Echo String Trimmer for the wife???

rockyridgefarm · Aug 31, 2004

Thanks, Bob, for yer excellant research.

When I happened onto a refurbished echo gt200i for $120.00 I snapped it up. My son is using it and he loves it!

Bob_Skurka · Aug 31, 2004

Mike, the lovely Mrs_Bob has used the new Echo once, as have I. Both of us are impressed with the power given how small & light the unit is. Her Weed Wacker Featherweight is overall about the same size, but weighs a bit less and has significantly less power, which is what was leading to frustration when the weeds got thick. The little Echo has enough power to take down weeds that the other unit choked on.

rockyridgefarm · Sep 1, 2004

Thanks again, I almost went the FeatherLite route....

Bob_Skurka · Sep 1, 2004

By the way, the Echo seems to vibrate significantly less. I have rheumatoid arthritis in both wrists, which is why the lovely Mrs_Bob does most of the trimming. But I wanted to try the Echo because it was a new toy. With the Weed Eater my hands would typcially hurt for about 2 days starting the day after using the trimmer. With the Echo they didn't hurt at all. There is significant margin for other factors involved in that observation, but I suspect at least part of the reason my hands didn't hurt is because of a smoother running engine???

rockyridgefarm · Sep 2, 2004

I dunno, but isn't the lovely Mrs_Bob lucky to have you?!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Bob_Skurka · Sep 2, 2004

HEY, I BUY HER A NEW PAIR OF WORK GLOVES EVERY YEAR!!! The kind with pretty colors or flowers on them.

LBrown59 · Dec 4, 2004

If I were you I would look at the Stihl FS45 or FS46. A buddy just bought the FS45 for around the house. It is a pound lighter and has a few more cc's of engine power comapred to the ECHO 200i model. Stihl also has a easy start system. You just lightyl pull the cord and it release it and it starts. Realy a top notch piece and it is also better in price. If I remember right it was about 170.00. Also has the curved shaft. Happy shopping and remember a happy wife is a happy house.
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I have a Stihl.
Best one I've ever owned and the only one Iv'e used that doesn't easly didn't tangle up with weeds.and the easiest and quickest to clear if they do tangle.
The bump line feed works better than any other I've used too.
It's light nimble and easy to handle.
The Homelite It replaced was much heavier bulky and cumberson than the Stihl.

Untangiling weeds can be more of a chore than operating the trimmer.My Stihl eliminated this headache almost completely.

Mith · Dec 5, 2004

ive got a FS 85 - the best tool ever
now im no giant but i can handle it fine all day without tiring. its real light and really balanced so you dont notice the weight
the only thing that i would say is that on a cheaper machine you compromise the luxuries like antivibration and electronic ignition. also at the place where i work there is a new thing out which starts the strimmer and you only have to pull the cord about 2 inches!! /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif thats an echo
dunno if this is atall relevent to you but just sharing my experiences

Edit: an old lady down the road from me has an echo thats been going for ages and i wouldnt be surprised if she used it sometimes so echo is probably a sound investment