Yeah, it's pricey and overpriced. I base that on the fact that I can only guess it costs less than $10 to produce.
I've had one for almost exactly one year. It's very well made, and so far has worn like iron.
The major benefit is that it's twice as good and twice as fast as a manual brushing. For me, it's also way faster than dragging out my canister vacuum.
I now shoot c. 10 racks/day, and use it maybe every 2 to 3 days. With the canister vacuum, I probably let it go for at least one week or more due to setup time, dragging the cord around, etc.
The true test, of course, is how much chalk will be apparent after a cloth replacement. I don't doubt my vacuum most likely got rid of perhaps a bit more residue, but the X-1 is doing a great job and certainly is convenient.
Whichever I used on the bed, I always used a high quality microfiber cloth for the cushions and beneath the cushions. Probably ten seconds/cushion and easier than a crevice tool.
As for the X1, I gently swish it in wide arcs or tiny circles depending on where I'm at on the table. It's so easy that I don't do the final "dressing" of the nap from head to foot. I have noticed no improvement or degradation of ball roll in doing so.
It's also quite good at the rack area. I just shoot straight and always roll the balls into position, but knuckling the rack will eventually leave ball position marks. So far in the first year for both my new cloth and the tool, it's done a good job of removing these marks and very, very light, sort of semi burn marks. Actually, more aptly put, it "fluffs up" the weave in trouble areas.
So it's a luxury item of sorts. It's also so easy to use, that I thought it was a good investment, and a year later I still maintain that opinion.
I'm getting ready to have new rubber and cloth put on and I'm starting to think BLUE. I'm not sure which way to go and I'm wondering, although I think I know, what the AZB community thinks but tell me. Thanks in advance ... :smile:
