I bought this about a year ago because I wanted a better quality retractable reel that delivered more water, so I purchased the half-inch version.  This unit is heavy and at first seems to be good quality.  It requires a substantial wall or post to hang.  You can read more, but the short version is that the hose retracts unreliably with a flaky clicking mechanism that often does not work well.  The plastic feeding guide ring that moves back and forth to help lay the hose evenly while rewinding eventually bends outwardly and pops off the plastic cover that surrounds it (won't stay in even when put back in)...it also does not release to readjust, causing frequent, frustrating binding of the hose.  The nozzle end randomly unplugs and shoots off causing water leaks if left pressurized.  Disappointing.

More details.  I have completely given up on the units sold at Home Depot and Lowes, having had every single one break within months--and no satisfying response from the manufacturer.  For years I used a Harbor Freight retractable air hose reel for my garden, but, because it is exposed, the sun would damage the hose and eventually cause breaks.  So when I saw this larger hose and its cover, I decided to try it despite its cost.  My water pressure is about 100psi.  I installed a cut off valve feeding the unit, but sometimes forget it if the nozzle itself has a cut-off valve.  This proved to be disastrous with nozzle malfunctions if it remained pressurized too long in the hot sun.  The nozzle unit at first swivels nicely, but within two weeks, the nozzle shot off causing a huge water leak.  It plugged back in and seemed solid, but made me nervous. Over the year, it fired off twice more, so I just cut it off and used a barbed fitting with a hose clamp.  Still shot off.  I suspect the type of hose material used expands when hot--expanding so much that it won't clamp well......or it is an unusual inside diameter that doesn't work with standard hose barbs.  If the feed-ring that guides the hose back onto the reel somehow falls behind or moves ahead of the hose as it rewinds, it causes a hopeless bind.  And there is no simple way to disengage it to realign it as is seen in the cheaper models (this is the one feature I wish this had).  The click stop reel has an annoying lever to turn on or off the clicking...sometimes works, but I find myself fighting with it more often than using it.  Frankly I see no reason NOT to have a clicking function that is always engaged.  Who enjoys watering a garden playing tug-o-war with the hose?  So my quest continues for a quality retractable, carefree hose that works reliably.  If anyone, anyone has found one, let me know.

If the manufacturer reads this.  1) Fix the swivel hose end so it can't shoot off.  2) Make the guide have a release to realign it.  3) Remove some hose or make the reel bigger --as there is too much hose for the space.  4) Make the click stop function permanent and remove the lever so there is less to break.  Then I'll improve my review.
I bought this about a year ago because I wanted a better quality retractable reel that delivered more water, so I purchased the half-inch version. This unit is heavy and at first seems to be good quality. It requires a substantial wall or post to hang. You can read more, but the short version is that the hose retracts unreliably with a flaky clicking mechanism that often does not work well. The plastic feeding guide ring that moves back and forth to help lay the hose evenly while rewinding eventually bends outwardly and pops off the plastic cover that surrounds it (won't stay in even when put back in)... it also does not release to readjust, causing frequent, frustrating binding of the hose. The nozzle end randomly unplugs and shoots off causing water leaks if left pressurized. Disappointing. More details. I have completely given up on the units sold at Home Depot and Lowes, having had every single one break within months--and no satisfying response from the manufacturer. For years I used a Harbor Freight retractable air hose reel for my garden, but, because it is exposed, the sun would damage the hose and eventually cause breaks. So when I saw this larger hose and its cover, I decided to try it despite its cost. My water pressure is about 100psi. I installed a cut off valve feeding the unit, but sometimes forget it if the nozzle itself has a cut-off valve. This proved to be disastrous with nozzle malfunctions if it remained pressurized too long in the hot sun. The nozzle unit at first swivels nicely, but within two weeks, the nozzle shot off causing a huge water leak. It plugged back in and seemed solid, but made me nervous. Over the year, it fired off twice more, so I just cut it off and used a barbed fitting with a hose clamp. Still shot off. I suspect the type of hose material used expands when hot--expanding so much that it won't clamp well.... .. or it is an unusual inside diameter that doesn't work with standard hose barbs. If the feed-ring that guides the hose back onto the reel somehow falls behind or moves ahead of the hose as it rewinds, it causes a hopeless bind. And there is no simple way to disengage it to realign it as is seen in the cheaper models (this is the one feature I wish this had). The click stop reel has an annoying lever to turn on or off the clicking... sometimes works, but I find myself fighting with it more often than using it. Frankly I see no reason NOT to have a clicking function that is always engaged. Who enjoys watering a garden playing tug-o-war with the hose? So my quest continues for a quality retractable, carefree hose that works reliably. If anyone, anyone has found one, let me know. If the manufacturer reads this. 1) Fix the swivel hose end so it can't shoot off. 2) Make the guide have a release to realign it. 3) Remove some hose or make the reel bigger --as there is too much hose for the space. 4) Make the click stop function permanent and remove the lever so there is less to break. Then I'll improve my review.