Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Husqvarna 150BT gas bacpack blower 50.2cc Echo 450M gas backpack blower 50-51/64 cc This review is intended to compare two leading backpack gas blowers, the Echo 450M and the Husqvarna 150BT. I purchased a handheld Husqvarna gas blower a few months ago but found it did not have sufficient power. I returned it to big box home improvement store L***s and upgraded to the Husqy 150BT backpack blower which cost almost exactly three hundred dollars. After using it for a couple of months, I found it to be consistently difficult to start so I exchanged it for an identical model. It was also hard to start so I returned it, drove down the street to H*** D***t and purchased the comparable gas backpack blower from Echo which cost almost exactly the same as the Husqy. I'll contrast the two blowers on several dimensions. Power: The Husqy is perhaps a little more powerful but this was difficult to differentiate as they both move leaves and yard debris very well. The Husqy claims to produce 251 mph blower speed at 710 CFM while the Echo functions at 162 mph, 450 CFM. Both did exactly what I wanted them to (blow my yard clear of leaves) admirably. Although the numbers suggest there is a clear differential in power, it wasn't obvious to me. Slight edge for the Husqy. Comfort: Both blowers weigh between 22 and 23 pounds and have comfortable backpack straps. The Husqy includes a waist strap which is a nice feature. The Echo has a slightly longer blower tube. A tie on comfort. Operation: The two blowers have very similar trigger operations, starting and running procedures. The Echo, to my ears, is slightly louder but with ear protection it wasn't an issue. Both blow dry leaves easily, blow wet leaves well, and will blow small sticks, acorns, grass, etc. Both are very simple to operate--another tie. Starting: This is the reason I returned two Husqy blowers. The first Husqy backpack blower was hard to start. That is, it would start but it often took five to ten minutes of pulling the cord, tinkering with the choke, etc. I assumed my gas/oil mixture was problematic so I made a new batch. Still had problems. It seems that the blower would start only with fresh, high octane gasoline. That fresh batch of gasoline is sour milk after a few days and the blower wants another brand new batch of fuel. I used several different stabilizer fluids to no benefit. After one half hour bout of pulling the cord and failing to start the thing, I exchanged it for another identical blower. Similar starting problems of an entirely new Husqvarna 150 BT made me give up on the brand all together. Both models of the Husqy 150 BT gave me trouble starting after they ran for a while. That is, I would use it for 20, 30, or 40 minutes, turn it off and set it down, then try to restart only to be greeted with a hot machine that wouldn't start. I'm not an engine repair guy (although I've rebuilt a motorcycle carb and rebuilt a lawn mower enginge) but my gas lawn mower, gas weed eater, gas chainsaw, and gas snow blower all work on fuel that has sat around for months (with a stabilizer) and they don't complain. I've never seen such a picky engine as the Husqy and I won't buy any other Husqy products, ever. The Echo starts like a champ, every time, I've never had to pull the cord more than two or three times. It really needs a few minutes to warm up otherwise it stalls and you have to take it off and start it again. I start it, tie my boots, put on my gloves, ear protection, and sunglasses, then I'm ready to go. The Husqy didn't need a few minutes of running prior to use but I rarely have a blower emergency such that I need it to run instantly. Huge benefit to the Echo on starting. Summary: The Echo is a much better purchase. They are priced identically, weigh the same, and function similarly. Although the Husqy says it is more powerful, I couldn't tell the difference. Extra power isn't worth much if the thing won't start. I highly recommend the Echo and, if you buy the Husqy, I wish you better luck than I found in getting the thing to start.