The gas ones will be much more powerful than your electric. Heavier line is .095, the heaviest is .105 and .130. They also make heads with plastic blades and with precut lines you insert as needed. Get to your local power equipment dealer to check them out. Stihl, Echo, Shindaiwa, etc. Expect to pay $150-$300 for a good trimmer.

When my Craftsman electric trimmer died early this past summer, I went out and got a Stihl FS 45 gas trimmer...paid about $150 for it. I don't miss the cord issue and this Stihl is a nice trimmer. Echo makes a fine one too...spend the money and get a good trimmer from a local dealer who will treat you right.

I would recommend an Echo if you want to spend some money, but I should note that I have been using a Craftsman (rd: Weedeater) for almost 10 years now with no issues. You can get one of those for around $100. Get the service plan and you're good to go. If it doesn't break within 2 years it won't break for a nice long time, and if it does break within 2 years they fix it/replace it.

Regardless it seems your biggest issue is your choice of line. What you want to do is go with the biggest line that gives you a satisfactory cut. The larger the line, the easier it is to scalp and the harder it is to get a fine/even cut. So what that means is that the more experienced you are, the larger the line you can run. I run 0.130 around ponds cutting through thick grass, small (1/8") alders, light rasberry bushes and cat tails and then I use 0.095 for "regular" trimmer uses like around the house and in the yard. I never use smaller than 0.095 because it just doesn't last, one hit to a rasberry bush and it's gone.

Perhaps, you might have to address the reason why your string is being damaged so quickly. If your string is hitting cement or rough rocks constantly, then your string will be depleted regardless of whether you have a bump head or not. Of course, the bump head will be more convenient in terms of advancing the string - and yes they work great :P.

I know there are a lot of good to great trimmers out there. I agree with masiman and suggest heading to your local power equipment store. I've had really good interactions with a local shop. They primarily sell to the "pros" and have a pretty good idea of how long something will last and can fix it if you need it. I ended up with a Shindaiwa (4 years old now) and wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING. The trimmer starts on 2 pulls and runs beautifully. However, owners of other brands (Stihl, Echo, Redmax, etc.) will likely say the same thing about theirs.

I have two of the Echo SRM2400 straight shaft trimmers and they perform well. I also have an Echo SRM200BE which was one of the first straight shaft trimmers from around 1985 and it still starts on the third pull. I would suggest that you get one that has good dealer support. Something thats light and has a long reach to get under things. If you have been using a curved shaft trimmer, you wont miss it.

For the string, go with .095 or larger and you wont use as much of it around poles and fences.

Good luck,
Bob.

I've got a Stihl FS250 with a blade and a string head. I Love it. And the nicest feature is: my wife wanted to "try" it one day. I adjusted everything to fit her, showed her how to start it, and put her in a corner of the fenceline where there was some easy cutting. I had to go pick something up, so told her just to wait until I got back and I'd help her. When I got back, she had got the thing going and had the whole fence line cut and started on the road bank. Guess it takes a Stihl............
Anyway, you'd probably be satisfied with the FS55 (straight shaft, blade or string head for around $200-250?) or the FS45 (bent shaft, string for around $150?). OTH, I have a weedeater string model that I paid about70 bucks for around 10 years ago that still works great. Bump string advance, and super easy to restring. I bought a replacement spool once before I figured out that you could buy bulk string. Now, I have a roll of bulk that is two sizes too big for this model that wears quite a bit longer (just trim the end down a little to fit the starter hole).
If you at least passively maintain it, anything you get should do OK.

Good Luck,

Dave

IMO if you can do minor repairs and understand simple mechinic's I suggest you look on ebay first. If you are not afraid to buy sliglty used or used you can save at least half if not 2/3rds vs new. This include all brands.

A few suggetions if you decide to look on ebay: know how much the model your looking at costs new. Read the shipping costs, this will drive the low bid up sometimes to not make it worth while. Watch the item first and review the sellers record and ratings.

I got a reconditioned MTD conv. $200 4 stroke for 19 bucks plus $30 shipping. I also got a 25CC two stroke for 6.99 with 40 dollar shipping charge. Two stroke had a broken rope and a recoil spring design problem, which I fixed for nothing. and the 4 stroke runs and looks like new. I will never pay full price for a weedeater again with hundreds for 1/4th the cost of new.

Yes, there are alot of Stihl, Echo, Shindaiwa, and others. But, most of them aution for usually between $80 to $200 plus shipping. a noticeable savings from new on some models. Again if you can do minor repairs then they maybe a good deal, if you have trouble mixing gas then a new one with dealer support would be a good idea.

bheron, if you're still there, you might think seriously about rcmoser's suggestion. I wish I had added that to my original reply! :) When I purchased my trimmer, it was my first 2-cycle purchase (I made 1 other later). I did not know a thing about 2 cycles. But, with time, the help of forums like this one, and coming to know people with considerable small engine experience, I *probably* have enough knowledge to buy used and fix some minor problems that often drive a lot of homeowners to dump their purchases long before their life expectancy is exceeded. So far, knock on wood, my garden equip have worked great with no problems. But, in other's equipment, I've seen plugged gas lines (3), fouled plugs (2), and stale gas. All easy fixes.

So, if you would like/need to save $, then it might be worth a shot.

I just bought a Stihl FS45 the weekend before last. I had been using a weedeater brand trimmer I had purchased at walmart over 10 years ago. It worked but had very little power and would bog down quite often. I couldn't cut through anything hardly. It was their lowest level gas trimmer, a GTI 15 or maybe a GT 15. I purchased a Stihl chainsaw in March and was so impressed I decided to try one of their trimmers. I paid just under 150 bucks including tax. What a difference!!! This thing starts easy and has more power than I know what to do with. I've used it quite a bit already and don't see myself buying another trimmer for a long time. When I do, I'm sure it will be a Stihl. Good luck and let us know what you end up with. Greg

Greg, your old one probably needs decarbonized (muffler cleaned out, head dome and piston cleaned off) Homelite brand (who every makes them if that's the kind you got) are very easy to take apart and clean up. Unless the needle bearing on the connecting rod are shot there is really nothing else than can wear out under normal conditions (gas mix was mixed right). IMO 95% of the time they just need cleaning. Anyway it's nice to have a new one you don't have to mess with for a few years.

RCM, You are probabaly right. I treated that thing poorly to say the least. There is no telling how long I left gas in it etc. I did absolutely no maintenance work to it or anything. The only thing I did right was mix the gas correctly. I'm lucky it lasted as long as it did. The final straw was having the pull string break when I was 40 miles from home and needed it. Anyway, I was lucky enough to get a new one. The shop where I bought my chainsaw was less than 10 miles away. I called him and he had it ready once I walked in the door. With all the yardwork I've done the last 2 weekends I'm 5 dollars short of having it paid for. And, I've got one of work this weekend coming up. Looks like I'll come out alright and have a piece of equipment I can use for years to come. I'm much wiser on care of my equipment now. There is no telling how long this thing will last. See ya, Greg