My Weedeater Featherlite SST bit the dust after two years. I used the three-strikes policy. First I couldn't get the recoil spring tight enough to return the start cord more than about 75% on each pull, so that after four or five pulls it was all the way out. Then I snapped off the throttle lever while I was messing around with the pull-start. Finally when I worked around those two problems enough to get it started, I couldn't get it to fire. And at some point I bent the shaft a little. It was a good trimmer when it worked. It usually started easily, it was light and easy to maneuver, and it cut through weeds pretty well. But it only cost about $90 and it really shows in the quality of the components. I decided I needed to step up and invest in a longer lasting product. After some research I decided I wanted either a Stihl FS-55 or an Echo SRM-210. Both get excellent reviews, both are $200, both are sold by reputable dealers in my area, they are probably more alike than they are different. I wanted the big handlebars for comfort. The Stihl had thicker, more comfortable rubber hand grips but I chose the Echo mainly so that I could buy it from my neighbor's shop. The handlebars were more expensive for the Echo, $80 versus $50, but I got a metal brush blade with it. With tax it was just under $300. So how does it compare to my last trimmer? Wow - this Echo just blasts right through everything. I went out just to test it out, and an hour later I had gone through 150 feet of fence and 200 feet of shrubs that had not been cut for over a year.