Best backpack blower?

[walds11]

What is the best backpack blower for residential use? I am hearing Echo is decent. Mostly used for fall leaf removal and other clean-ups. My property is about 1/2 acre with moderate leaves (leave droppings pretty much spread out during the season). I am tired of using my friends sears gas handheld blower, It's ok, but not powerful enough to get the job done quick and my arm tires out. I would like to keep it in the $200 range max, less if possible. My township requires the leaves to be bagged, but that's a whole nother issue What about those blower/vacs like the Echo Shred n Vac?

[wissel_landscaping]

there was a echo pb300e on ebay for $155 i had one used it for almost 10 years a friend of mine has it now and it still runs.

[westwind]

Echo and Red max have been good to me!