your outdoor space. This review delves into the features, performance, and overall value of this hose reel, helping you decide if it’s the upgrade your garden deserves.
First Impressions
Straight out of the box, the Legacy L8346 impresses with its solid build and sleek design. The unit boasts a robust polypropylene outer casing, offering durability without compromising aesthetics. Its neutral color palette seamlessly blends with any garden decor, making it not just a functional tool but also a complement to your outdoor ambiance.
Key Features
Automatic Retractable System
At the heart of the L8346 is its automatic retractable mechanism. This spring-loaded system allows the hose to retract smoothly back into the reel with minimal effort. Simply give the hose a gentle tug, and the reel takes over, winding the hose neatly and efficiently. This feature eliminates the hassle of manual winding and reduces wear and tear on the hose.
50-Foot Hybrid Hose
Included with the reel is a 50-foot hybrid polymer hose. This hose strikes the perfect balance between flexibility and durability. It’s designed to be kink-resistant, ensuring a steady water flow without frustrating interruptions. The hose remains flexible even in colder temperatures, making it suitable for use throughout the seasons.
Nine-Position Locking Ratchet
The reel features a multi-position ratchet locking mechanism. This allows you to pull out just the length of hose you need, and it locks securely in place. Whether you’re watering plants close to the house or at the far end of your garden, the hose stays put until you’re ready to retract it.
180-Degree Swivel Mounting Bracket
The included mounting bracket enables the reel to pivot 180 degrees. This flexibility means the hose reel moves with you, reducing tension on the hose and making it easier to navigate around obstacles. The swivel action enhances the user experience, especially in larger gardens or awkwardly shaped spaces.
Durable Construction
The Legacy L8346 is built to last. The UV-stabilized outer case resists fading and degradation from sunlight exposure. Internal components are crafted from high-quality materials designed to withstand regular use. Brass fittings provide secure, leak-free connections between the hose and your water source.
Installation
Setting up the hose reel is straightforward. The package includes all necessary hardware for wall or post mounting. Clear instructions guide you through the process, which typically takes less than an hour. It’s advisable to mount the reel on a sturdy surface to ensure stability, especially when the hose is fully extended.
Performance
In action, the Legacy L8346 excels. The hose unreels smoothly without snags, and the ratchet system holds the hose firmly at your desired length. When it’s time to pack up, the automatic retraction works like a charm—no more wrestling with stubborn hoses or winding them by hand. The hybrid hose maintains consistent water pressure, and its kink-resistant nature means you can focus on watering rather than untangling.
User Experience
Users appreciate the convenience and efficiency this hose reel brings to their gardening routine. The retractable feature saves time and keeps the garden looking tidy. The swivel mount is frequently praised for its ease of use, allowing for fluid movement and reducing strain. The overall build quality gives users confidence in the product’s longevity.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Effortless Retraction: Automatic system simplifies hose management.
- Flexible Hose: Hybrid polymer hose resists kinks and remains supple.
- Swivel Mount: Enhances maneuverability and ease of use.
- Sturdy Build: Durable materials ensure long-term performance.
- Aesthetic Design: Neat appearance complements garden settings.
Cons:
- Hose Length: While 50 feet suffice for most gardens, larger properties may require additional length.
- Mounting Requirement: Installation is necessary; may not be ideal for renters or those unwilling to drill into surfaces.
- Price Point: Higher cost compared to basic hose reels, but justified by added features.
Maintenance
Maintaining the Legacy L8346 is minimal. The enclosed casing protects the hose from the elements, prolonging its lifespan. Periodically, you may want to check the reel and hose for any debris or buildup, especially if mounted near trees or in dusty areas. The UV-resistant casing means you won’t have to worry about sun damage over time.
Value for Money
While the initial investment is higher than that of traditional hose reels, the Legacy L8346 offers significant value through its convenience, durability, and time-saving features. The quality of materials and workmanship means you won’t be replacing this unit anytime soon, making it a cost-effective choice in the long run.
Legacy Retractable Garden Hose Reel Review
It’s not a good sign when a reviewer struggles to know what to say about a product so read carefully. I will begin with the positive. Some people like the Legacy Retractable Garden Hose Reel because some of them have gone to the trouble to give it an average 3.8-star rating.
But you have to know that star ratings are a numbers game. It’s based on the number of people who provide feedback, and the rating they give the item, and those two figures are averaged; you end up with the star rating.
