Stihl's are good, also tanaka, shindaiwa, red max and echo. Go with the one that you will have good dealer support for. Figure out if you like straight shaft or curved shaft. Decide if you need a brush cutter or not. Decide if you would like to run attachments with the unit.

jjjohnny -
You probably didn't intend for your post to get any chuckles, but I couldn't help it. I even sent a copy of your post to my wife this morning so she might see the error of her ways of ploppin' down on the couch all the time, and possibly get outside with nature...and help me some. :) Stihl and Echo won't steer you wrong.

I just bought one about a month ago, and after a lot of reading went with Echo over Stihl. I spent $200 though...

(not sure if she's worth that much ;) )

I've had my stihl for only one year but really like it. I have the L-cheapo model (FS 38) but like I said, it's more than good enough for any resdential lawn. I particularily like the string feed mechanism/loader.
Incedentliy, If I bought my wife one for mothers day she would beat me over the head with it. (I'm sure alot of guy's know what I mean)

Bought a new string trimmer yesterday... Read through different forums for recommendations and went with the Echo SRM-210.

Thoughts and lessons I learned...
- Straight shaft is better for taller individuals, and also easier to reach under obstacles (raised sheds, decks, etc.) Also will get you extremely dirty - my legs were covered in grass by the time I was finished.
- Curved shaft is more comfortable for those that are vertically challened (not short, just not as tall as taller folks)

My local dealer switched out the bump head and gave me the Rapid Loader 2-line head for an even exchange. This will allow you to use .10 sized line. The kit came with 4 pieces of line, 2 - .095 and 2 - .1. I loaded the smaller (.095) line for the first time using the trimmer. I finished the entire lawn and didn't have to change out the line once.

This trimmer is extreme compared to my Poulan (six years old, has been reliable, but never very strong) that actually has a larger engine. I never got to full throttle with the Echo while cutting, and really just didn't need to. I simply can't believe that I've waited this long to get it.

I did not go with the Stihl simply due to a few users reporting dissatisfaction with their trimmers. The Echo is considered commercial, and my dealer said most of his lawncare clients bought the 210 for the price point vs. $250-$400 for some of the upper end trimmers.

Prepare to pay $200 for it however, but I feel like this is an investment worth making.

I bought my Poulan 6 years ago for $80 and while it did get the job done, it always lacked in power and I was constantly replacing line. When I tried to add the gator head to the Poulan, it simply bogged down under the weight of the replacement head. There wasn't enough torque to get it up to speed. The curved shaft Echo (GT201 I believe) can be had for about $169 or so.

Good luck with your purchase.

-uproar90

"I never got to full throttle with the Echo while cutting, and really just didn't need to".
I have used ECHO trimmers for many years. My present one is the SRM-2601. When I spoke with the ECHO support people a while ago, the question of running speed came up. I was told that if you did not use full or almost full speed, especially in tall grass, it can burn out the automatic clutch. It is a centrifical clutch that will slip if the speed is to low, and a heavy load is put on the output. I just wanted to pass this on for thought. Good luck with your ECHO. It is a good product, and worth the money. Charles Ranheim

Thanks to all of you good folks for your input. After visiting the Stihl & Echo Dealers, I saw (2) products (from both) that I think might be better "long-term investments for us. I'm going to re-post a couple of questions and hope you will respond. Thanks again!

jjjohnny

Sorry for the confusion. Anyway, I saw the Stihl "Multi-task" (&) Echo "Pro-attachment Series" of products. Very cool.....very pricey! We could easily put to work, the "string trimmer", "articulating hedge clipper", & "tiller-cultivator". Total of all items from Stihl = $639.00 (&) Echo = $796.00. Echo appears to be better built. (Cast metal case v/s plastic) Etc. I like this concept because the storage factor is enhanced.

Questions:

Has anyone had experience with either of these (2) product lines?

Am I smarter to buy individual items with their own redundant power sources?

Is there really that much difference in reliability in these (2) brands?

We are not pro-landscapers, thus usage would not be that great. We also would treat either with the utmost respect, as we do all of our gear, by constantly maintaining.

What do you think?

PS: This could be the answer to Mother's Day gift selection for the next (3) years. Very practical, huh?

Thanks again,

jjj

thanks for this thread-I will show it to DH and see if he would consider me his mother! My kids are in college and string trimmer money seems to be going to them rather than from them. But I really want a chipper!

cranheim - thanks for the tip. Definitely something to remember.

jjjohnny - I also looked at the Echo attachment series, but for me it was just a matter of pricing. I needed/wanted a new trimmer and the attachment kit would have busted the budget. I particularly like the tiller and the edger attachments. The edger I've seen used and it just looks so much faster than walking behind a conventional edger. It probably takes a bit of use to perfect the method, but I think once you've got it down it is much faster. And then there are those who edge with the string trimmer... I usually use my 'dedicated' edger once a month, and then just keep the lines straight with the string trimmer after that.

Good luck with your choice.

-mike s.

I have had an Echo for about 12 years and it works just as well today as it did when it was new.

An endorsement for Stihl here!!! I have had mine for 15 years now and it is still going strong (knock on wood). I have used it quite heavily and have never babied it. I'm not sure of the model, but it has a curved shaft. I am in the market for a stick edger now and will definately be checking out Stihl first.

Todd

Just wanted to say thanks to uproar90. After reading his post, I took a serious look at the Echo SRM210. I ended up getting the SRM210i so it will be easier to start for my wife. Anyway, I am very happy with the trimmer, it is light and powerful, easy to start, very well made, much quieter than our old trimmer, and I really like the Rapid-Loader system. I feel it is the perfect size for the average homeowner. It's a bit pricey, but worth the money IMO.

Fiest of all, thanks to all for the valuable input. I wouldnÂt make a buying decision of this kind without first reaching out to the real experts, the users and professionals that inhabit this site.

You may think me a bit odd, but IÂve decided to go with both an Echo product and a Stihl product, as I believe they are probably very close in quality. HereÂs what I decided to buy:

I chose the Echo "Pro Attachment Series" to power a String Trimmer & an Articulating Hedge Clipper. I have 12Â hedges and this will work perfectly.

I also chose the Stihl "Yard Boss" to power a Tiller & Dethatcher. I felt both of these items would operate in a more stable way with the 2-hand operation (similar to a lawn mower) v/s the Echo, which operates (also 2-handed) like a weed-whacker.

I picked up the Stihl Tiller today for the MotherÂs Day gift. My wife loves her garden and will be thrilled to now till it with a machine. The other purchases will be stretched out over the next year.

Thanks again folks!

jjj