Abby's Guide to Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more)
Username Password
Discussions Reviews More Guides
Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Split-Boom: Stihl vs. Echo

Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Search For:
withnail


Joined: Mar 28, 2006
Points: 1

Split-Boom: Stihl vs. Echo
Original Message   Mar 28, 2006 6:38 pm
I am choosing/deliberating/agonizing among a few different replacements for my electric trimmer and edger duo.  I desparately want to ditch the cord, and the split-boom (attachment) setups are appealing.  The candidates I'm looking at currently are:

    • Echo SRM 210SB
    • Echo PAS 230
    • Echo PAS 260
    • Stihl KM-55R
    • Stihl KM-110R

My only concern is that, to the best of my knowledge, all of these are cable drive.  Is this correct?  For "regular" household use, does this matter?  I won't be clearing shrub or anything with it -- just edging sidewalks and trimming around flower beds.  The option to add a light-duty tiller or hedge trimmer is nice, but I'm realistic about the functionality versus the respective dedicated equipment.  I would rather go slightly overkill on my choice and not have problems later.  This would be my first foray into gas-powered edgers/trimmers, and I know of several people with "bargain" units that they were replacing annually.

Any insight would be appreciated.  Local dealer sells both Stihl and Echo, and was basically telling me to forget the Echo line altogether.  Not sure if this is because dealer spiff is better from Stihl...

Thanks!

Replies: 1 - 10 of 14NextNext page of topicsAllView as Outline
texascorvette


Joined: May 3, 2006
Points: 1

Re: Split-Boom: Stihl vs. Echo
Reply #1   May 3, 2006 10:47 pm
my son, who runs a home depot, and the man who does my yard both recommend Echo.  the folks who sell Stihl only sell through dealers who DO NOT discount the product.  you should be able to figure out where the vested interest lies.
nibbler


Joined: Mar 5, 2004
Points: 751

Re: Split-Boom: Stihl vs. Echo
Reply #2   May 4, 2006 10:53 am
I've owned several Stihl products for several years and have been pleased with the way they perform. This includes a grass trimmer that I also have and use a brush and pole saw attachments.The only problems that I've had were operator or lack of proper maintenance related. I can't comment on echo except to say that I have heard mostly positive comments on this web site.
Bond


Joined: Mar 18, 2007
Points: 1

Re: Split-Boom: Stihl vs. Echo
Reply #3   Mar 18, 2007 10:40 pm
Two pros I work with love their Echo string trimmers - they are medium-prices models.  One of them uses the string trimmer for edging and he's happy with it.   There also is one nearby homeowner who bought the split boom Echo model three years ago; he has nothing but praise for the string trimmer and edger.  I know no one who has any other attachments.  The Stihl reviews are mixed, all from homeowners.  Most like it and but a few are had problems when their dealer dropped the line or Stihl dropped the dealer.    Stihl is not discounted and the company will not allow discounted sales on the web or via eBay.   Shindaiwa has the same problems as Stihl  - in addition to weak dealer network, the machine is too difficult for good repairs, parts impossible, extremely poor factory support (first-hand experience).  Stihl and Shindaiwa are not worth the extra money unless you want the most expensive equipment  and want the dealer to like you  they are not the best buy, but are the most expensive.  If you want a great machine, look at the Honda 4-cycle for $309 on line from www.wisesales.com    For a split  shaft / spilt boom, the Echo is the better choice.   Good luck with whatever you chose.   PS  I am not employed by any of these companies (same for my relatives).
nibbler


Joined: Mar 5, 2004
Points: 751

Re: Split-Boom: Stihl vs. Echo
Reply #4   Mar 19, 2007 10:05 am
I have several pieces of equipment from Stihl and have been quite happy with all of them, including the gas trimmer with brush blade and tree trimming attachments. I don't have any experience with Echo so I can't comment.

Interestingly enough I was talking to a guy whose father owns a Stihl dealership, here's what he said were the standards that they had to meet to keep their dealership.
  1. Yearly factory training for the mechanics, generally about two weeks long;
  2. Every unit that is worked on or sold has a log kept of all work and all parts used during servicing;
  3. Successfully pass regualar factory audits ( don't remember how often).
The Stihl equipment that I have has all worked very well, any problems have been due to poor maintenance ( turns out you have to change or at least clean a chainsaw air filter more than once every ten years - go figure) or normal wear and tear ( you also have to sharpen the chain every so often). I've never had a problem with parts but then the L&G place I go to is a Stihl dealer and there are others in the areas that I work in.

Others have posted good reports about the the Echo units.

I would suggest looking at how much you expect to use the unit and how much maintenance you intend to do yourself. This will determine how much you will be using a dealer's services. Parts availablility and access to good mechanics might help you choose, good luck.

