I've always been a wheeled edger guy, relying on a series of Power Trim and McLane machines while living in the Los Angeles area, and now have a couple of commercial Little Wonder machines since I've been in New Jersey (since 2000). Unfortunately both Power Trim and Little Wonder are going to be beyond your budget, starting at about $600 and going to $900 with top-of-the-line Honda Gx120 engine.

However, I think a stick edger is the way to go, particularly if your going to use a string trimmer for other trimming operations. The Echo PAS is a good machine, and I've been using an older Echo SRM2100 for almost 15 years. It's similar to the SRM225/PAS225 but is strictly straight shaft with a manual feed head. I use it mostly for trimming, as I prefer to use the Little Wonder for edging. Has run with no problems since 2002, although I did upgrade to solid steel shaft (essentially SRM2300 running gear with 21cc engine).

I've never used the Edgit personally, but know a few professionals in central NJ and Bucks County, PA who have had experience, and do not think very highly of the attachment. They feel it's overrated and overpriced, and that it does not deliver the same type of "knife edge" but that a bladed edger does.

I think in your situation, either a dedicated "stick edger" or a multi attachment trimmer, such as the Echo PAS system would be best.

Thanks, I really appreciate the response!

I've also read some reviews online also making the same claim that the Edgit (or really the string for that matter) can't create as sharp of an edge as compared to a blade.

I guess I was just wondering whether or not the stick edger would be able to maintain all of the mulch beds as they're usually only advertised for edging along a concrete driveway/sidewalk?

If I use the stick edger for edging the sidewalk, driveway, and mulch beds, I'll probably only need the trimmer to lower the grass around the mulch beds or give the edges a beveled look. Almost seems like I don't even need it, which doesn't seem right!

I have a old MTD 3hp edger. It does the sidewalk like a Picasso. It also does the bed edging of the grass also. I see these all the time on Craig s list for under $100. And you can also get a trenching blade.

I do not know what McLane wants, but the old MTD looks like a McLane. I was given a PE225 it works well, but it does not go as deep as the MTD.

You have to make a decision. I think the price for the PE225 is what you want.

DO NOT BUY A RYOBI!

Echo makes a BRD bed shaper attachment for the Echo pas. You need to get a larger head (at least a pas-265) The whole set up is pricey but it will do exactly what you want. It also comes with the edger blade for your regular edging.

He does not want to spend over $300.