Straight trimmer is a lot better on your back. For your hight, you better get the commercial ones that are longer. I am a lot shorter than you and I need to use a longer trimmer than those TroyBilt or Craftsman.

What kind of budge are you looking at. Do a search on this forum, there are plenty of suggestion. The cheapest good one is Echo SRM210S with auto feed head. It is about $209. in Home Depot and OSH.

Typically the curved shafts will be lighter, but that may be more from the smaller engines and some other parts that are not as durable (I think they use bushings instead of bearings on the shaft).

The straight shaft will get under low things better and is easier to edge with.

Count on spending $200-300 depending on what you get. I'd recommend a lawn equipment dealer over a big box store. You should get better service and support (there are always the bad apples).

yungman's Echo rec is a good one, other manufacturer's are Stihl, Shindaiwa, Tanaka, Redmax. There are others, but go with something that has good support. A good harness makes the trimming easier (not just a shoulder strap but one that fits on like suspenders). Hearing protection (maybe even work tunes) and glasses with long pants and decent shoes and you will be all set. I wear a helmet but that is because it is a forestry helmet with screen and hearing.

Thanks for the info. Another question--are there options on how the line feeds? I have seen some that are automatic feed (which sounds appealing, but my dad has had trouble with his Black & Decker auto feed--doesn't feed well), then the traditional bump feed, and I have seen some with a fixed line that just wears out I guess and is replaced. Any recommendations or even options on the nicer models you mention above?

I meant bump feed head. You tap on the ground while reving the engine.

What is your price range? That is about the most important question!!!

Most of the cheap brands don't feed that well even the bump heads.

I'd say price range is around $200. Would like to spend less, but willing pay that to get something reliable if needed. Will $200 get me there? I see mention of "200-300" in one response.

Tanaka makes a long shaft trimmer for tall folks. I haven't used that model but their other stuff is good. Probably looking more in the $300 range for that one. Curved shaft trimmers spin clockwise when looking down on them, straight shafts spin counterclockwise. Makes a difference if you hold it right or left handed, trim on the right or left, walk forward or backwards. Lots of different trimming styles out there.

The head is another reason to go to a dealer. They should let you try them out. Also they should be able to get you the trimmer and head you want. It might cost a little bit to get a different head or it may not. But in the end, you are far more likely to get want you want from a dealer.

If you plan on staying in this house and not owning more land in the future, stay in the $2-300 dollar range. If you think you will be moving someplace that would have more use for the trimmer and brushcutting, buy a bigger unit now with an eye toward what you will be able to get support for. I think Echo and Stihl would be the most likely to have dedicated support available. Some of the really good brands out there are somewhat regional in their availability and support.

Take a visit to a dealer or two and you'll get an idea of where you want to do business.

At 6' 1", I have a straight shaft trimmer, actual 2. I have an Echo and I have a Stihl with the handle bar grips.

I prefer the handle bar grips without question. Paid a little over $200.00 three years ago. Bought it at a dealer's.

Dealer let me try several out. So I definitely recommend shopping at a dealer.

Enjoy the journey.
eal51 in western CT

For $200 Echo SRM210 is your best bet.

I would spent a little more. You might get brands like Tanaka, Kawasaki for $260 or so. Amazon sell Tanaka. I have very very good experience with Amazon. I bought my tiller with them. I have some problem and they ship me a new one. Kawasaki have a lot of online store too.

Hate to be different with most of the people here. I prefer not to buy it in dealer. They are for pros that want fast turn around for business. They charge a lot for service. I had bad experience with them. I read a lot on the forums that they usually try to not honor warrante and claimed old gas or your fault. This happened to me and want to charge me $150 for a 9 months old Honda trimmer. If you are a pro, you might have to put up with them. If you are a home owner, you might as well take a chance and get better price with other ways.

Wisesales have good price and they sell Tanaka. Don't buy Echo online. I wrote to Echo and they said they don't honor warrante on online sales!!!
http://www.wisesales.com/string_trimmers.html

If you buy the $200 Echo in Home Depot, use until if croke and buy a new one. If you bring back to the dealer for repair, you might have to pay $100 and get back your old trimmer!!!

Lowes sell Husqvarna 125 for $199. You can buy extended warrante on it. That is a good one too.

Sorry guys that I say bad thing about dealers. This is my experience and I did read about it that dealer almost always charge for repair. LCO just are more than happy to pay for the service. THis don't apply to home owners. I have nothing but good experience with online place like Amazon and Mantis direct. I can't say enough good thing about them.

I know this is an old post, but I am also looking for a weedeater and I am curious as what best fits, a straight or curved shaft? Let me explain, i cut a cementary for my church, so this would have to be able to cut a grass bank as well as around the graves! What would be best curved or straight?