Redmax, Echo, or Stihl

[curry]

Im going to purchase a new hedge trimmer and have narrowed it down to the Redmax CHTZ2500, Echo HC 1600, and the Stihl HS 45. All of these have a 24" double-sided blade. These are my only options due to dealer availability. If anyone has experience with any of these I would like to hear what yall think before I purchase.

[EJK2352]

I have owned an Echo in the past and it didn't hold up very well. Bought a Redmax last year and found it's 10X better than than the Echo was. The Redmax has a much higher blade speed and cuts alot cleaner. I've had bad luck with Stihl products and would never recommend them.:) ;) :) ED

[captdevo]

Redmax CHTZ2500!!! nothing will compare.

they are excellent! and you can't beat the strato-charged.

Dave

[hollywood]

purchased a Stihl HS 80 last year. it runs great and the rotating handle makes it much easier on the wrists if you run them for any amount of time. dont know exactly what the setup on the HS 45 is, but go for the Stihl.

[SLS]

I have the Redmax CHT2200 and I LOVE THEM!

I have not had the other two brands you mentioned so I can't compair them but I can say that the Redmax trimmers have been great in every way! :D

[65hoss]

I have the HS80 Stihl trimmers also. They are very powerful. The rotating handle is awesome. Makes working on details very easy. The only thing Redmax I have is a blower. It a good product.

My opinion is you can never go wrong with Stihl or Redmax. Get the dealer to let you crank them both up and see what you think.

[BigJim]

I've just got rid of my Echo,everything that could fall off it did and it was cranky to start if you didn't use it often.I dont think their up to being a commercial trimmer:(

[wxmn6]

Go with Stihl. The trimmers they build are powerful. They are very well built machines.

[wattsup]

I have the Echo 1600. It is a good machine, but I would recomend looking at another machine. I am a one man operation, but when I have to trim hedges I con my nephew into doing it. The Echo is very heavy for a small machine. However, it is powerful, I snapped an aluminum pipe with it.

[John Gamba]

Stihl :D :D :D :D
Johnny G. :cool: :cool:

[C4chris70]

Stihl! I have the Stihl Hs80. Excellent machine. Red Max also makes a great line of products, however it takes them much longer to order replacement parts. Go with the Stihl.

[Turfdude]

The redmax shears have a different set up for their teeth compared to most other brands. I have the long reach redmax and love them. I opted not to purchase the redmax double sided ones years ago because they weighed a little more and I knew my guys would have cried. I went w/ the tanakas - same $, they're okay, but definately not as nice IMHO. Also I owned Echo's years ago - everything was Echo then - not anymore - I wouldn't take them for free.

Bob

[TOSLC]

I can't figure out some of these posts?!?! I use all Echo equipment, and have never had any trouble. I wonder if it's the maintenence? I keep a pretty close eye on the equipment, and fix things before they become a problem, so maybe that's it? Anyway, I would have to recommend Echo, but I'm not knocking Stihl either. Redmax is not used much around here. In fact I don't even know of a dealer.