Thanks for your replies. It was the Stihl blower, I think the BR55? one , that I read about being hard starting. Also I've talked to people saying their Stihl chainsaws were also hard starting. I just figured that the trimmers were also hard starting. My Echo PB251 has a couple of seasons on it and it still starts with 2 pulls every time unless I mess up the procedure. I'm glad to hear that blowers require more power than trimmers. I just figured that with some models that accept attachments they would require more power. I am more interested in whether 21.2cc's would be enough for St. Augustine grass. I really don't see why it wouldn't be. I agree, I'd love to get the 230 because it has two rings instead of one but I have to draw the line somewhere. Besides, I'm only using it for home use. I figure if my Mexican made Homelite one ring edger/trimmer is still going strong after 8 years of hard use then a quality brand like Echo should last just as long if not longer. Hopefully that is . I hope their new less friction design engine doesn't have durability flaws. Most of the time I just use medium to low throttle so I don't damage the shrubs and trees. I only used to use full throttle when I used the edging feature on the Homelite. The Stihl trimmer looked like a nice unit and the the sales guy said it was made in Germany. I thought Stihl was a Swede company. The Echo is made in Japan. I think Japanese quality and design is probably better than German. The Japanese cars seem to last better than German cars although the German parts are probably tougher. I've worked in Germany before on trains and the German's are kind of hacks and hardheaded in their own way. I also worked with the Japanese on their Boston trolley cars and they were very meticulous and quality minded. As far as the Swedes go, I worked on Saabs in a dealership and what can I say, they were also meticulous and quality minded but they were also dicks. Then again, I'm Norwegian and they hate Norwegians. I think Saabs are one of the crappiest designed cars I've ever worked on. I like the feel of the Echo units as they feel fairly light and balanced. I can't remember how the Stihl felt. There is a local shop that sells both so I'll have to see them side by side. It would be nice to try them out but most places don't have units to start. The one thing I do like about Echo is their website. It has all resources including manuals and parts diagrams. Stihl keeps you in the dark. Maybe it has something to do with the Dark Ages in Europe. My gut feeling is that the Stihl is probably a tougher, stronger unit even though the warranty isn't as good as the Echo. I've read where these new ignition modules are touchy and they are not cheap to replace so a longer warranty is nice. If it weren't for the hard starting problems Ive heard about I'd probably go for the Stihl. It's also 20 dollars less than the Echo. Thanks again for your replies.

I don't think you'll be lacking rpm on the Honda at all. Honda is a pretty strong engine....so is the Echo. Like you said, it is a 4 cycle with separate oil. You can run it in all position, but you cannot store it in all position because when the engine is not running, the oil go to the lowest spot. If you let it sit with cylinder sideways or upside down for a day or two, oil will sip through the rings and go into the cylinder. The next time you start the engine, it will smoke for a while. You have to watch out how you hang it. That is all I can think of. I have this engine on my Mantis and I have the big Honda trimmer, the engine runs good and it is quiet. Don't let the sound fool you, the power is there. RC model plane people use Hondas to fly their planes, it is strong. You have to change oil though, but you don't have to mix. I have half 4 cycle and half 2 cycle stuffs. I have problem with Honda warrantee which don't apply in your case. So I don't have any reservation in saying this. As I said, other than some complains about oil into the air filter and exhaust due to sitting in wrong position, I have not heard of any complains. Even my Honda's problem is from the Wabro carburetor which Honda have no control, the engine have absolutely no problem. Oh yeh, I forgot, you do have to adjust the valves occationally. One thing I still have a little reservation on the PAS265 is that the engine is fairly new with only one compression ring. People said it makes no difference. But I prefer the two ring Honda engine.

Hi folks, I have used a "cough, cough", Ryobi gas trimmer in the past few weeks. Thing caught fire, almost killed me... Returned to HD for refund. I only bought it because of the split boom, and HD did not have any split boom Echos at the time. Here's my question: I trim grass around my city yard. I have some weeds around the edges (by the fence). I MAY use the edging attachment - although I think the trimmer does a pretty OK job just turned sideways along the lawns... I do want the split boom so I can lightly roto-till my raised garden bed - a smallish 10 by 16 plot. I am considering the SRM 210 SB, OR the PAS 265. I can get a pretty decent price on the 265 right now, and they both give me the "split boom" option... For my usage, is the 210 SB enough? Will it be okay to use with the cultivator - if I just want to loosen the soil on top, till under the weeds, etc.? Because I can get the good deal on the 265, I'm just wondering if the extra $50 is worth it??? Can the 210 do the job with the cultivator, and maybe an edger attachment? I noticed some of you use the cultivator unit with the 2400SB... Thanks... ps: I'm buying tomorrow, so if anyone has some good info tonight, I would be grateful.

I am going to another dealer now. I bought my last blower Maruyama BL8100 from them. It was only $20 over the online store so I didn't mind buying from them. Knock on wood I have no problem with it and hope to keep it that way. Don't want to find out how good this dealer is!!!! Besides I like to go and play with other equipments. Now I am shopping for a mower, that don't quite work as well buying online. Fuel tank of 5 gal!!! You have to carry on your back!!!