The Geib Excello Cordless Clipper, or should we say Cordless Trimmer? I have been testing the Excello since August 2008 as a cordless trimmer, so I'll refer to it in this review as a trimmer.
The Factory Specifications
Cost: $125.00 for the kit
Speeds: Single speed @ 5500 spm
Battery: 2 NI-Cad, 60 minutes operating time each
Combs: 4
Blade: One, 1 3/4 inch adjustable (3mm to 8mm)
The Evaluation Procedure
I do my own evaluations, I never give anything to a customer to test for me. When I groom on Saturdays, I don't answer the phone, or check dogs, or deal with customers. When I'm finished with one dog, the bather replaces it with another ( its a deal I made with the owner for 25% ). This way I can remain at my station and stay focused when I'm doing evaluations or testing repaired equipment for customers. I insist on checking a new grooming tool over a long period of time, not just a day or two. I want to learn what all its capabilities and weaknesses are when I'm using it during different grooms.
How many times has someone raved about a tool and then you ran out and got one? Then after you used it for a while it wasn't what they claimed it was, and now it just sits in a drawer. This may come from not spending enough time using the product. Myself as well as the other groomers in the shop have put his trimmer through hell for the last 5 months.
What I look for in a trimmer
-Ease of use.
Do you need to be a scientist to operate it or maintain it?
Can you take it out of the box and start trimming without reading and understanding some very confusing instruction manual? Can you do some of the obvious things like put the battery in and the blade on without calling customer service? Some instruction manuals have ALL the products that manufacturer makes listed in it, then you have to figure out which one is the correct one to follow.
-Quiet.
We do a lot of small dog faces. I want to be able to do clean faces and feet on skitziod dogs without them reacting to a trimmer in my hand. What kind of noises, if any, does the trimmer make? Is the trimmer loud enough to upset a dog if your doing a face? Would this trimmer work on a cat? Many use trimmers as opposed to clippers on cats because of noise issues.
-Power.
Can it trim all the difficult areas without slowing down? I'll test all the trimmers I own if I find a difficult part of the coat. This way I see how they all react together. Does it slow down, or vary in speed, or does it hold the speed? This is important when you have dogs or cats with difficult fur.
-Battery Life and Charging.
This goes hand in hand. I want good operation out of the battery in light or heavy coat. Ill work on light coated dogs one day, then heavy coated dogs the next so it doesn't skew my results. Does the heavy coat drain the battery more then light coats and how much? When charging the battery how long does it take? We cant wait 15 hours to get a battery back on line, so I'm comparing all battery charging to 3 hours.
-The blade and combs.
Is the blade hard to get on and off? Can it be cleaned easily using my video "How to clean trimmer blades" found on my website? Are new blades available for purchase? Are the combs made tough? Do the combs lock on or clamp on? Anything I hate is to be going along and have a comb pop off in heavy coat.
-Weight and comfortability in use.
Is It balanced with the battery in? Is it easy to change batteries on the fly.
Where is the blade adjustment knob or setting lever? Is it easy to change the setting on the fly without turning the clipper every which way to do it? Can it be done with one hand so you can still hold the dog?
My Conclusions
The Geib Excello has become part of my grooming kit, and the other groomers in the shop as well. I really loved this trimmer because it surpassed my overall expectations. Its a very easy to use trimmer, it was simple to put the blade on, the battery in, and the combs on without reading the instructions. I did read the instructions about charging the battery before attempting to do so. What really impressed me was the battery life. Both my batteries lasted over 2 hours running the clipper in heavy and light coat. The battery charge time was just about two hours, and I drained them to almost nothing before I put them on the charger. The charging base will charge both batteries at the same time so this cut down on regeneration time.
I trimmed as well as did complete shave downs, and the batteries were holding good charges. We did a few cocker patterns, a few schnauzer patterns, and a sweetheart with no problems so it had some power and battery life. Our cat groomer in the shop used this trimmer on a cat and said it worked wonderful, it had enough battery for the entire groom and was quiet. The combs lock on and don't pop off when you hit thick coat like some other trimmer combs. They didn't twist or catch and it left a smooth cut, not steppy, I was very impressed.
This trimmer is virtually silent, no more dogs or cats backing up or getting stressed out on the table.
(Picture) Hair behind the blade needs daily cleaning. The blade easily goes on and off no matter where the blade adjustment knob is set at.
(Picture) Charging stand and battery/comb storage. The charger shuts off automatically when the battery is completely charged. The extra battery is stored on the charger in a second charging slot.
