Echo Gas Trimmer Gt-200r

Pros: Rapid loading 2-Line Head, Light weight, Easy starts, Commercial quality and durability
Cons: Designed for a person under 6' tall-Buy an Echo Straight-shaft trimmer if you are taller

After reading several epinions on grass trimmers, I was interested in the Echo GT-200R. My lawn is about 1/4 acres and I have a lot of areas that require trimming. I had been looking for a product that met the following criteria: 1. Retail ...

Pros: Lightweight, Powerful, Easy Handling, Low Vibration, Easy to Start, Solidly Built & 5 Yr. Warranty!!!
Cons: Had to change head to a bump feed for continuious use-minimal loading time convienence!

What a great lightweight gas trimmer, the GT200R has many features that are very important and help it to stand out above the large market of "Weed Wackers"!  1.Ergonomic Handling! For the past 5 years, I used a curved shaft trimmer ...

Pros: Commercial build, Easy to repair, Availability of parts
Cons: More expensive than most consumer models

Overview I bought an Echo GT-200R to replace a 5 year-old Craftsman trimmer that finally stopped working. I have a 1/3 acre lot that backs-up into the woods, so I use a trimmer fairly often in places that I can't use my push mower. I went to Home ...

Pros: Consistent, well-made, starts on first pull, needs no adjustment
Cons: None - this is a great product

This is my fist Echo trimmer and I have been nothing but pleased with my purchase. The engine runs absolutely flawlessly and starts on the first pull every time. I live next door to my brother in law, so we both use this trimmer. That has not kept it ...

Pros: Runs Flawlessly, light, clutch system for string head.
Cons: Don't use the string that comes with the rapid load head. Use .130 or .155.

I recently purchased the Echo GT-200R trimmer to replace an old craftsman trimmer that never really worked well. I have always heard excellent things about Echo, and I routinely see professional lawn maintenance companies using them. After searching ...

Pros: 2 year warranty - trust me, you'll need every day of it.
Cons: Terrible quality. Echo doesn't stand by their product.

I purchased the Echo GT200i string trimmer in October '04. Have had it for one season ('05). However, it's been in the shop 3 times in that one season of use. First problem - Didn't start easily or stay running - Dealer looked at it & fixed a part ...

Pros: Starts quick with plenty of power. Quick line replacement but use thicker line.
Cons: Has leaked gas/oil mixture through the exhaust muffler since day one. Too much maintenance.

This is my first Echo item that I bought because of the reputation of a superior product. I've had this trimmer 3 months and used it about 4 times to trim my lawn. Took to the shop for an oil and gas leak and they said the carburetor had to be replaced ...

Pros: Easy starting. 5 year warranty.
Cons: Perhaps some like bump feed better? Echo line is not cheap.

I have owned a heavy duty commercial John Deere, an electric weedeater, a Bolens, and; for this older 60 plus man, the Echo GT200R is my idea of easy starting, easy to replace trim line, etc. These reviews convinced me to buy this $180 trimmer, as ...

Pros: 1. Echo 5 year warranty for consumer use
2. Light weight
3. Professional-grade
Cons: RapidLoader is fast to load but more trouble than a bump feed design

Read the review by heloflyer. I can agree with everything he (?) said. I have used this unit 4 times now. Several points I want to emphasize: 1. I have always used bump-feed spooled heads until buying this trimmer. It requires pre-cut string ...

Pros: lite weight, powerful, pull starts super easy, fixed line easy to change
Cons: A soft grip handle like the straight shaft model would be nice

It's a 2 stroke engine burning oil in the gas it's going to leak oil through the exhaust, most people are probably using it as a edger tilted sideways of course oil is going to leak, all trimmers are going to have problems with the auto or tap line ...

Pros: Dependable, rapid start. Easy line replacement. Lightweight.
Cons: Little leak from somewhere but should be easy to fix.

