would like comparison of string trimmers

[ultrarunner]

Echo no complaints from me and also have Shindaiwa on the landscape trailer which has a hard life bouncing around on the trailer.

So far no issues not self inflicted going back 40 years like stumbling on a steep hillside and landing on the trimmer.

For brush work I use handlebar with harness but not for lawn care…

 

[mrmikey]

Echo for me.
I've got a PAS266 power head with a paddle, string trimmer and pruner attachment. I've had it 6± or so years and it's well used and not even a lick of failure. If it croaked tomorrow it owes me nothing.
All I've ever bought is Echo and I have no complaints about any of them. Chainsaw, hedge trimmer and wheeled trimmer and even a couple of old and abused Shindawas' that I brought back from the dead.

 

[mjonesnh]

Have a Stihl FS 130R purchased about 10 yrs ago. Has been totally reliable with zero problems. Current model is the FS 131R. If something went wrong with this one would not hesitate to replace with newest model. Runs brush cutting blades and .105 line with power to spare.

 

[KennyG]

String trimmers are a great application for battery power. My 20v DeWalt has been a best buy.

 

[deserteagle71]

I'd get a battery powered trimmer but my old Honda trimmer just refuses to quit running.

Through the years I'd tried several different models of trimmers. All were troublesome so 25 years ago I decided I would buy something that would last and I noticed that all the professional lawn care people around here were using Honda 4 stroke trimmers. So I bit the bullet and bought one. It was expensive but 25 years later it hasn't missed a lick. Sits all winter long and when I need to use it in the spring it fires up on the second pull of the cord. Works great with either the cord head or the metal blade that will slice through some pretty thick brush.

 

[RjCorazza]

I do also like Stihl products, but I own Echo string trimmers. Because their string head is the easiest to load and isn’t one of the “bang and jam” designs. And overall they are durable and work well. HD carries them as well as a lot of small engine /lawn equipment dealers.

My Stihl trimmers have Echo Speed Feed heads on them! They are by far the best trimmer head available.

 

[etpm]

I have 2 EGO battery powered trimmers. I love them. I have 2 because I wanted another battery and the batteries are so expensive to buy alone I decided to spend 30 dollars more and get another trimmer complete with battery and charger. I think this link is for the ones I have : Amazon.com
The trimmers I have load the line by just pushing a button. Super convenient. They are heavier than a gas powered trimmer but they are so quiet, which to me is more important. They will go through half inch thick new growth blackberry canes, so they have plenty of power. I like the trimmers so much I just ordered a 16 inch EGO chain saw.
Eric

 

[nybirdman]

Replaced my still working Stihl(20+years) with a battery Echo.Two batteries and it works great.Replaced Stihl chain saw with a battery powered Echo also.

 

[Hay Dude]

I have two of the Stihl Kombi trimmers and they have been dead reliable for my semi - commercial use.

This is the path I have chosen for my large property maintenance business. These are nice machines with a lot of versatility. I have the 91 and a 131.
What is nice is you can find the shaft ends used on FBM and keep a blade on one and a string head on another. Makes swapping a breeze. I also like the hedge clipper and pruning saw ends.

Also have Stihl HT extendable pole pruner and I love it.
And (3) Stihl chainsaws, too.

 

[nancyk]

What great input. I am attempting to compare/narrow down the trimmers by weight(would like around 10 lbs) and cc(may stay around 25). And, to keep it simple, will not be looking at any trimmers that accept attachments, that will just complicate comparisons. Probably will not go battery option as I did get a battery powered chainsaw and dislike it intensely, mainly for the lack of power.
Saw comments, on a lawn care site, that the Stihl FS94 can be persnickety in starting. Especially when warm outside. Have you found that so?