Hair did collect behind the blade inside the head, and also under the cutter blade so cleaning is very necessary. I have a video that will show you how to clean trimmer blades of this type effectively. This is normal cleaning for trimmers of this type.
The blade seemed to cut like a good #10 blade (1/8th inch) on the #1 setting, and almost like a #50 on the last setting. I started using the #4 setting while doing the pads rather than the #5. The #4 took the same amount of hair off and I felt this setting did just as good. The blade is constructed with metal and plastic, and has a wire tension spring holding the cutter on the comb part of the blade. Hair does get between the blade halves and needs to be cleaned out just like any other trimmer blade of this type. I took this blade apart and found that it can be re-sharpened just like other trimmer blades of this type.
The combs can be stored on the charger base so you don't lose them. They snap on and didn't pop off even when I shaved a cocker with them. I dropped this trimmer many times during this evaluation and it still runs excellent but the case has a few scuffs but no cracks. I used blade oil to lubricate the blade, a tiny drop remained on the blade a very long time. In my opinion, I wouldn't spray any coolant on this trimmer.
(Picture) Can be secured with rubber band in the mobile, keeps it in the stand while driving to your next stop.
(Picture) Both new Geib trimmers in their charging stands.
This is just my opinion of this trimmer using it in my environment and using my grooming style. Other groomers may get a different opinion of it and thats OK. If your looking for something different, and you like the color blue, this may be the trimmer for you to try.
Have Fun, Be Safe, and Read Those Labels :)
Thanks a bunch for doing this review. I'll need to replace the speed feed eventually and that is probably what I'll get next. I find the SF gets way too loud after the bade is used for a while. Louder than my andis sometimes.
Have you tried the zero heat clipper yet? Really interested in this as well.
Posted by: elizabeth | February 01, 2009 at 09:05 PM
I read this review and ordered one from Petedge, I cant wait to get it. Ive had an Arco for years and want something that wont slow up when I try to go through thick hair. I feel this trimmer may be the one...Thanks Jeff!!
Posted by: Julie | February 28, 2009 at 08:00 PM
I ordered this clipper as soon as I read your review.
It's lasted about a month. Liked it at first, but slowly it's like it's not making the battery connection. Runs sporatically. Fast..then slow..then fast...I'm so disappointed once again.
Posted by: sicily | March 19, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Sicily
Did you contact Geib like you were suppose to?? They do warranty everything they sell.
That trimmer has made many groomers very happy so there may be something else going on. Did you drop it? Did you try it on wet shaves? Did you spray any coolant on it?
So if I were you I would get in touch with support and get a new one. There is a chance that the unit could have a problem and that happens to ALL trimmers out there not just this one.
I never had a problem with it in three months but I never dropped it, or used it around water, or sprayed any coolant on it at all.
You will be happy if you follow your warranty instructions. CAll and get a different one!! If you email me the serial number off the documentation Ill help you.
jeff@northerntails.com
Posted by: Jeff Andrews | March 19, 2009 at 12:50 PM
how much are replacent blades?? can you interchange oster and andes blades for them??????
Posted by: Janelle | August 07, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Any suggestions for a clipper for everyday use. Was going to get a Geib zero heat, but when I called to order they said they never got them at Pet edge. Thanks,
Lee Ann
Posted by: Lee Ann | August 24, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Lee Ann, here is what I use. I work one day a week shaving down dogs for a groomer here in Mobile. If you looking for quiet then go with the Andis clippers. But, if your grooming tough coat you want something that doesnt slow down, go with the Wahl KM-2. Its around the same price as the Andis and is lighter. If your really needing an heavy duty clipper that will go through any coat you put on the table, get a Laube. If you put the sprays away and start using blade oil on the blades, a Laube clipper will last a lifetime. Im living proof of that, and I can show you how to save 50% of your equipment maintenance costs.
The Zero Heat is going under a complete design change, so its a guess when it will ever appear on the market.
Hope this helps you out
Posted by: Jeff Andrews | August 24, 2009 at 07:56 PM
Thanks Jeff, this is very helpful info, did I read somewhere from an earlier comment that you don't like the Oster powermax 2 speed? I have the Laube speedfeed and have found it to be my favorite tool. I have a customer that has the KM2 who'll let me try it out. Which Laube model do you use? Thanks Jeff, Lee Ann
Posted by: Lee Ann | August 28, 2009 at 07:32 AM
I use the Laube Micro-mini variable speed. The clipper 10 years old but it is a locomotive. I try the KM-2 first and then the Micro-mini if the coat is tough. Its soooo much easier than fighting matts using an Andis. On a positive note, I do have an Andis AG2 that Ill put up against any clipper out there including that German clipper. This little AG2 does not slow down going through anything, but its over 12 years old and has never has coolant sprayed on it. Its a Super Two Speed with the maroon case, and there will probably never be another like it.
