I bought one back in the 90's (chef's choice) thinking the same thing and I was not that crazy about it. I do have a buddy that likes them but he can't sharpen with stones and when he wants something sharp he gets me to do it.
As I recall I played with the thing a good bit and was never all that satisfied with the edges I got. It was never "a couple of quick passes". I suppose it is possible I expected too much because they marketed it as something that could put a "razor" edge on a knife. Never got one.
