Hi Uncle Will,
I bought a Mantis a couple years back, and am really pleased with it for MY needs... what exactly are you needing it for? For me, the key issue was rock handling... I live in Jefferson County, MO where rocks seem to grow on a daily basis. My fear with most tillers was one hit on a big, buried rock and the blade would break. What I saw on the Mantis ads was that it would simply set the rock on the top of the soil... *riiiight* thinks I... BUT, second biggest selling point for me... there is a LIFETIME warrenty on the tines breaking. And they really DO replace them free... have friends with one and they broke a tine, stopped by a dealership and had a new tine in a few days.
I have been amazed at the size of rocks this thing can handle by just laying them on the surface. I was also surprised at the strain it puts on my shoulders/upper back when I am working with it. Yes, it is light... BUT you have to pull it towards you when working it. It is great for working in small or tight spaces... works great for the garden spot I have.... does NOT work to break up compacted bedding of hay/manure in the goat shed, whereas a large tiller likely would.
For what they advertise it as, I think it is a great piece of equipment. My dad borrowed mine, he is a suburbanite... and loved it so much he bought his own. (thankfully, so now mine is back home!) It will work to break up sod for a new garden spot, but it is very time consuming. To get 8 inches deep you have to pull it through the same spot 2 or 3 times.... but it IS dependable, excellent for rocky ground, smallish areas and for working in existing beds for weeding, etc. If you need to till an acre or tear out the bedding in a barn, go with a bigger model that moves forward, otherwise, try the Mantis... oh, they ALSO offer a one year no questions asked money back gurantee if you buy it direct from Mantis. Sure worth a try
Stephanie