I was just at Home Depot and noticed that they have marked down their Homelite (made in China) 46cc 18" from $179 to $139 (looks like a closeout). It comes with a 2-year warranty and a hard plastic case.
Right next it was an Echo (made in Japan) 400 (40cc, also 18", no case) for $299. It has a 5-year warranty.
Why NOT buy the Homelite? You could buy two for less than the price of one Echo, and get a 15% higher displacement engine. This would not be for a lot of cutting...just a cord or two a year. You could even buy the Homelite and put a 16" bar on it for a lot less than the Echo.
Is Homelite that bad?
Right next it was an Echo (made in Japan) 400 (40cc, also 18", no case) for $299. It has a 5-year warranty.
Why NOT buy the Homelite? You could buy two for less than the price of one Echo, and get a 15% higher displacement engine. This would not be for a lot of cutting...just a cord or two a year. You could even buy the Homelite and put a 16" bar on it for a lot less than the Echo.
Is Homelite that bad?