The specific gas trimmer that I bought was chosen because is had was large enough to handle brush blades and clearing saws. In addition you could get an attachment that would turn it into a small pole saw. I'm glad I got the extra power and the attachments work quite well. In particular the pole saw configuration works quite well, the only problem is the controls aren't quite as convenient as a true pole saw's. So if you are looking at the unit with the intention of also buying attachments try each configuration out before deciding, the devil is in the details and what I'm happy with you might not like.


This message was modified Mar 19, 2007 by nibbler
buttlint


Joined: Oct 14, 2002
Points: 791

Re: Split-Boom: Stihl vs. Echo
Reply #5   Mar 19, 2007 3:09 pm
Most dealers in my area will match or undercut home depot prices.
Dealers also assemble and prep equipment.....HD wont even throw out the box for you.
Dealers will register and keep a service history of your purchase.
Dealers also stock, sell parts and handle any warrenty issues in house.
Although I work in a stihl dealership.......I would have no problem with recommending an Echo product. Either choice is a good one.
mml4


Snow is good,
Deep snow is better!


Joined: Dec 31, 2003
Points: 544

Re: Split-Boom: Stihl vs. Echo
Reply #6   Mar 20, 2007 12:28 am
I own an Echo PAS 260 and have used it for three seasons.It has been absolutely trouble free.I have the String trimmer attachment along with the Lawn Edger(blade)attachment which will also take the brush blade.I believe the PAS units are only sold through OPE shops and not available in box stores.I'm sure the Stihl is a good piece of Equiptment as well but you can't go wrong with the ECHO.
Marc
This message was modified Mar 20, 2007 by mml4


SnapperV210P,Toro22177,TroyBilt42010Snowthrower,Craftsman Shredder,American Turbo Pressure Washer HondaGX200,Stihl011Saw,EchoPas260Trimmer Edger,EchoPB602Blower,EchoHCR150Hedge Clipper
scottyk


Joined: Jul 10, 2007
Points: 2

Re: Split-Boom: Stihl vs. Echo
Reply #7   Jul 10, 2007 10:19 pm
I bought an Echo SRM-210SB and the edger attachment today. I based my decision on all the glowing reviews of Echo equipment, as well as the attachment capability. I went from using a B&D cordless GrassHog for 3 years, so a gas trimmer is new to me. All I can say is, "What was I waiting for?" Really, I was waiting for the GrassHog to die, which it yesterday. The Echo started on the first pull and did the trimming in half the time. I haven't used the edger yet.

-Scott
This message was modified Jul 10, 2007 by scottyk
joshmech90


everything needs more power and nothing is powerful enough

Joined: Jul 5, 2007
Points: 50

Re: Split-Boom: Stihl vs. Echo
Reply #8   Jul 11, 2007 3:20 pm
i have an echo from the mid to late 70's that is stil running strong. it is an srm-400e with a serial number of 00000015! the only thing i have had to replace on it other than the general maintainence was the starter spring which tend to go out after a while on any piece of power equipment. i would highly reccomend echo over stihl any day. my expericen with the technitions has also led me to lean toward echo aswell because all the echo dealers and technitions have better atitudes. most of the stihl deals i have run into dont even want to look at anything unless it is a stihl. this is not true with the echo people. both are not going to break on you but echo's last quite a while and are in my book the better bet . i believe they are also cheaper and unlike the srtihl the echo comes with a string head while the stihl you have to by all the heads seperatly. the olny gripe i have( and this may different in your area) is that i have to drive about 30 minuites to get to a repar person. stihl is closer whiere i live. go with the echo.
This message was modified Jul 11, 2007 by joshmech90


down with flatheads so we can finally get out of last century and welcome in the new age of OHV/OHC motors who are supirior in al ways!
scottyk


Joined: Jul 10, 2007
Points: 2

Re: Split-Boom: Stihl vs. Echo
Reply #9   Jul 20, 2007 1:02 pm
Just to follow up: my new Echo SRM-210SB is running perfectly. And the edger attachment is great. Highly recommend Echo.

-Scott
TJ198


Joined: Apr 6, 2008
Points: 1

Re: Split-Boom: Stihl vs. Echo
Reply #10   Apr 6, 2008 9:58 am
Did a google search and found this thread as I am in the market to upgrade me weed eater.  I bought a John Deere model that lasted all of about 3 years.  It was a model with the split boom design.  I purchased several different attachments for it, and now that I am looking at purchasing an ECHO my question is, will the attachments I purchased work with the ECHO?
Replies: 1 - 10 of 14NextNext page of topicsAllView as Outline
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Guide   •   Discussions  Reviews  
AbbysGuide.com   About Us   Terms of Use   Privacy Policy   Contact Us
Copyright 1998-2024 AbbysGuide.com. All rights reserved.
Site by Take 42