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superbuick
06-11-2011, 01:46 PM
My Redmax 8500 was delivered yesterday, and though its raining today so I can't really test them out properly, I figured I'd do a photo comparison with the "other" most powerful blower, the Echo PB770. I don't have a Shindaiwa 802 or else I'd include that here too.

Of note - the redmax 8500 I bought (from a site sponsor) was missing the fan screen (appears they simply forgot to install it at the factory) so they will be sending me a new unit and i'll send the one in the pictures back.

Here's a look at the 8500 (sans screen)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/superbuick/IMG_0093.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/superbuick/IMG_0096.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/superbuick/IMG_0097.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/superbuick/IMG_0098.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/superbuick/IMG_0099.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/superbuick/IMG_0121.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/superbuick/IMG_0122.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/superbuick/IMG_0123.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/superbuick/IMG_0127.jpg

And here's a comparison to the Echo 770
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/superbuick/IMG_0102.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/superbuick/IMG_0105.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/superbuick/IMG_0106.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/superbuick/IMG_0109.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/superbuick/IMG_0110.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/superbuick/IMG_0112.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/superbuick/IMG_0114.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/superbuick/IMG_0119.jpg

The 8500 weighs (by my arm scale and my back scale) basically the exact same as the 770. The difference is negligible - again keeping in mind I haven't worn the 8500 for any length of time yet. The 8500 is quite a bit taller and slightly deeper than the 770. The quality of the plastic parts on the 770 is decidedly superior, and the straps and backrest are significantly more padded and thick. Additionally the 770 has many more cooling slots in the backrest - further testing will reveal if the 8500 can cool the back as well.

The tubes on the 8500 are even wider than those on the 770, which has pretty wide tubes to begin with. The tubes on the Echo are made of a thicker, more rigid plastic than those of the Redmax - the Redmax tubes are thinner and very flexible (you can squish them with your hand). The Redmax tubes are lighter in weight than the Echo tubes.

Accessing the motor on the RedMax is easier. The Echo has a bigger muffler and a larger exhaust exit area. Accessing the spark plug and the air filter on both units is extremely easy, and both units have almost identical sized dual-stage foam/paper air filter setups - the Echo on the side and the Redmax on the top.
joed
06-12-2011, 09:17 AM
Great pictures and analysis. Keep us updated when you get a chance to compare both units.

I have the Echo PB770 and like it very much. But I might trade it in on the Redmax 8500 if it proves to be a more powerful blower.

I do think a key for all blowers is the width of the tubes. The wider the are, the more air that comes out. For example, the Shindaiwa EB802 has very narrow tubes. When I was deciding between buying it or the Echo PB770, I tried both out and although the Echo has the smaller engine (64 cc vs 79 cc), it outperformed the Shindaiwa. I would think that if Shindaiwa put tubes similar to the PB770 on its EB802, it would be much more productive.
superbuick
06-12-2011, 10:25 AM
The wider tubes do, however, slow down airflow. I think its a matter of finding a balance.

Like you, I'm also stunned at the performance Echo is getting out of the smaller engine as compared to the larger Redmaxes and Shindaiwas.
beaver29
06-13-2011, 09:51 PM
Did you get to compare them yet Super B?
nobagger
06-13-2011, 10:00 PM
Those are the two exact blowers we are looking at to replace some old ones. I tried both on and felt the Echo a bit more comfortable. Didn't get the chance to fire either up. I do like the larger fuel tank on the Redmax. Looking back at the pics, I guess one tank is taller and the other is wider. I also like Echo's dual adjustment on the very padded straps.
Greenery
06-13-2011, 10:25 PM
Argh i'm really regretting buying a br600 this spring. I should have waited and stuck with redmax.
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superbuick
06-13-2011, 10:48 PM
I haven't tested the 8500 yet. I'm waiting for my replacement unit to arrive as the unit in the pictures was shipped sans screen (not a great reflection of build quality in my opinion - how do you miss that????)

