String trimmers

Comment:

I read all these reviews and decided that I would give it a try since CR staff gave it such high marks. I've had it for two hours and I'm taking it back. <br /><br />For my purposes, the head design is a total fail. I have used gas trimmers with the slam-n-feed head before and while they are usually very sturdy, I hate messing with the spool of line that always seems to get jammed up and always requires 30-40 minutes down time just to get everything happy and fed properly through the slots. <br /><br />That's why I thought this design would work out ok - no messing with the spool = less swearing and frustration for me. While the line replacement is really easy, it's also an almost constant disturbance. I used this thing for under an hour and I saved up 22 little bits of line ends. That means I had to stop at least 11 times to change out the line. In some cases, I had to stop less than a minute after I started up again. While I'm not as bummed out about the AMOUNT of line this system wastes as some people are - the amount of time I spent putting new pieces of line in is a real problem. I even bought higher gauge line - .095 - (and cut it down to 7-inch lengths to fit) in the hopes it would last longer. Nope.<br /><br />While I am not using the trimmer to clear brush or excessively thick weeds, I am using it in a desert area that is uneven and has a lot of rocks, dead stumps, etc. So with an automatic feed trimmer, I'd probably be going through a lot of line as well, I understand that. We aren't all using these things to trim golf courses and I would expect the manufacturers to know that.<br /><br />To illustrate this problem, think about how many times you normally have to bump your trimmer on the ground to feed new line when you're working in an area that isn't level, and when you are trimming stuff other than grass and small weeds. NOW translate that into having to stop what you're doing, get out your leatherman to pull tiny bits of line out of the head, fish around in your pocket for two more bits of line, shove them into the head and get going again. . . . <br /><br />While the unit itself runs like a charm - started up immediately and is very easy to handle, this head design is completely inappropriate for the amount of power this thing has. I'll probably get another Echo, but I think the next one up is over $200, kind of a bummer for me.

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Bottom Line

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

Comment:

Use this tool to trim my lawn wach week. Starts up first pull each time, never has broke down, well balanced and fuel efficient. Runs on any type gas fresh or old. The string installs fast and easy no winding of string to a spool or the hassle of replacing a spool of string. Have owned 8 years with absouetly no problems - highly recommend.

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.

Comment:

I like this trimmer so well, I now have 2 of them. One at home and one for the cabin. It is imperative to keep all filters clean and accumulation of debris from cooling fins. I can't believe how good it is in cutting doen light brush, tall weeds, edging in lawn areas! I only use Echo oil mixture (Has gas preservative in it) and regular gas. I've had one for 7 years and it still starts on the second pull! I'm a bit of a tightwad and often leave gas in the one at the cabin for several months..no problem. Even when it's cold and I use it to clear snow from the d'way, it doesn't complain. 9All my blowers are Echo as well.) It's a great product compared to the others and I've tried them too.

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.