I have been debating between the two for a long time. I came to conclusion that the Mantis has the same proven gear box for years where Honda is new. Also I am using it mainly for de-thatching. The video I post below show how good the Mantis work, I just want to play it safe. I just order the Mantis with Honda engine with de-thatcher and aerator tines. Mantis have promotion. $449 for tiller, they kick in the kick stand, edger, free shipping, one year refund. Just can't refuse this. I mainly use it for de-thatching. If you have doubt of how well this little thing work for dethatching, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU7kUDcOhiU I choose Mantis over Honda FG110 because of the promotion and also the gear reduction ratio. Mantis is 42:1 vs Honda 35:1. Higher gear ratio of Mantis meaning the tines turn slower and have better torque. For de-thatching, slower turning should be better for the grass so it won't damage the grass as much. Also higher gear ratio means it won't labor the engine as much. I choose the Honda engine because the Echo is rated only at 0.9hp where as the Honda is 1.1hp. 0.9hp for the Echo engine is published by Mantis. Honda GX25 is rated 1.1hp in many documentation. I hate mixing oil. I have HC151 hedge trimmer with the same Echo engine, it is loud and harder to start. I have the Honda HHT31S trimmer and the engine is so quiet, the sound of the trim head spinning is as loud as the motor. You almost can get away without ear plug.( don't even think about it). I'll post my experience after I use it. It should be here in a week.

The high quality ones always have both blades moving in opposite directions for better cuts. As oppose to some cheap ones that one blade is stationary and only one blade move. Yes, a lot of people think just because Home Depot sell Echo, then they are not commercial quality. That HC151 is a tough cookie!!! Because it's too short, I bought a Shindaiwa short reach articulate hedge trimmer ( $$$$....my toy!!!) and I have been using the Echo to cut through over 1/2" branch to compact the recycle box. I mean I stuff the branches into the box, stick the HC151 blade into the box and cut through them, pack more down and stick the blade in and cut. That is a rough task and it really hold up!!! That is trimmer abuse!!! It is powerful, earn my respect to the HC151. Still quite sharp even after all the abuse.

I have two fairly new 26ss Homelite Mighty Weed Trimmers. Both have less then two (2) hours of running time on them. On one the pull string wont return, it wonÂt start the engine. I tried rewinding the spring and the string at least 8 times and I still canÂt get this thing to work right. I am an automotive machinist of over 40 years I work with the smallest to the largest engines all day. I had several other Top Machinists in the shop take a look at it as well. The string wont return back to its original position after a load is applied to the engine. After the second pull it jams again. The only other option I can think of is to replace the starter pulley. But the trimmer is new right????? I paid $120.00 for the thing new, and spent about $400.00 in time trying to fix it. The other trimmer the muffler fell off after the third (3) usage

The 250 is a nice mid size saw. I have that model and am very pleased with it. Unfortunately I do not have nearly as much land as you do so I do not get to use it as often as I would like. It performs quite well for my needs. If you know you won't go any larger than 12" trees, that is a good size. I have heard others say that you should not go larger than an 18" bar on it. The saw just does not have enough power for 20". If you plan on regularly cutting some firewood, you might want to step up the size of the saw. I have not cut much firewood yet so I don't have any insight on that particular issue. Do check out the arboristsite forum. Plenty of information. Your question has been covered many times there. You only have to watch out for them talking you up to a monster saw :). You also should get some safety equipment such as chaps, hearing protection and helmet if you do not already have them. You will also need to buy chain oil. I like the Stihl oil as do many others (~$6/gallon). I highly recommend you buy a file and guide to sharpen your chain. You will know very quickly when your chain needs to be sharpened. With a little practice you can do it in a couple minutes. The SRM210 should be able to handle all your trimming needs. It sounds like you can make the FS90 a dedicated brushcutter. Have you considered a wheeled brushcutter like DR (I forget the other makes)? I am not sure how much they cost but they might make the job go quicker. Just a thought. Some on this forum wrote of a brush blade called a beaver blade. It looked like a blade that had a saw chain mounted to it. I have not purchased one but the idea looks good. It might make quicker work of your brush. Since you are planning on purchasing both a brushcutter and chainsaw. I can recommend the helmet system with integrated hearing protection and mesh face shield. It is comfortable enough that I wear it when I am running my trimmer. The mesh face shield really keeps everything out of your eyes. I purchased mine at www.baileys-online.com. They are a a real nice company to deal with. Very knowledgeable and they go out of their way to help you out. They deal with alot of pro arborists but highly appreciate the homeowner business. Whichever route you go with your equipment purchase, good dealer support should be high on your list of requirements. It sounds like from what you have written that the equipment will meet your needs. For trimmers and brushcutters, many also like Tanaka, Shindaiwa and Echo. Any reason not to get another Echo? For saws in the size range you are looking at, most recommendations go to Stihl, Husky and Dolmar. Good luck with your landscaping. It sounds like a nice little project. Take some pictures. You'll be amazed in a few years looking back on them and seeing the progress. Let us know what you end up with.