Sorry to say but you wont get a really good trimmer in that price range. Anything of quality will be more like $300. I looked at a Troybilt (MTD) that didnt seem too bad, Lowes had it for about $160. I am not sold on the new 4-stroke engines. They're a neat idea but I dont think they will last, the lubrication would seem to be an issue.

I would try the Echo SRM210. It will be just a little over the 200 dollar marker but it is commercial quality and has a 5 year consumer warranty. Buy one from a dealer and not a big box store.

I use that trimmer on my property and it is a great trimmer.

I used to use a Craftsman / Poulan Weedeater timmer and it was junk comapred to this trimmer.

Thanks for the input. I will look at the Troy Bilt along with the Echo.

Echo trimmers are among the best. They are a great buy. As far as 4 stroke trimmers, lubrication is not an issue at all. I have one that has been running great for years. It will run in any position and has no issues relating to the fact that it is 4 stroke.

I'm not the biggest Ryobi fan, but I bought a reconditioned Ryobi 775R straight staff trimmer from Harbor Freight. I also bought the tiller and edger attachments for it. I think I paid 79 for the trimmer and around 40 for each attachment. I'm going on 7 years with this trimmer and I only had to clean the carb once because I forgot to drain the gas before I stored it for the winter. Its not to hard to start. Prime the bulb a few times, set the choke over to full, pull two times, then set it to the middle choke. Pull the cord and hold the throttle about half way for about 10 seconds then turn the choke off and your off trimming. I'm sure the new models may start easier, but this thing has plenty of power and for less than 100 bucks I've got my moneys worth. The only thing I don't like is that it uses 32 to 1 ratio where as the rest of my power equipment uses 50 to 1. A second gas can is much cheaper than a new trimmer.

I would agree that the Echo SRM-210 is probably the closest to commercial grade that you will find in $200 and under price range.

Another option that I have experience with, and personally like is the Toro-brand straight shaft trimmer at Home Depot. I saw them there recently for $149. The power head is from the legacy Homelite consumer products company, but it is a full-crank engine rated at 300 hours durability. I own one that I, like the previous poster bought as a refurbish. Mine came from Cummins Tools when they had a travelling sale in my city. Mine came with the powerhead, and 3 attachements (10" pole saw, edger and curved shaft trimmer) for $139.

I have had it about a year now and have been pleased with it's performance. I have used it as an edger mostly, but also have used the pole saw attachment several times.