I have a shindaiwa 8510 with the chode tip that we bought this past fall for cleanups. Initially I was a little shocked at the price but I'd say it was worth it. It is a very powerful blower for cleanups but it doens't get used for mowing. At first I thought something was wrong with it because it sound slike it is not at full throttle, but it is. Just new C-4 technology. Like the others said, I don't need a blower that strong for everyday mowing. We also have an Echo PB-650 and the Shindaiwa is much stronger. We have two PB-603's that go on the mowing trailer. And as for the Redmax 8000, I hear they are junk. I deal with a guy who sells both Redmax and Shindaiwa, and he steered me towards the Shindaiwa. I guess the 8000's have a lot of recalls. I like the Redmax 7000's and 7001's, but the new 8000's are junk imo. If you can get one for about $540, I'd say do it. If not the Shindaiwa EB-630's, Redmax 7001's, or the Echo PB-751's are good. Hope this helps.