For that money I'd go buy a new Dewalt DW735.

 

For 500 bucks you could have got a new planer.

 

I know there a lot of LJs on here that have had good luck with Hitachi tools. I haven't though. I bought a DW 735. Got a fantastic deal on the thing. I found a web site that had it for $375 and Lowes matches any price (plus a 10% discount). They didn't want to give me the discount….... and I didn't push it either. I was at the same Lowes last week and they had the 735 for $650. But you can find a nice planer for $500. I have a lot of Grizzly tools and love them. Good luck.
-JJ