I've been using backpack and other pressurized sprayers for over 30 years, and presently own five sprayers. In the past, I have found Solo products to be the best out there, but recently broke away from that paradigm and tried the Chapin 62000 sprayer. Appreciating the Chapin's price was competitive with anything else out there in the same quality range, it has proven itself a best value. Pros include a super padded harness system, which buckles not only around one's waist, but also across the upper chest portion. The harness padding is thick, and generous in width too. An additional bonus is the padding which essentially covers one's complete back, thus providing a nice buffer between the sprayer tank and your back. This back padding is a real step forward over sprayers which allow your back to contact a wet sprayer or a sprayer just filled with cold water. This back padding also allows your back to breath, instead of building sweat directly onto a cold, non-porous tank. The folding handle is also a plus, but could be better as the amount of play in the folding mechanism is significant thus giving the pump handle a loose feeling when pumping. Its not a big deal...but could be improved. The included pressure gauge is a nice feature, as it the included pressure regulator. The cut-off valve is precise, with no (or at least very few) drops coming out after shut-off....a real bonus if applying herbicide in sensitive areas like nice lawns. The stand/base of this sprayer is substantial, allowing it to remain standing when filling...even if on slightly uneven ground. The entire plated metal frame is quality, as is the brass wand. The sprayer uses conventional spray tips...nothing proprietary. Last but not least, parts availability and customer service appear excellent...this lack of these last attributes is what prompted me to switch manufacturers in the first place! Cons are few - the somewhat sloppy pump handle is about it...and that con is a minor one if the folding handle is deemed desirable. In my case, the folding handle is a bonus allowing the sprayer to more conveniently fit into a car trunk, or to be hung on the shop wall without having a handle sticking out to whack you when you walk by it too close. Life is a series of compromises. A good indicator of sprayer quality is noting what sprayer tree nurseries, Christmas tree farms, and other resource professionals use. More and more of them are heading to Chapin. I liked this sprayer enough to subsequently purchase another as a gift. 3/16/2012 Addendum: This sprayer has now received plenty of use, and continues to perform admirably. Thanks to D. Davis, I add the following: this Chapin 62000 uses a piston pump, versus a diaphram pump. Pros and cons to both... The piston pump is a bit less initial cost, lasts WAY longer, develops higher operating PSI's, and is simple to maintain. The piston pump however, is not recommended for spraying more abrasive wettable powders and/or truly viscous fluids. Having said that, I have sprayed lots of wettable powder mixes through my 25+ year old Solo's and have yet to replace a piston ring. The advantage of being able to develop higher PSI's, and proportionately increase spray distances is a BIG bonus if spraying out into ponds, or high into trees. Heck, with using a single jet stream, I can spray almost 75' but do so at the risk of bursting spray lines off of their fittings! I'm a piston pump guy, who has not purchased a second diaphram pump sprayer since my initial diaphram pump purchase.
