Gas trimmer purchase?

[blkwtr]

It sounds like there are some good trimmers out there and am glad that you were able to make a choice.
I trim about 1 1/2 acres with about a half mile of roadside and ditches. I have a Stihl FS131-R that I bought in April 2021. It's been used a couple times a week, year round, during the past 4 years. Yes, it cost $475 but I feel it was worth the price. It starts easy with no problems and has plenty of power.

 

[AutoMechanic]

I’ve used Stihl and Echo as well as currently own both. I love my Stihl FS 56 RC. It’s consumer grade but top of the line consumer like the highest one you can get. It’s in its 3rd season and doing spectacular. I paid $249.99 at Rural King for it and it’s on sale on the Stihl website right now for $199. I can’t remember the model number of my Echo trimmer but it’s pretty old and has lasted since my dad bought it years ago but I haven’t used it since I got the Stihl. It has never failed to start on me even after sitting the entire off season. I’d recommend it.

 

[UncleDave]

None of the shops around me have them in stock... Wanna sell/ship me one?

It's worth the wait.

This!

I have the 2620 in the "click-link" version, that can use Echo's attachments (Echo calls it PAS I believe) and it's a powerful and lightweight beast. I also have the 21cc version and it's a bit smoother/even lighter and works like a champ. But the 26cc version is soooo much better with righteous power, I don't regularly use the 21cc version anymore.

I'll bet the maruyama powered and attachment system is absolutely top shelf.

I'm a powerhead vs dedicated tool guy.

Although Im a fan of redundancy, buying half a dozen powerhead you dont actually need isnt the path I chose so I have 2 powerheads, the starter and the upgrade.

Having just upgraded from 18VX2 to 40, the seemingly trivial 2 volts actually turns into the difference between 600 watts, and 1000 watts at the toolhead. (according to the aussie authorities on the tool) Im not sure if that's the delta but I can say it's notable.

I got by with 600 just fine. 1000 speeds up a number of tasks - like pole sawing and cutting thick hedges.

Don't care about all out speed ? - pull back to level 2 and watch run time approach or beat gasoline levels.

I'm mid project so the wall is a mess - but the fantastic Stihl FS70R - is basically a wallflower now that the 40V head showed up.

 

[johnD2]

Retired my Stihl 94r. Had it since 2017. Nothing wrong with it, just wanted something new..The Husqvarna 525 lst mark ii, was on sale at the dealer. Threw a speedfeed 400 head on it. Love it so far.