Do i need a Axminster Axminster AP330ST Portable Thicknesser

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I have at present a Scheppach HMS260 planer / thicknesser.
It's a 2 blade planer / thicknesser, which i bought second hand.
it has a cast iron table top and to put it into the thicknesser mode you lift one of the tables and fix the dust collection funnel to a different position..only takes 5 mins to set up.
The thing I don't like about it is that since the thicknesser is under the planer. You have to kneel down to feed the timber in, i feel like im feeding into a black hole.

So was watching a few videos on YouTube and the new Axminster portable thicknesser caught my eye.

The plus points of the Axminster thicknesser seem to be it has helical cutters, but only 26 of them? I've been told it will be a lot quieter and give a better finish on hardwood.
The whole setting up seems easier, pre set heights of cut, a gauge to tell you know much it will cut on the given setting with your piece of timber. Also a roller/ snipe lock.
Since its portable I can put it at eye level and watch the timber go through.
Priced at £699 but with the black Friday sale only £599.
So I'm tempted, have I been drawn in to the hype?
Normally portable machines are not very accurate and built to be portable, or will all the plus points above make it a better thicknesser?

 

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[BCS1980UK]

I have a similar setup with my Kity 637

The thing I don't like about it is that since the thicknesser is under the planer. You have to kneel down to feed the timber in

Having two herniated discs myself I can empathise with your point.

On my workshop I solved this with a £19 foldable stool (that I also use in by my scroll saw and by my workbench when pairing dovetails). I can comfortably sit by the side of the machine, closer to the feed side and still safely catch the pieces on the outfeed.

Of course, with the caveat that I am a hobbyist. I don’t plane big pieces and don’t have much volume or space to justify investing on another machine.

 

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Thanks the kity looks very similar to my Hms 260.
On a cold winters night the thought of kneeling down and banging timber into the thicknesser doesn't enlighten me with wanting to do it..I thought the Axminster looked a bit flimsy but it weighs around 40kg so not to bad.
I find it hard to judge how much its going to plane off and and getting my head and eyes to see the dial which is not to accurate anyway