Echo makes a big deal about all their engines being class 'A'as opposed to everyone else's class'C' but it boils down to marketing hype. These numbers indicate the number of hours the engine must run while meeting emission standards, they are not a measure of useful service life.
None the less, Echo is a very good product. Go with the one you are most comfortable with keeping in mind a good service dealer is more important than brand.

According to the spec, Maruyama BL3100 is the strongest with the biggest 2 cycle engine. Stihl BG86 is close second. Both are over $200.....just a little over. Echo is cheaper. I'll choose the first two over the Echo because they are stronger. If you going to get a hand held, get the strongest you can get because none are very strong. I have the Shindaiwa EB3410 34cc one. But because it is a C4 hybrid 4 cycle, I am not going to recommend it even I don't have problem so far.

I have a Maruyama BL3100 and am pleased with it, however the published CFM figures might be a little optimistic. I can't really say that it feels noticably more powerful than any other quality handheld blower. One good feature of the Stihl is that the air intake is on the left so it's not sucking in your pants when held in your right hand.

I bought a used Homelight hand-held blower, 2 cycle engine, at a yard sale, for $10! Been using it for at least 15 years! Starts every time, and is light weight.
then, last week, i saw the same type sitting out for the garbage, so i stopped and got it, too. Some fresh fuel, a couple primer pushes, and it was running! I used it today for my leaves.
I love free stuff! Don't have to ask which expensive model would be best!

I just bought the shredder/vac version of the Stihl BG86 earlier this year. I primarily use it as a blower, but it does both well. Similar to Echo's, the shredder version comes with a 3 wing shredder blade with serrated edges. Mine replaced a tired Echo that I bought at HD about 12 years ago. This has way more power than the Echo in my opinion. In the blower mode, I belive Stihl claims about 165 MPH with the round nozzle, and 190 for the flat nozzle. They also claim to have "cruise control" where you can lock the throttle at any speed, however I learned from Stihl that it only locks in the wide open position. You can still use the throttle trigger to run at any speed you want though. The thrust at wide open will make your arm tired after awhile. That's how strong it is. Another nice touch Stihl provides on the BG86 is a shock absorber system which keeps most of the vibration from the handle. When you're done, you don't have "nervous hand" from the high frequency vibes. The Echo left my hand twitchy everytime I used it. Also, with the shock system you can leave it idling on the sidewalk or driveway for a minute without it dancing all over the place. Echos are good, but their top engine for hand held blowers still doesn't compare to Stihl's. Stihl gets my vote.

Thanks for the comments. I decided to go with the Stihl. I've had very good experience with both my Stihl and Husky equipment and the closest OPE dealer carries Stihl. I might have given Maruyama a try (handheld looks powerful) but no dealers in the area (60 miles to one). I was going to get the BG86, but the dealer had run out. Instead he offered me a BG86C-E at the same price - sounded good to me.
Used it all day today - runs nice. I've never had a backpack so I can't compare, but the performance out of the BG86C-E was better than I had expected, it can move some leaves. No disappointment on performance.

Also, I'm right handed and intake is opposite my leg which is good. I switched over to my left to give my arm a break every once in a while, but you have to pay attention to not get it too close to your pant leg using it on the left. I think the ECHO has the intake on what would be the inside if I used it on my right side. I wouldn't want to fight that all day.

Semi-auto choke is nice but it does take a minute or two to warm up and with no choke, you get that lean running feel for a short time. No big deal, I assume that's there to assist with emissions compliance.

My right arm is a little sore, 9.7 lbs + any force does where on you some. If I was doing this for a living I'd definitely be using a backpack. But I'll be using this year round and getting out a backpack in the summer to blow clippings off my driveway and walks seems way overkill. Plus, I'm not moving the leaves across the entire lawn, just blowing out beds, off the driveway, etc. onto the lawn so I can pick up with my Cyclone Rake. I think it is going to work out very well.

I am starting to dislike my Shindaiwa EB3410 because it's intake is on the left so it will suck the pants on the right side. I never give it any thoughts until I read this.

Congrats on your purchase nysff! You won't be sorry. You brought up something I forgot to mention that was a selling point for me - the fan intake being on the right side of the machine, which makes it is right-hander friedly. I did notice that Echo has done something smart for their hand held blower only version. The fan intake is still on the left side, however it protrudes out farther from the case, and has openings around the side as well as the face. Now if it should come up against your leg, it has plenty of area to draw in air from the sides instead of attaching itself to your leg. A very clever yet simple solution. Mine, like yours also has the EZ-2 start spring system. I don't feel it to be that beneficial, and in fact kind of hard to get used to. I would have preferred to have gotten it without, but that's the only way the BG86 shred-vac version comes. You will really appreciate the anti-vibe system that helps protect your hand from the high frequency vibes. While the engine runs a little eratic at lower throttle speeds, it is as smooth as an electric wide open. I think you'll be very happy with your purchase. Enjoy!

My experience with unit so far sounds exactly the same. With the semi auto-choke, it prevents you throttling up with choke still on, so when it is cold, it takes a minute to two to even out. It does run a slight bit rough at part throttle, but full throttle its a smooth as glass. Anti-vibe is excellent, you feel the weight of course and some force, but almost no vibration at all.

Very impressive from an engineering standpoint to get that level of performance and have it so smooth and isolated from the user.