The Echo Gt-200 is my first from this company and I am very pleased with it. I am more than a little curious about the negative reviews. I found that any problem I had was due to my novice operation not with defects in the equipment. Breaking the cutting ...

Pros: I like the neutral position of the cutting head if the trigger is not engaged.
Cons:  When the head gets into grass it looses a lot of torque.

I bought this Echo GT-200R gas trimmer after my Weed Eater was unrepairable.  I have used it three time now and this two-cycle 21.2 cc engine is not as powerful as the Weed Eater and tends to lose torque when the head is laid into grass.   ...

Pros: Easy start, fast easy string replacement
Cons: The length could be a little longer

I have had this trimmer for one full summer now. I have 2 1/2 acres with alot of trimming. This trimmer is great. It is light weight, starts easily and the rapid line change is great. I buy a spool of line and then cut it into the right size lengths myself. One word of advice is get the thickest string possible, it won't break so fast. Even my wife loves this trimmer. The only draw back is it is a little short, if you are a tall person , I'd advise getting the longer straight shaft model.

Pros: Lightweight - Well-Balanced
Cons: Poor Quality - Noisy - Leaks - Constant string loaded is ridiculous - Won't run.

Beware of so called "name brands" showing up in discount chain stores... like the previous reviewer mentioned "the quality is NOT there anymore".
After one short season, this unit won't start and stay running. It leaks fuel, and the constant replacing of the string segments is ridiculous.
I've had Sears trimmers last me for 5-6 years minimum with NO maintenance needed !!! I'm stopping at Sear tonite to pick up a reliable brand that they'll stand behind.
I have an ECHO back-pack blower... that works great... but it's from another era... before the "cheap" version were mass produced. Watch out for those other "name brands" made for discount stores.. like John Deere tractors sold at Home Depot... my father bought one 3 years ago, and it's still not right.

Pros: I`m at a loss for words
Cons: many...revs high, leaks, won`t start,

Where do I start? Rubber plug going into gas tank gets saturated and erodes. Gas leaks out of it. Good luck replacing it as it is very difficult to put 3 rubber tubes through very small holes. Engine works great for 1st few years, but then goes downhill. It stated to Rev very high. Could not be adjusted. I had it cleaned, adjusted and tuned, but problem never went away. Also, quick change line is a JOKE. You will need to turn off machine every 2-3 minutes. That` not quick!!!!!!! Trimmer got to a point where I could`nt even start it. Made me mad as i spent a lot of dough on this...Repair shop wanted over a C-Note to "possible fix the problem"...Uh No. I am going to buy a better machine. (NOT ECHO)....Also, Echo is of NO HELP if you call them..Zero-Ziltch..They will sell you parts......

Pros: Engine seems fine
Cons: Rapid Load line system is terrible.

This is my second Echo gas trimmer. I was extremely satisfied with my first trimmer that I owned for about 8 years.

This trimmer is terrible. The rapid loading system is great if you like to turn off the engine and put two pieces of line in every 3 to 4 minutes. That is how long the line lasts. If you are trimming even close to concrete or wooden fences this line does not last long. It degrades during use extremely fast. If you are trimming St. Augustine grass found in most yards in South Texas, it is difficult to cut the grass during the last stages of life of each line.

If you have some tough grass or use this trimmer for edging you will not be satisfied.

Pros: Nice color orange (probably a copy of Stihl).
Cons: Everything; especially the starting and fuel leaks!

Like others, I've had nothing but problems; hard to start or keep running, leaking fuel lines, wing nuts that are not strong enough to handle the vibration, poor string mechanism... I had my 1.5 years and I'm shipping it to Echo. Maybe they can get it started. I will never buy another Echo product again. I purchased it HomeDepot for a little over $200.

Pros: Lightweight, reliable, easy to handle and change line
Cons: The line that comes with is junk, buy .105 or higher.