On another note, I dont like the PowerMax because it breaks down and we cant fix it here in the states, it has to go back to Oster. Its not that bad of a clipper, it goes through about any coat like the Wahls and Laubes but they break down without warning.
Hope this helps
Jeff
Posted by: Jeff Andrews | August 28, 2009 at 05:34 PM
Jeff, Just out of curiousity where do the osters go for service, please tell me it isn't say-China? Sounds like you really approve of both that Laube and the andis. I don't have an issue spending the bucks on the Laube if it's truly great performance wise. A perfect example of coat type that I shave down would be like a Golden mix, big bodied, and very thick coat. Would u say that the Laube is worth paying twice what I'd pay for that Andis? Also do u service both types?
Lee Ann
Posted by: Lee Ann | August 31, 2009 at 07:42 AM
Yes I service all clippers except the Oster and Andis cordless, and the Oster PowerMax, they all go back to the manufacturer.
Sounds like your grooming tough coat. I use the LAube Micromini for those big goldens, sometimes they have hair like straw. That could be a happy choice for you as well.
I am a Laube Authorized Service Center for both Alabama and Louisiana. If you oil your blades instead of spraying coolant on them as blade lubrication your Laube will have very minimal maintenace and your blades will never heat up like other folks claim. Oiling before every groom like I show you in my video's is enough and you'll never get any on the coat.
HAve fun with your new Laube.
Jeff
Posted by: Jeff Andrews | August 31, 2009 at 08:20 AM
Thanks Jeff, will do, and thank you so much again for all your professional insight. I sent in my order today and will let you know I'm sure how great it is. Every product I've ever tried from Laube has been awesome so I'm sure I'll be just as impressed with the mini and will b sending it to u for maintenance! Thanks! Lee Ann
Posted by: Lee Ann | September 01, 2009 at 08:03 AM
Hi please tell me are these any good for horses? heavy work loads loads of trimming coarse and greasy coats. look forward to your response. Thank you.
Posted by: Horse Clip | July 08, 2010 at 06:03 AM
Can you give any suggestions for a clipper for everyday use?
Kevin
Posted by: pediatric emr | August 24, 2010 at 08:23 AM
Currently have spoken with customer service at Geib. Have Geib Excello 300 for approx. 18 mo. and it now runs sporadically-fast than slow.Be aware there is a 1 yr warranty for this unit-period. Was told it's the motor and they do not repair. quote: " I never heard of such a thing" from customer service. BTW, not used in a shop, trim 3 Cavaliers and I am very particular about caring for my clippers. I loved this clipper but it's heading for the trash!
Posted by: Patricia A Boone | March 21, 2012 at 10:32 AM
We recieved the BC300 and out of the box this clipper had a broken battery pack, a trimmer that has a stuck blade that will not adjust with the knob and the motor on the clipper that runs sporadically fast and slow.
The charger light, when the remaining battery is seated, will either not light or it blinks red or it's a constant red. Once it turned green and nothing in the instructions indicate what a constant green light means.
I contacted Geib and they're replacing it with a new kit and I am impressed with their customer service.
But, after this out of the box experience and some of the comments above about the sporadic motor issue, I'm questioning whether this product had any quality control and whether we're only going to enjoy it for a few months before it dies.
Posted by: Conrad Hedberg | March 24, 2012 at 08:01 AM
The motor issue was also a problem for me. It worked very well for about 8 months and the motor unexpectedly just died. I called Geib and I go the same answer. "Its the first I heard about this". He did replace it, but it only lasted about 5 months and did the same thing. I just chunked it and went with a Wahl Chramado. Ive had it two years and I dont think there is a better trimmer.
BTW, My sharpening service refurbished the 5-N-1 blades for $10...They cost $25 new. I also have an article on my website how to properly clean these blades and ALL trimmer blades with the wire springs.
Check out my website. You'll find we are one of the best.
www.northerntails.com
Jeff
Posted by: Jeff Andrews | March 24, 2012 at 09:19 AM
To be totally truthful - the Excello is horrible! I had to exchange my first one because it began making a terrible rattling noise. It was still under warranty. I purchased the cordless trimmer at a Grooming Convention because the guest speaker/groomer said it was the most quiet cordless he had ever used. I was sent another "new" Excello in January - it is already running slow, the batteries work for about 2 hours, etc. I hate it and will definitely never purchase another Geib product.
Posted by: Janice Little | May 19, 2012 at 02:09 PM