a family members was looking for one. I can't say I know much about them.

Looked around at Amazon and Sears so far

I recently got a Sears 4 stroke, if you look around at the store many times you will find older models mixed in with the current models. Have them check the prices for any item number that doesn't match the ones on display for unmarked clearance prices. I got the 4 stroke for less than the new cheaper 2 stroke models.

I've been in the market for one myself but haven't really come across anything that just lights my fire. Since I also have a lot of pine trees that need serious trimming up to about 8 or 10 feet (the January ice storm here absolutely annihilated some of them), I'm leaning towards a 4 cylinder model that takes attachments - a good 8' limb saw attachment would be a godsend (electric pole saws aren't an option, and chain sawing from a ladder just ain't my cup of tea...).

For grass cutting only, I'd say the most important thing is the size of the string it uses and ease with which it can be changed. Some of the reviews I read on various models indicated it was a moderate undertaking just to replace the string.

Besides Sears and Amazon, I also looked at the Troybilt models on their site, but was put off a little by the reviews (on their own website, no less) for the 4 cylinder models.

BTW, if you happen to find one at Lowes, make sure to pick up a change of address packet at the post office. The last one I picked up (as of early April, anyway) had the 10% off mover's coupon in it.

thanks...i keep forgetting to pick one up.

I'll check out the local sears. There was a clearance model on the sears website the other day, but looks like i missed it.

I was looking through reviews and apparently Stihl and Echo are rated pretty well. Only problem is that you have to go to specific dealers for them.

You definitely get what you pay for with either brand - I've used a few Echo products in the past and was always very impressed with the build quality.

Might be worth calling up a few dealers and seeing if you can come up with a deal below MSRP....

Homelite Versa Gas String Trimmer $40 reg $89 Split Shaft at Home Depot BM
Mighty Lite VT26
UT21566
Sku 874-442

* Powerful 26cc Gas Engine
* New Rotochoke Design
* Trimmer Attachement
* EZ Wind Dual Line Bump Feed
* Accepts All Expand-It Brand Attachments(not included)
o Hedge Trimmer
o Edger
o Pruner
o Brush Cutter
o Blower
o Tiller
o Expanded Reach Trimmer
* .080 line
* 17 Inch Cutting Diameter
* Only 9.6 Pounds
* Low Emission Engine
* 2 Year Warranty

Don't forget to bring a Lowes 10% coupon with you.

I happened to visit our local Home Depot today to get a gas shut-off valve I needed and decided for the heck of it to see if they had one of the $40 Homelite clearance trimmers in stock.

They didn't, which really didn't in the end bother me, because holding one of the current model Homelite Mighty Lites reminded me that a cheap $40 POS is still in the end a POS. I truly don't think that one of those things would last even a week trying to cut the grass in my back yard. Maybe they could blow it down, but cut it??? No way.

Anyway, I noticed that since the last time I was in there a few weeks ago, our local HD has begun stocking Echo trimmers and stick edgers (complete with Echo's 5 year warranty) in-store. The prices aren't that much more expensive than Lowes is charging for their MTD junk (Bolens/Troy-bilt) or for the Poulan Pro brand equipment in either store. It might be worth a look if your Home Depot accepts Lowes coupons, anyway.

I think I'm headed back there one day this week after payday to pick one up for myself.

must be a relatively new thing. I went last week to our local HD and i think the top brand was Ryobi. I looked up the ratings on the ryobis and they didn't sound all that great.

interesting....i see the Echos on the HD website:
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores...amp;omni=b_ECHO

They were still selling the Ryobis, a few Poulans, and had tons of those cheap Homelites and Black & Decker electrics, but also had an entire shelf section now dedicated to Echo trimmers and stick edgers. The shelf items seemed to include a selection of both the older white models and the newer red/orange ones. I didn't see any attachments, though.

It, of course, figures that the one I decided I want (the SRM-225SB, because it can take the Pro series attachments) is of course an internet-only item, so I can't use a Lowes 10% off coupon. Now I have to decide if I want to order through HD's web site or just go to a local dealer.

page 5 of the memorial day sale shows two Echo models

Echo 16" Curved Shaft Gas Trimmer $179
Echo 17" Straight Shaft Gas trimmer $219

probably just regular price, but looks like they're probably in-stock most everywhere now since it's advertised.

Yeah, I was looking at 'em Monday and those were the regular prices.

I decided to give one of those 4 cycle Craftsman propane-powered models a try just for the heck of it. It weighs a little more than a standard trimmer (you definitely wouldn't want to use it very long without a shoulder strap), but seems to work ok and has a 2 year warranty. The only thing I really don't like is that it seems a little harder to start than some of the gas models I have used....