After purchasing a Craftsman Weedeater and after a few hours of frustration and finally a return, I purchased the Echo 200R. I purchased it from Home Depot, got it home, read the operation manual, filled it will gas and it started right up. I was trimming in minutes and am quite happy overall with the lightweight handling of it. I would definitely recommend this to homeowners like myself.

Pros: Neat little trimmer, does the job well for which it is designed.
Cons: The gas line should be re-designed. This is a simple fix.

Works well. The plastic tube into the gas tank erodes with gasoline. I replaced it with a larger hose from a spray bottle. and it works perfectly. I notice this same gas line is sold as a replacement part. Why replace something which gasoline attacks? I cut my own trimmer cables to the length required. Sometimes a line last for ages unless one hits walls. For hitting plants it is just fine. I carry a pocket full of strings for my large yard.

Pros: Lightweight, easy start, reliable and durable.
Cons: You have to use heavier line.

I bought the GT200R solely based on reviews. Everywhere I looked the reviews where good to great. I couldn't agree more. The unit is lightweight and runs strong. You may have to use heavier line, but that's minor. I had to part with my 7 year old Ryobi which they didn't make anymore. This GT200 with i-start was the right choice. My wife likes it too. I need say no more. :)

Pros: Starts easily, runs good.
Cons: RApid loader is flushing money down the toilet.
Loud - need ear plugs.

I bought this from Home Depot reluctantly because of the Rapid loader system. Echo's website and the HD salesman both lead me to believe that the rapid loader system would work as good as or better than a traditional bump and feed system.

This is true if you like to stop every 25 feet to reload at a cost of 40 cents per two lines....

It is true if you are the accountant at HD and Echo.

It is true if you are the engineer that designed it for a profit.

However it is not true if you are a homeowner and don't want to spend $9 for 50 strings and have to use 8 to 10 of them on a 1/4 acre property.

Motor works great....rapid loader is an example of iditoic engineering.

Pros: Lightweight, reasonably priced.
Cons: Difficulty starting and keeping it running at sufficient RPMs. More trouble than it's worth.

A friend who has had an Echo for 7-8 years recommended it highly, so I bought it. After a month or so of light use (30-45 minutes per week) it began running rough, I could not get the RPMs up. Adjusted the choke to just a little off the cold-start position and it ran at a higher rpm, although often it still lacked enough power. This morning I tried to start it and only could after about 30 pulls, and then it smoked heavily. It's certainly possible I just got a lemon, as many other users seem pleased with the performance of their trimmers, but I need something that is going to start and run reliably. If a $180 trimmer is only going to start easily for 4 months (and run rough during much of that time), I need to find another trimmer. I'm now looking into buying a Stihl or Shindaiwa, or maybe a Robin, which one of my customer's owns and runs well every time I use it.

Pros: none
Cons: difficult to start, snap in line gets jammed and doesn't work!

This is the biggest piece of JUNK I have ever spent $149.00 on!!! I bought base on the recommendation of the guy at Home Depot. I asked for something that was easy to start and easy to manage as I am a women and didn't want to have to put up a fight every time I needed to use it. Anyway, the feature that I bought it for, the snap in line, breaks after 2 uses. I returned the first one because I thought it was faulty. Now, I am getting ready to return a second. I will not be buying another Echo!!!

Pros: None
Cons: Short carb. life

I bought the echo 200GT and used it roughly 10X over 3 years. The next year I go to start it and it doesn't start. I have taken it to 2 different small engine repair services and neither could keep it running. I called Echo and they said it is not covered by the 5 year warrant because it was manufacturer before they started giving comsumers a 5 year warrant. I thought a reseasonable compromise would be for Echo to pay for a new carburetor which both technicians suggested. I talked to a representative, a supervisor, and then another supervisor who said nothing could be done because it was not under warranty. I asked the last supervisor to look at the situation from a neutral position and not represent Echo and she agreed she would be upset as a consumer. However, no refund or compromise of any sort was offered. I'm  stuck with a $230 weedeater that doesn't start. Bottom line, be cautious of the carburator.