I think Echo will have the advantage in durabilty and realiabity as they don't make any low grade machines, Stihl does but also makes real good machines that cost a LOT. Far as power Echo should have more cc for cc compared to Stihl's lower priced machines. In chainsaws Echo is way ahead of homeowner Stihl's, not all Stihl's are created equal, Echo's are. Steve

Thanks for the info. I guess that pretty well decides it for me. I'm looking to get something that will last at least 10 yrs. Once I go to the trouble of figuring out how to repair & service something, I want to keep it for a while.

A follow up. I bought the Echo PAS 225 VBP. The first time I used it, I tried to do the edging with the trimmer. I won't do that again. It wore my arms out, and the results weren't that good, which I attribute to the operator. So I picked up an edger attachment. Also, during this first use, I was a bit unhappy with how the engine ran. It seemed to be running too lean. It hesitated every time I "punched" the throttle. And it became VERY hesitant to get to full throttle. I used it again today, and it ran flawlessly. I guess it just needed a bit more breaking in. The edger also worked MUCH better than using the trimmer head on its side The guys who do this every day can probably get just as good results either way, but I do much better with the edger. I'm happy with it now, and I'm happy with my decision to go with the Echo.

"I'd prefer to get a multi attachment system"...I'd reconsider this. The multi-attachment systems aren't really cost-effective if you do the math.

""I'd prefer to get a multi attachment system"...I'd reconsider this. The multi-attachment systems aren't really cost-effective if you do the math."

I did the math. That's one reason I went with an attachment system. I bought the PAS-225VPB and an edger attachment. Buying 3 separate tools of similar capacity would have cost another $230.

The other reasons were:
- One engine to maintain instead of three.
- One cold engine to get running on "yard work day" instead of three.
- One tank of premix to use up before it gets old instead of three.
- This current setup takes up less room than three complete tools.

I tend to over-analyze any purchasing decision. Drives my wife crazy. What did I miss?

I'm a professional landscaper and my two cents are: Our local Echo dealer is cheaper and easier to deal with than our huge local stihl dealer. That being said, my opinion is that echo weed wackers are the absolute worst choice, while the Stihl FS90R is the best weed wacker I've ever used outside of the old Shindaiwa before Echo took them over. Never liked echo weed wackers. We like to remove the guards and prefer the style where you can slide the guard up and down the shaft vs. being fixed. I've never used Stihl split shaft but am in the market. Used Echo and actually had decent luck with them. I like the fact that Stihl has carb screws still though!! I use my HT attachment and chainsaw attachment mostly. I would never use a weed wacker attachment just because I don't believe Echo makes a decent ww. After reading your analysis though, I think I'm going to stick w Echo split shaft vs. moving to Stihl. Though I am going to buy another FS90R!!

I'm a professional landscaper and my two cents are: Our local Echo dealer is cheaper and easier to deal with than our huge local stihl dealer. That being said, my opinion is that echo weed wackers are the absolute worst choice, while the Stihl FS90R is the best weed wacker I've ever used outside of the old Shindaiwa before Echo took them over. Never liked echo weed wackers. We like to remove the guards and prefer the style where you can slide the guard up and down the shaft vs. being fixed. I've never used Stihl split shaft but am in the market. Used Echo and actually had decent luck with them. I like the fact that Stihl has carb screws still though!! I use my HT attachment and chainsaw attachment mostly. I would never use a weed wacker attachment just because I don't believe Echo makes a decent ww. After reading your analysis though, I think I'm going to stick w Echo split shaft vs. moving to Stihl. Though I am going to buy another FS90R!!

Echo makes mostly only good high quality tools while Stihl makes both high quality and low quality junk

2015 and here come Echo with their 58 volt cordless machines. I bought the trimmer to replace my Stihl fs85x. It works well for me. I only have a front yard, about an acre in size, and have 1/4 battery left when done usually. I find the 58v so powerful I just use the low energy setting. At that energy rate it is plenty violent to destroy heavy weeds. It uses .095 line and has grease fittings in the head for long term maintenance. It turns out it is compatible with the echo PAS professional attachment system, but one caution on their website says only the trimmer head has been rated by UL laboratories. The blower, hedger, yard broom, dethatcher and others have not at this time.

I've replaced a coil in a echo trimmer and it cost 70 dollars which is outrageous when a coil in a stihl is 18 dollars. That alone will keep me away from echo, and how often do coils go, I have so far replaced two. There electrical made in China, enough said.

I buy my Stihl parts from China. Chainsaw, polesaw, 14 demolition saw, FS85x weedeater, hand held blower, back pack blower, auger. Soo tired of replacing cardboard gaskets on the carbs. Somebody should change that material so it doesnt vacuum leak with available gas. I don't care to repeat what I saw old men do with the old leaded gas equipment, hoarding additives. In this case they are already selling alchohl free fuel. But its all a problem with cardboard seals. The further I get from petrol the less work I am doing to upkeep them.