The replacement unit should be here on Thursday - I'll fire it up then.
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mictrik
06-14-2011, 03:54 AM
Great pictures and analysis. Keep us updated when you get a chance to compare both units.

I have the Echo PB770 and like it very much. But I might trade it in on the Redmax 8500 if it proves to be a more powerful blower.

I do think a key for all blowers is the width of the tubes. The wider the are, the more air that comes out. For example, the Shindaiwa EB802 has very narrow tubes. When I was deciding between buying it or the Echo PB770, I tried both out and although the Echo has the smaller engine (64 cc vs 79 cc), it outperformed the Shindaiwa. I would think that if Shindaiwa put tubes similar to the PB770 on its EB802, it would be much more productive.

Two nozzles with eb802 the wider one is the same as the redmax 8001. The wider nozzle is the standard nozzle, I never use the narrower nozzle.
fobaum
06-16-2011, 09:11 PM
superbuick, You started that thing up yet or what?:waving: need to buy a new blower to replace my 770 that got stolen ,been using the br600 mag. doesn't compare to the 770 . If the RM8500 has alot (signifigant) more power i'll wait and get one if its just comparable i'll just get the 770 NOW.? let us know please.
Thanks: Forrest
superbuick
06-16-2011, 09:54 PM
Fired up the new redmax today. A few observations: 1, it's loud. Much louder than the 770. 2, it's less comfortable and heavier feeling on the back than the 770 after wearing it for a while. 3, it is definitely more powerful, but not insanely so. The difference, to me, is smaller than the difference between the BR600 magnum and the 770 (which is interesting given that the specs say the 770 has abt 50 more CFMs than the stihl and that the redmax has abt 140more CFMs than the echo.)

Bear in mind that my 770 is fully broken in and the 8500 is brand new. Also, my test was on wet grass and crab apples embedded in long, wet grass, not on leaves.

My short take is that the 770 is a more well rounded machine. It's almost as potent while being quieter, more comfortable, and having a higher quality feel to it.

I'll keep this updated as I do more testing and pit more hours on the 8500. It is still clearly one of the best blowers for the money despite my initial misgivings, and I'm sure it will grow in popularity.
Posted via Mobile Device
joed
07-01-2011, 09:53 AM
Superbuick,

Do you have any more updates on the Redmax 8500?
beaver29
07-23-2011, 09:55 PM
Any update on the Redmax 8500?
fobaum
07-24-2011, 12:34 AM
I ended up getting another 770 for 469.+tax from what (superbuick) said and seeing the 7500 at a dealer I'm glad i got the 770 and not the 8500!! just had to get another center pipe piece to make it the right length, the dealer had them in stock, i guess I'm not the only one that the pipe is to short for.
IXINRGIXI
07-24-2011, 02:31 AM
i work for another landscape contractor beside myself and he has an redmax 8500 and that thing is a beast of a machine
cajuncutter
08-13-2011, 12:34 PM
Just want to give you all a heads up, after terrible experience with warranty issues concerning RedMax. If you do purchase the blower or any other RedMax unit through a website such as Wise Sales your warranty will be void the second it arrives to your door step. If it is not filled with gas and started by an authorized dealer then no warranty. Just giving you all a heads up. After being brand loyal to Redmax for over 12 years and to be treated the way I was I will no longer purchase their products.
Alan0354
08-13-2011, 01:30 PM
Two of the posts that complained about Redmax got deleted recently here. So be careful.
cajuncutter
08-13-2011, 01:44 PM
Well Alan that is a 100% fact..can not be denied..no interstate sales on RedMax products..
i cut with ferris
08-13-2011, 02:09 PM
i just bought two 8500 and like them so far. can really tell until fall when i will have one on my back for a while. But right now i dont have anything bad to say about them. only had one problem with redmax and it was taken care of no problem even tho it was are fault. wrong mix lol.
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