I can't help. I'm currently working on the same mantis vs. honda decision as you. Hope some folks help us out!

My recommendation is to choose the Mantis tiller with the commercial quality 2 stroke Echo engine.

I have nothing against 4 strokes in larger applications, or with something I use everyday. But overall, I think you will be much happier with the Mantis 2 stroke. You simply use it, put it away, use it, put it away, etc....No need to change the oil regularly, you get the idea.

In addition, you will get more HP per cc with a two-stroke. Fortunately, I have standardized on Echo. My Mantis, Echo blower, and Echo trimmer all use the exact same mix, same spark plugs, etc. I simply use them and put them away. Every once in a while, I'll check the filters and change the spark plugs...that's it!!!

Recently got the Mantis 7260E with Honda 4-stroke to replace my old Mantis 2-stroke. I was very disappointed with the overall performance of the old 2-stroke and meant to return it but I got caught-up in a move and career change and let the return period lapse. Since I had several Mantis attachments I went back to Mantis but with the Honda engine. Experience so far - GREAT!! I gotta say that I would not be afraid of the new Mantis with the Echo 21.2cc engine as it is a proven performer.

I have the Mantis tiller with the hedger attachment, have it for ten years and love it.never failed me once,in fact I used it today to hedge my White Birch,flowering cherry and Plum tree. Great decision I made neve regreted it. Echo engine is a dream.

----------------------------------------------------------
This is a letter sent to Honda Public Relations. Am awaiting a reply. In the meantime I am without the rototiller, and could use it for preparation of the garden bed for 2008 (25 September 2007)

25 September 2007

Honda Canada Inc.
Power Equipment Public Relations
715 Milner Avenue
Toronto, ON M1B 2K8

Dear Sir:

Subject: Honda FG110 Rototiller. Claim for Warranty Service.

19 September 2007

I purchased the Honda FG110 Rototiller on 4 April 2006 from Brant Tractor Ltd, Brantford, Ontario. It worked until three days ago, but had been losing driving power the last few times it was used. I assumed there was something wrong with the engine, which was beyond my capabilities. It has performed well over the last year, used intermittently as required. I took it to the Farm Service Depot where it was purchased and was informed today that the Engine is finished. This unit was serviced very carefully, over the last year. Oil changes and air filter were cleaned religiously. The transmission was greased on a regular basis.

I pointed out to the Service People that the engine warranty was for two years. The Service Depot did not volunteer this two year warranty information, which surprised me. The information about the warranty is in the Owners' Manual on Page 38.They told me they would contact Honda and let me know the decision.

I truly love the little unit, and simply cannot garden without it. It has become my most useful garden tool. But I certainly expect it to last more than two seasons. I hope the problem was just an inherently faulty engine, and is not representative of the FG110.

Update 21 September 2007 Honda FG110 Warranty Issue.

I visited the Service Depot (Brant Tractor LTD) today where the Honda FG110 was purchased and was talking to the lady who had called Honda. The Lady told me there was no oil in the unit, and this was passed on to Honda. The Honda Representative told her it probably wouldnt be covered under Warranty. She had just got off the phone when I visited.

I told the lady she had bad information. I had just changed the oil two days before taking it in for service, and had run the engine for about 10 minutes. After discussing it for awhile the lady talked to the person, who had inspected the unit. Then it came out that there was plenty of oil but that it was grey in colour. I had noticed this gray colour, since I had run the unit for about 10 minutes after changing the oil (10W30, which I always used. What caused the new oil to change colour to grey, after only about 10 minutes of running?

Now the Service Manger is going to contact Honda again. Unfortunately, Honda now has the mis-information that the unit had no oil, and this obstacle will have to be overcome.

Update 21 September 2007 Afternoon.

I decided to call Honda ( 1-800 946 6329 ) to correct the mis-information that was given by the Farm Service Depot; in that the engine lacked oil.

