Alot of people like the Echo trimmers. There have been a few comments here regarding the Husky but I do not recall if they were good or bad.

Rather than buying from a box store I would recommend that you buy from a dealer. You'll get better up front service and you'll have a relationship with a shop in case you need help. You may spend a few extra bucks but it will be well worth it in the end. I am in your same area and enjoy much more going to the local dealers rather than fighting for parking and waiting in line at the box stores. I am not sure what part of NoVa but there is Belmont Power, Vienna Mower, Brandells. You can search for a dealer near you at Echo Dealer Locator.

Not to confuse you in your search but if you are open to other brands you should also consider Stihl and Shindaiwa. Tanaka and RedMax are also good brands but I was not able to find good dealer support for them here.

Good Luck.

Thanks. I do recall dropping by the F & J Small Engine dealership in Manassas, VA some years back, but recall being intimidated by their pricing, which struck me then as being significantly higher than box store pricing. Since that time, I have gone through 1 McCullough, 1 Ryobi, 1 Homelite and 1 WeedEater trimmer. The total I spent on these iffy brands is now more than what a commercial grade trimmer would have cost initially. There's a guy here (Yorkshire Mower) who tried to sell me a Kawasaki string trimmer for $350 and I thought that was overkill for my home use. My last major purchase was a Hustler ZTR lawn mower, which cost me a lot more than the box store John Deeres, and I've never been happier. So maybe its the same for trimmers - you get what you pay for. Thanks!

I would second buying from a dealer, I paid the same as home depot so it was a no brainer.

Also if a dealer is intimidating move on, they are supposed to earn their buisness.

I spent nearly $200 on a Ryobi a few years ago. It lasted a little over 1 season. I was mad that I essentially wasted that money when I could have bought a great commercial unit for a little bit more. Instead I am now out about $500 for my trimmer. I have a great trimmer, but it cost $200 more than it should have. I vowed to never run into that situation again. I'll buy what I need for the job and get it from a place that knows about their product. Now I go to Fischers Hardware in Springfield much more than the box stores. There is always someone there who can tell me about the products. They'll look in catalogs and place a special order for me too. Plus I can find someone to talk to within 2 minutes of getting there.

There are plenty of dealers in this area for the trimmers. Find one you like. I think you'll be glad you did business with them.

You have got to go two-stroke with a trimmer for reliablity.
After 20 years I am still using my $50 Ryan purchased from K-Mart, although a buddy recently gave me a Mitsubishi 365
Dual line trimmer that I am liking quite well.

Pardon me but I still don't get it.

Why is the Echo SRM260 with a smaller engine 120 dollars more expensive than the Husqvarna 125L with a bigger engine?

Here are the specs:

Echo SRM260
Displacement 25.4 CC
Price: $299.99

Husqvarna 125L
Displacement 28.0 cc
Price: $179.88 (at Sears)

The same ratio exists when comparing the SRM210 against the 123L.

Is Echo that much better than Husqvarna? Doesn't a bigger engine necessarily mean a more powerful, and therefore better, cut?

I work at a dealership that sells both Echo and Husqvarna, go with the Echo.

Look at the tag on the bottom of the Husqvarna, it says at the bottom, "DURABILITY PERIOD 50 HOUR"

Fish

I have bought all my lawn equipment from Dealers not box stores. Never had a problem. The price is always the same, and they usually thow in something when I just bought my 210 they gave my 2 lbs of line and switched the head out to the rapid load. I am almost certain HD won't do that. And If I didn't like the rapid load I could probably return it and them give my the other. Start a relationship with them and they will help you out when you need. The people I deal with are Lawn Power and Equipment in Montgomery, AL. They are great.
The Echo trimmer, 210 works great you won't be dissapointed. I'm not as sure about the rapid load, but I hate to restring. I got the .105 string and make it through one and a half trimmings on the yard.
good luck
Steve

I can't say the same about the Echo products, some people report getting 15+ years, but the SRM210 is very difficult to start. Mine worked for 4 years no problems, then it wouldnt start, I spent $60 and had the carburator rebuilt and the plug changed, it worked for a season. Then the next season I had the same tune up/cleaning done. It worked but had little torque and would bog down in 12" brush or weeds. Now, a season later, it wont start again.

Now, the small size chainsaw I bought for $199. It worked for 6 hours then wouldnt start. I took it to the authorized warranty dealer and Echo refused to pick up the repairs stating normal wear and tear, furthermore the unit was leaking the bar chain oil. I took it back to big orange and since I had it for more than 30 days they refused to take it back.
So I am done with Echo products, they charge too much for products and their warranty is worthless. BTW, just to let you know I have had lawnmowers for 16+ years that are working fine and I do regular preventive maintenance.

Leon You need to find a different dealer, that's a pile of bs about normal wear and tear after 6 hours. Just about every new Echo saw I've purchased I've had to take the limiter caps off and adjust richer thanks to Mr EPA. You very well could have toasted the piston and cylinder in 6 hours if it was running to lean. Another thing is ethonal, it makes it run even leaner and you need to add stabil or sea foam for storage. I live in Mn where I can still buy 92 octane with no alcohol and I add stabil also just to make sure it doesnt gum up in storage. Steve

well i'll tell ya this much,i was lookin for another weedeater and was going to go with what i've always used which is a t230 or t231 shin,but after reading these forums i decided on a echo 210.biggest mistake i ever made,have had it a week and used once on a small hillside with maybe a hours work and had problems with the head and carb in it surging so i took it back to be looked at and so far been 4 days in the shop and three days it was at home.it need another head and carb which they ordered but still its of no use to me and is costing me money from not having its use.next time i'll lision to myself and get what i know works and thats a shindaiwa.got two one is 3 years old and one 4 years old that have never seen the shop and never even needed a spark plug yet and run as new still and i use them at least 4 hours a day 5 days a week and the echo didnt make it one day..lol..spend the extra 100 bucks and get somethign that dont take up shop space..