Purchased the No Crank Hose Reel (model called "Crate") at the local Lowe's in the summer of 2007, along with a suitable length of new hose and for the first year it worked great, performing as advertised.
After one year of service, the No Crank Hose Reel ceased pulling the hose back on the reel, and I had to open the top and slowly push the reel to assist in the mechanism rewinding the hose. Most embarrassing as the neighbors observe all goings on in the garden, and I had previously recommended this item to several neighbors and friends.
After about 4 months of inferior performance, I disassembled the unit and discovered that the O-rings that are an integral part of the valve mechanism are torn. That's a faulty design of the product, and I cannot get the unit to work unless the O-rings seal tightly against the valve housing, but due to the way the unit is engineered the O-rings tear against the edge of the valve ports every time the "rewind" mechanism is engaged.
I went online and contacted the company about this problem and was gratified to find that they will ship replacement parts for free, just add a check or money order for $5.00 to cover shipping. That order and check left here on November 1, 2008, and the company cashed my check one week later. Now it's the end of the year, almost two whole months after ordering the replacement parts to make this defective device work as it should, but I am still waiting for ANY contact from the company, or for the replacement part to arrive.
I cannot recommend this brand based upon the short duration of satisfactory service and the non-responsive product service follow-up shown by No-Crank Hose Reels.
Maybe I can sell this defective product at a garage sale and get at least a few dollars back... This No Crank Hose Reel has represented nothing but frustration to me since it's stopped working.

We gave this a try for about a month. We found the Crank Crate cumbersome and heavy. It also seized up in cold weather so we would not recommend this product. Our neighbors have one where the hose is exposed and is on substantial wheels - a much better design for mobility.

Our hose actually gets put up now! I bought one for my parents for Christmas, too. We have been really happy with it. We you it with a NeverKink hose, and have had no problems in the year we have had it.

This hose reel brings the joy back to watering.Set up is easy and using it takes the drudgery out rewinding by hand and saves alot of time.Your hose is never twisted and tangled. I currently own three.Can't live without one now.

one does have to guide it in a little bit if a lot of hose is out, and needs room for the water run off