Battery Pole Saw vs. Hand Operated Pruning Saw

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

I have a large number of weed trees on my property.  It's the old I got too busy for ten years story.  Before I drop them I'd prefer cutting off the longer, higher branches.  Some of them are on an uneven hillside, so using a ladder is out.  I've looked into both:

1)   cordless battery powered pole saw with a small chain saw type contraption on the end, and
2) a hand operated extension pruner and saw
The extension hand saw would reach about 10-14' high, the cordless maybe 9', so cutting by hand would give me more reach especially if I used the 24 ' DocaPole from Amazon.

Questions for anyone who has used either type of saw:
1) The cordless battery powered saw is heavier, do you ever find it too heavy, or is the weight countered by faster cutting?
2) Years ago I bought a cheapo hand operated extension saw, even new it would jam in the cut occasionally.  Can anyone recommend a brand that wouldn't do this?
3) Has anyone used the DocaPole?  Some reviews were positive, but I find it hard to imagine I could accurately control a saw blade 24 feet away.  And if it became stuck in the partially cut branch as happened to one reviewer, getting it out is a job in itself.

I'll still have dozens of trees in my yard after I cull, so I can use whichever saw I buy for trimming small branches from time to time when necessary.

[terracore]

I bought a Ryobi corded pole saw many years ago, it was before the cordless models were available.

The worst part about it is the power cord. It's heavy, clumsy, and a PITA. The saw cuts really fast, as you would expect a tiny chainsaw to do. I like to be quick because I don't know if fire ants or centipedes are going to be falling down on me and I don't want the reciprocating nature of a manual saw to make that worse.

I think the Ryobi 18v model would be lighter and easier to use than the weight and logistics of trying to use my corded model, especially with a lithium battery which weigh very little. If my corded model ever fails I would rather replace it with the 18v version than expend any effort in trying to repair what I have. The down side is the 9.5 foot length, but I've been using it in an area where I can use a ladder. Using a ladder with a corded model makes it heavier and clumsier to use.

They make a pole saw attachment for the 40v string trimmer that reaches 12 feet. Frankly, I think that would be too heavy to use for any long period of time but I bet it makes quick work of the branches.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Thanks terracore,
The 18v Ryobi was at the top of my perusal list, you just bumped it up another notch or two.
Thanks for the caution about the fire ants.  That hadn’t occurred to me, but one time would be too much especially if there’s a bunch of them.

[Rob Tucker]

I have the 18v Ryobi and use it regularly. It has exceeded my expectations.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Thanks Rob, 
Another bump upward for the Ryobi.

[Obie]

I have had 4 of the Royobi's. I call it my old man's chain saw. With the extension removed you can cut logs on the ground without bending over.
They are pricey but buy 2 of the 4AH batteries and it will wear you out. You can get extra chains . Put this in a google search. Homelite UT-43160/30254EG Ryobi RY43160 Pole Saw (2 Pack) Replacement Chain # 901289001-2pk

You can also buy the saw only if you have batteries and a charger by going to Home Depot's website. They don't carry the tool only in the stores.

My friend and I combined all of our extensions and taped a titanium pole to them and cut really high branches but it took both of us to lift it .

[Durian Fiend]

Having both would be nice. I've used a cutting blade bolted to a long bamboo pole for pruning small stuff high up. Bamboo can be so light weight that it allows a manageable long reach.

[Or1on]

I have the 18v battery Ryobi pole saw too.  I've had it for 3 or more years.  It works very well but here are the couple knocks on it:
  It slowly leaks the chain oil but if the lid is stored in the upright position it helps.  The chain loosens more often than I would like so I have to carry that little allen wrench every time I use it.

[terracore]

I have 3 Ryobi chain saws (18v, 40v, corded pole) all of them will leak all their oil in storage. I remember the instructions on the cordless models warning about that, I don't remember about the pole saw but it probably did too.

I also recall the pole saw chain requiring more frequent tightening than the others.

[allensylves]

I have the Oregon 40v pole saw and really like it. The Oregon people are really good to deal with if you have a problem.
I then bought the 40v chain saw and it really works well for relatively light work. I don't have any heavy cutting anymore to try it on.

I also have the Silky pole saw (4 sections) and it works well, but the teeth tend to bite into soft woods and are hard to get to move.

Where I can use it, the 40v is a lot easier on me!