I happened to be at HD today, and took a look at the Conti and Good Year rubber hoses.
One of the things I've liked most about the Craftsman/Dramm hoses is that they are very pliable, and in that respect, they're softer that those two.
Although that may make them more vulnerable to kinks, I'd rather fight kinks than a stiff, inflexible hose that fights me back, like an average vinyl hose that stiffens and gets worse with age.
The Dramm also has nickel-plated brass fittings, which are also less likely to corrode. They're also very compact; those large strain reliefs on some hoses might be fine with a hose bib, but less than optimal on the inside of a reel. Gorilla warns against using hoses with aluminum fittings with their hose reels, and recommends their extension/adapter piece to prevent galvanic corrosion.
No experience with Flexzilla or Zero-G, but will have to check them out when the chance arises.
I took advantage of the Walmart rollback on the Gorilla reels last month, but have yet to assemble it. Would like an Eley, but can't justify the cost for my usage, with the disposable plastic stuff Suncast makes at the other end of the spectrum. Have been trying to find the elusive middle ground and hope that the Gorilla meets it.
and that’s my pet peeve in life right now). I just ordered this and when it breaks maybe I can get an Ely….I do think it can last 2 seasons. I made the mistake of going to the flexible hoses. They cannot be used for spraying the cars as not enough pressure. I plan to go back to the normal hose.
