Unit has worked well both in blower and vac mode... Especially appreciate the variable speed capability..... Dependability rating will be defined with time...
Comments are for the 1st purchase. My first one lasted for 4-5 seasons. However the switch broke in the 2nd season and I just unplugged each time to empty the bag for the other years. I only use the vacuum portion, because it is too difficult for me to get plastic pieces apart. I am an 82 year old women, 5'7". I believe it would be hard for a shorter person to use. Sometimes it is difficult to pull the bag portion off, because leaf fragments get lodged in there. Perhaps with the new zipper location, I won't need to take it off to empty. I have not used the new one yet. I was very satisfied with the old one and expect the new one to be even better.