I have always been, and always will be, on team real tree.  But, we needed a solution.  This works.  Watch the online video and follow the instructions for unpacking and fluffing.  Inner needles are bulky and less realistic, outer needles are more detailed and realistic.  I wish it had more lights.  I was comparing this to what appeared to be the same tree with 700 lights vs. 600 lights, and chose this one because it had significantly more tips.  All in all, very happy with my first fake tree.