After explaining the issue, the lady (Jennifer) informed me that I had to have proof of oil changes. I told her that I did the oil changes myself, but she was insistent that I had to have documents. I told her proof of oil changes was irrational, and I told her it wasn't an automobile and to give me her supervisor. She put me on hold and came back after few minutes and told me she would contact the dealer and would get back to me. That is where the warranty issue remains for now.

25 September 2007 I called Honda again today, since I hadnÂt heard from Honda, which is probably normal since only two working days have passed.
The thrust of the conversation was that Honda (Jennifer) would call me, and that I should contact the dealer, Brant Tractor Ltd, to clarify what information they passed onto Honda.

25 September 2007 I contacted Brant Tractor Ltd.

The thrust of this conversation was that they had informed Honda that the oil was grey with filings, and that the air filter had been oil around the carburetor, sort of indicating that maintenance had been done. This means the previous mis-information has been corrected at least on the surface. The engine has not been taken apart so the damage or reason for cannot be ascertained. The general view seems to be a mindset that the engine may have lacked oil. This is simply not the situation, but never has the engine been low on oil, and all maintenance has been done far more than recommended. The oil was changed by me almost every time, that I filled the gas tank. Far more than the 50 hour running time recommended.

I have three Honda Engines in my collection. A weedwacker, a lawnmower, and the rototiller. I buy Honda, sometimes at a higher cost, since I have confidence in their equipment, engines in particular. I also have an old Briggs and Stratton on my old large rototiller, plus a Yard Machine Chipper. I do the maintenance on all my garden equipment.

There has to be something inherently wrong with the Engine on my FG110 rototiller, and it has nothing to do with maintenance. Never have I tried to claim on a Warranty. I feel so strongly about this warranty claim that I will only accept a replacement engine. The obstacle put up by the Hondo people about having proof of maintenance is illogical on such a small unit. The only proof I have is seven cans left in the box of 12 cans of oil (10W 30) that I purchase in bulk as required to service my yard engines. The only thing I can offer about oil changes is a sworn document signed by a notary, that I did the oil changes, which seems to be a bit ridiculous.

I would like you to review this Hondo FG 110 Rototiller Warranty issue and decide in my favor.

Details of the Equipment.

Honda Mini-tiller FG110
Serial Number FAAA-1055259
Model 110G FN
Purchased from:
Brant Tractor Ltd
1324 Colbourne St W
R.R. #4, Brantford, Ontario N3T 5L7
Phone 519 449 2500
branttractor@sympatico.ca
Date of Purchase 4 April 2006.

http://www.durgan.org/Blog/Durgan.html

Durgan - Ontario, Canada Zone "5"

Honda 18 October 2007. Honda and the Dealer came through and honoured the warranty. I pick up a new Honda FG110 tomorrow morning. They finally came around to my line of thinking. I finally convinced them that the maintenance was done religiously on the machine.
I suppose they have to be hard on people claiming warranty, but it was annoying at the time.

In the interval I was looking around to buy another FG110; in spite, of all my travails. I have about half an acre of gardens and simply cannot live without this little marvel.The two seasons I had the FG110 made gardening a total joy.

I was looking at Mantis with a Honda engine, and almost bought one, except I found they have two Honda four stroke engines on the Mantis. One is 25 CC at 1 HP, and the other is 31 CC at 1.5 HP. The Mantis 7260 is 31 CC and the 7261 is 25 CC. I would not buy a 25 CC engine on a rototiller. And the 31 CC engine is hard to find on the internet.I don't want any two strokes on my property. Fortunately Honda came through before I made the purchase.

Thank your, Honda.

Durgan

I have owned the Honda for about a year and prior to that had a Mantis 2-stroke for almost 15 years. Not enough time with the Honda to compare reliabilty (no problems so far), but in terms of ease of use, starting and overall impression of quality, there is no contest. The honda is a much better machine. The Mantis is seems crude in comparison. Especially for starting, even when relatively new, the Mantis was always a pain. Everything had to be JUST right and that usually included fiddling with the mixture screws at least once a season. I'm still somewhat blown away by how easily the honda starts. It is also remarkably quiet. It has every bit as much power as the mantis. It's tines are also easier to clear of roots and debri than the Mantis.