The Earlex 5500 performs well for its price. Once I purchased a 1.0 mm needle (the 2.0 and 1.5 mm needles are too large for my work) the results were great, and I have already finished two guitars with great results. Now for the down side: photos of the 5500 show a compact unit with handle. But, the handle seen on the photos is longer than the one on the unit I received. Why is that a problem? When the gun is stowed, it just barely fits beneath the handle. In fact, I have to finagle it in there. There is not enough room between the top of the gun and the bottom of the handle to fit my hand, making it hard to carry. And every time I take the gun out, it scrapes against the handle which comes apart. This may seem like a small thing, but the unit depicted and the unit I received are not the same, and the difference in the two creates problems. Overall though, I like the Earlex 5500. I just wish it came is pictured!