I presently have 2 string trimmers, a WeedEater Featherlight (bought it new 13 years ago @ Wallyworld for $56. and an Echo SRM-225 that I bought a couple of years ago to trim under several 30+ foot Bluespruce trees. About 12 years ago, my Wife got the bright idea to plant some kind of ornamental grass, which as the grass became older, it became gnarly and a total PITA to deal with. Thus, I ended up buying a brushcutter kit for the Echo. That works great, but that has become another PITA to set up and take apart so that I can trim under the spruces. Decided enough is enough and I will leave my current Echo as a dedicated brushcutter and pick up a new straight shaft and probably replace the Featherlite as well.
The Featherlite has been running worse and worse, even after servicing it and cleaning the carb and it was all I could do to keep it running at all. Had been looking and narrowed it down to the Stihl FS-38, or trying one of the propane powered weedeaters. Decided on the Stihl and picked it up today. Totally different world than my previous trimmer. Even though it is a "homeowner" grade (which is fine because I am a homeowner) it appears to be a decent quality piece. Picked up a 6 pack of the oil to double the warranty.
Looked at the Stihl straight shaft and decided that while it was a nice trimmer as well, I would take advantage of the Echo sale that is good until the 30th of the month and buy a second Echo (which I have been extremely happy with, it is just heavy to use all the time) and save $30. over the Stihl and not have to buy more 2 stroke oil (I am overloaded as it is.)
In a way it is kind of wasteful to have three dedicated trimmers but I'm at the point that I just want easy (and don't really care what it costs.)
The Featherlite has been running worse and worse, even after servicing it and cleaning the carb and it was all I could do to keep it running at all. Had been looking and narrowed it down to the Stihl FS-38, or trying one of the propane powered weedeaters. Decided on the Stihl and picked it up today. Totally different world than my previous trimmer. Even though it is a "homeowner" grade (which is fine because I am a homeowner) it appears to be a decent quality piece. Picked up a 6 pack of the oil to double the warranty.
Looked at the Stihl straight shaft and decided that while it was a nice trimmer as well, I would take advantage of the Echo sale that is good until the 30th of the month and buy a second Echo (which I have been extremely happy with, it is just heavy to use all the time) and save $30. over the Stihl and not have to buy more 2 stroke oil (I am overloaded as it is.)
In a way it is kind of wasteful to have three dedicated trimmers but I'm at the point that I just want easy (and don't really care what it costs.)