11yo and a 8yo ECHO here and neither have been to the shop yet!

i have a stihl fs90 its tough. I have the metal brush cutter attatchment that i use to clean along the bayou cutting small trees and all that. That metal blade also works great for cuttin rosos to brush the duck blinds with.

I know a guy that works on small engines. He said his first choice would be stihl with echo a close number 2

I would buy an Echo 280T, which is a high torque modle. I have been running one of these for close to 10yrs with around 8yrs of heavy commercial uses with my business. I use my weed eater for edging, trimming, cutting large areas that I cant get a mower and cleaning over grown fences and around trees.... this thing has been great and never had any problems.

X2... I hate weed eaters!!!

Messicans also work very good and don't need non ethanol fuel.

I ave a stihl and like it. Did replace the bulb this year. Also whatever you get, get one that takes multiple attachments. I regret not doing that and it sure would be handy.

Was a certified Sthil Mech, and also own a shindiawa, cant go wrong with either.