Echo String Trimmer purchase advice

[JeepHead]

I think Echo makes the best small engine tools out there. If you haven't tried one of their chainsaws, you'll be surprised at how nice they are. I have two Husqvarna's and 3 Stihls that I never use anymore after getting my Echo chainsaw.

They do make great chainsaws but not every one they make is great. I am not a fan boy to any specific brand, I have great saws from Echo, Husky, Stihl, Makita, and Dolmar. I like specific models from many different brands. One of my favorite size of a saw is the 50cc because it's a good size for so many things. I own the Stihl 261, 026 Pro, the Husqvarna 550, the Dolmar 5105, Echo 4910, and the Makita EA5000. I may be forgetting a couple others. The Echo 4910, which is modded a bit, is by far my favorite of the lineup. I would say the Husky 550 comes next and the others are just mixed in. I will say that I am rarely ever impressed by any of today's Stihl offerings. Although, the 400 has peaked my interest.

 

[subhunter]

I had a great Dolmar dealer. I bought two 5100's and two 5105's from him. I really wish I had bought a 6400. I was able to use the saws for 2 years and sell them for what I had into them. Eight years of free saws, hard to beat.

Makita made a mess of Dolmar so I started buying Echo. I picked up a Echo cs400. Really nice little saw. Used it for 2 1/2 years and sold it for $100 less than what I bought it for. I picked up a Shindaiwa 402 (same saw but all red). I would love a Echo 590 Timber Wolf. If I get a tree removal job, I will buy one.

Really happy with my Echo, Shindaiwa, Kubota dealer.

 

[JeepHead]

I had a great Dolmar dealer. I bought two 5100's and two 5105's from him. I really wish I had bought a 6400. I was able to use the saws for 2 years and sell them for what I had into them. Eight years of free saws, hard to beat.

Makita made a mess of Dolmar so I started buying Echo. I picked up a Echo cs400. Really nice little saw. Used it for 2 1/2 years and sold it for $100 less than what I bought it for. I picked up a Shindaiwa 402 (same saw but all red). I would love a Echo 590 Timber Wolf. If I get a tree removal job, I will buy one.

Really happy with my Echo, Shindaiwa, Kubota dealer.

I almost bought a 6400 off of Home Depot a few years ago from their rental program. I wish I had now because it was a good deal.

I have a Echo 590 as well and it's a great saw that has cut a lot of wood. For a 60CC saw, my Husky 562 is where it's at though. That is one beast of a saw.

 

[sklunk]

I think Echo makes the best small engine tools out there. If you haven't tried one of their chainsaws, you'll be surprised at how nice they are. I have two Husqvarna's and 3 Stihls that I never use anymore after getting my Echo chainsaw.

Another agreement here.

My son works for a company that sells both Echo and Stihl products (they are the exception, since both of those companies usually require non-competes, but long story about how they got grandfathered in). Their service shops see WAY more Stihls coming in for work, and very few Echos. This is true across the entire lineup of products, especially the new Stihl electrics.

I know that last statement will start an internet war, but I'm just relaying the facts from their actual data

 

[MMC]

I think Echo makes the best small engine tools out there. If you haven't tried one of their chainsaws, you'll be surprised at how nice they are. I have two Husqvarna's and 3 Stihls that I never use anymore after getting my Echo chainsaw.

I have to agree, at least from my experience running both Echo and Stihl products on a farm. I used Stihl for many years for trimmers and chainsaws (still miss my ancient Stihl 028...). We currently run an Echo gas 501p chainsaw, an Echo gas pole saw, an Echo 2620t weedeater (for torque) and a heavier old Tanaka brushcutter (which were great until Hitachi screwed up that line).

Frankly, there is also a Stihl chainsaw here we take out for back-up, but no one wants to use it compared to the Echo 501p - just simply a better saw... The 2620t is great for fencelines which don't have a lot of woody brush in them.

We aren't loggers, but sure cut up a lot of downed trees each year. Perhaps Stihl still shines in their heavier saws, I don't know about that. I was not pleased with their more recent offerings in mid power chainsaws though.

What I can say is that if you have a good Echo dealer, I would definitely recommend their line of small engine products. And...wait for it...the saw everyone tries to grab off the truck is the Echo 56V with several heavy batteries - 18" bar and cuts amazingly well. Completely exceeded my expectations...

 

[JeepHead]

I have to agree, at least from my experience running both Echo and Stihl products on a farm. I used Stihl for many years for trimmers and chainsaws (still miss my ancient Stihl 028...). We currently run an Echo gas 501p chainsaw, an Echo gas pole saw, an Echo 2620t weedeater (for torque) and a heavier old Tanaka brushcutter (which were great until Hitachi screwed up that line).

Frankly, there is also a Stihl chainsaw here we take out for back-up, but no one wants to use it compared to the Echo 501p - just simply a better saw... The 2620t is great for fencelines which don't have a lot of woody brush in them.

We aren't loggers, but sure cut up a lot of downed trees each year. Perhaps Stihl still shines in their heavier saws, I don't know about that. I was not pleased with their more recent offerings in mid power chainsaws though.

What I can say is that if you have a good Echo dealer, I would definitely recommend their line of small engine products. And...wait for it...the saw everyone tries to grab off the truck is the Echo 56V with several heavy batteries - 18" bar and cuts amazingly well. Completely exceeded my expectations...

Echo's biggest flaw is their warranty, it downright sucks. Getting them to honor a warranty repair is difficult and even when they do there is still a charge.
There are still some Echo 4910 NIB floating around out there. Almost same saw as the 501P with slight differences like no captive bar nuts, metal handle etc, but they run the same and it's a great deal cheaper. The 4910 is an amazing saw!
With the Echo2511T, I don't see why anyone would even consider the electric saw.

I do love my Echo products though.

 

[N7HEVN]

I have (3) of the PAS-225 units (6+ years), using line trimmer, saw blade, and pole saw attachments for all my various land maintenance tasks; across two properties. Other than having to clean out the spark arrestor filter every couple years, they've worked great for me.
Wish you success in your decision.