The Legacy L8346 is a retractable garden hose reel – which means that it automatically rewinds itself into the reel housing. One of the frustrating things about using a garden hose is getting it back onto the reel – untangled. If you don’t, it’s a real struggle to unwind the hose next time you need to use it.
The Legacy garden hose reel solves this problem with a unique system that coils the hose perfectly. That’s one of the big pluses. One of the big downsides of the Legacy L8346 is that it can only handle 50ft of a garden hose; 100 or even 150ft is much more practical for most garden uses. It doesn’t have a kit to expand the hose length, and neither does it come with wheels.
The mounting system allows the hose reel to be mounted on walls in several different configurations, or, it can be used as a free-standing unit.
Before I buy a product I always try and read the manual, fortunately, a lot of companies now post their manuals online so it’s an easy thing to do. I was discouraged by the instructions to replace the garden hose and carry out simple maintenance.
I was also put off by the recommendation that hose replacement and maintenance should be conducted by the manufacturers. Ordinarily, I don’t pay too much attention to those recommendations (unless it’s for a car) but having read the manual and looked over the pictures, I don’t think they are jobs I want to tackle myself. I would suggest you make sure you are up for the task before purchasing. If you are very good at working with your hands, it will probably be a cinch.
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Legacy L8346 5/8” x 50ft Retractable Garden Hose Reel Features and Specifications
- 5/8-inch-by-50-foot retractable garden hose reel
- The hose is automatically layered by a unique winding system
- Constructed of UV-stabilized durable polypropylene for a long life
- The mounting bracket can secure reels in up 7 positions
What Buyers Have Been Saying about Legacy L8346 5/8” x 50ft Retractable Garden Hose Reel?
A few buyers have praised the Legacy Garden Hose Reel and say it’s the best one they have found to meet their needs. At the same time, almost the same number of people say that their Legacy L8346 has been fraught with problems and breakages; several reports have to replace the unit. I would have expected fewer complaints about breakages and leaks for a hose reel at this price.
- LEVELWIND TECHNOLOGY - This unique winding system automatically layers the hose back and forth across the reel. This ensures that the hose is coiled smoothly, easily every time. Let the hose run free for immediate automatic rewinding or choose the latching mode which latches the hose every 3 feet
- EXTREMELY DURABLE - Made from UV stabilized polypropylene, which can withstand the toughest jobsite conditions
- LOCK HOSE IN PLACE - The seven position locking bracket allows this reel to swivel freely on a mounting bracket up to 135 degrees or can be locked into place using the locking brace. Up to seven different locking angles can be utilized
- EASY TO STORE - Mount on the wall or ceiling or use with the freestanding base
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Does The Legacy L8346 5/8” x 50ft Retractable Garden Hose Reel Have A Warranty?
The Legacy has a two-year limited warranty for the unit itself; it does not include the garden hose. The garden hose that comes with the unit is only warranted for 90 days.
Where Can I Buy it?
You can buy the Legacy L8346: 5/8” x 50ft Retractable Garden Hose Reel from here. It’s on sale with over $40 off at the moment so don’t put off your purchase – you never know with Amazon when they will take an item off sale.
Can I Read More Reviews For Legacy L8346 5/8” x 50ft Retractable Garden Hose Reel?
I would recommend that you read all the reviews for Legacy before you splurge. Not all buyers have been happy with the product and you could save yourself some tears by reading about others’ experiences with this hose reel. When there are so many garden hose reels that cost less, yet, have high testimony from buyers, it pays to check them all out.
Should I Get A Retractable Garden Hose?
Storing your garden hose can be problematic, especially if you have a long length of flexible hose to store. Retractable garden hose reels are one solution to this problem, but they are not for every home. Read on to see if a retractable hose is the right choice for you.
Retractable hose reels work best in situations where you frequently roll out a very long length of hose and then have to reel it back up to store it.
While there are a few high-tech exceptions, most retractable hose reels will automatically wind up the entire length of the hose. The hose is either put away or out.
If you frequently need to wind up only part of your hose, such as when you water multiple garden patches, this option might not be very convenient for you.
Read More: FitLife Expandable Garden Hose Review
Final Thoughts
The Legacy L8346 Retractable Garden Hose Reel stands out as a premium option for homeowners seeking to enhance their gardening experience. Its combination of functionality, durability, and style makes it more than just a garden tool—it’s an upgrade to your outdoor lifestyle. If you’re ready to say goodbye to tangled hoses and hello to effortless watering, the Legacy L8346 is a worthy contender.
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