Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I was at HD today looking at hand-held blowers and saw an interesting 4-cycle model made by Makita.  Upon closer look, I found that the engine is a Robin-Subaru which are good engines generally.  Anyone know anything about these Makita 4-cycles...are they new on the market?  The tag on the engine stated that it is a very low polluting engine and that it is a category A engine, rated for 300 hours.  Weight seemed comparable to the 2-cycle echo sitting next to it.  It is selling for $199.99.  Let me know if I should try it or pass it up for a Husquavarna or Echo 2-cycle hand-held blower.  Thanks.
-Steve

Why would you pass up the Echo?  I just bought the Echo leaf blower/vac and it looks like a fine piece of equipment.  I have other Echo (as well as Stihl, Jonsereds) machines.  I've owned an Echo two cycle lawn mower that's nearly 20 years old, have never had to work on it and it runs like the day I bought it.  I would not pay a premium for Husqvarna.  Sure it's good equipment but not necessarily better.  I checked out the Husky blower as  well as the Stihl before buying the Echo.  The quality/price ratio favoured the Echo.  

P.s. I didn't buy it a HD.  I bought it in the U.S. for $75.00 less than what they want for it in  Canada.