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

Wondering if anybody has any feedback on this leaf blower (or echo backpacks in general).  My wife got it for me as a gift for my birthday.  I really like the look/feel of it, and have had great luck with echo products in the bast (trimmer, handheld blower, bush trimmer).

I'm intending on keeping it unless for some reason I should be considering a different brand/unit.  All the reviews are positive and she got a great deal on it. 

I read good reviews on the Echo and the Stihl leaf blowers when I was looking last year after my old McCulloch died after 15 years.. Most say you can't go wrong with either and claim it's really just a matter of preference. A 1/2 a pound + or - and a couple of CFM seems to be the only differences for the most part between the higher end models in the same price range. I have a Stihl dealer close by and ended up with a BR550 which I highly recommend. Might be worth trying a few on your back to see which one feels most comfortable - you'll most likely have it for quite a while and comfort is important. I had a price point in mind when I was in the market and ended up going about $100.00 more to upgrade to a higher end model. Good luck! 

Can you see any reason to spend the extra $130 or so to upgrade from the PB500 to the PB620? IT has a few more CFMs and MPH, but they dont seem noticeably greater....but then I don't know...

I was looking at both Echo models you mention as well as the Stihl BR420 and then the BR550 - these are all comparable models in the same class. I can't remember the exact spec's but the 550 was a lot more blower (in my eyes) for the extra $ 100 or so I spent. I remember it being more comfortable than the 420 but it also had a bit more power and more ergonomic controls. Most reviews I read at the time classified it as a commercial quality backpack blower. I also went on youtube and saw some testimonials from owners of the BR550 that were quite impressive.  I live in an oak forest and spend a lot of time on leaf clean up during the fall so the commercial aspect and comfort were appealing to me. I have that "buy a little extra" mentality so the additional cost was easily justified. I would definitely put a few on your back and try to get a feel for the controls, etc... before commiting to anything.

Thanks for the input Frank - as I mentioned on the other board - I upgraded to the PB620 and I'm glad I did. I also tried a Stihl BR600 Magnum (friend has one) to make sure I wasn't missing anything. I could barely tell a difference between it and the PB620, whereas the difference between the PB500 and the PB620, albeit not huge, was noticeable.

If you can, return that blower and get yourself the Echo PB770.  It will cost a bit more but the power of this unit will be greatly appreciated when you need to move leaves.   I've had an Echo PB770 and it's a terrific blower.

Joe - simply because the 770 is bigger, or is the difference noticeable? I ran the 620 side by side in the same yard on the same leaves with a Stihl BR600 this weekend, and swapping back and forth, neither I nor the owner of the Stihl could tell any appreciable difference between the two. The Stihl is obviously rated more CFMs and MPH than the PB620ST but in the real world, it didn't really translate. Wondering if you ran the 770 side by side with a 620 or similar and had some feedback..