NOOOO FORGET ECHO
stick with a husky or stihl and stay away from the 4stroke UNLESS you must have one. They are bulky and I have used one for about two hours once and it didn't have the power it should have.
I, too, have the 223L and it's light at around 9lbs without trimmer head. It's spool T-35 or 25 holds a lot of line 0.095" gator magnum square string with aramid core that keeps the line from stretching and breaking.
But since husqvarna doesn't sell that 223L model anymore. I would still stick with getting a different model. Yeah, they aren't American made, but the Sweds know how to make commercial grade products.