Backpack Blowers - Echo vs. Husqvarna....

[burnsome]

I am hoping some of you guys can provide some hands-on experience you might have with regards to the two brands. This is a first purchase of a backpack blower for farm use. I am looking at the Husqvarna 165BT, which has an air volume rating (at tube) of 530cfm and 190mph. The other brand is the new Echo PB-750 which I guess is a new model. I can purchase the Echo for about $100 more. Echo doesnt have the "exact" specs out yet, but its little brother 650 rates at 630cfm at the tube with 205mph air speed. I'm going to assume the 750 will move air at 730 and probably 210mph.

So my questions are:

It seems many here say buy the biggest you can afford, as it makes your work time shorter. Would an extra $100 be worth the "step up" in power that the Echo offers over the Husqvarna?

Ergonomics: What is the major difference in operator comfort (or lack thereof) between the two?

Power: I think the extra power would be good to have to move heavy leaves.

The Echo is gonna cost around $500, which seems like a lot to pay for a backpack blower, yet the Husq would run me around $400. Since all i've used in the past are hand held blowers, I'm tired of wasting $ having to buy a new unit every 3 or 4 years as they seem to wear out fairly quickly. Looking for quality as they say....

any advice is appreciated....
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[Scott]

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I think the PB750 is the same as the PB650 but with the throttle on the air tube.

[burnsome]

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thanks for the clarification. I guess having the throttle controls on the tube is a good thing?

[MY PUPPY]

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I bought a pb-750 t 2 weeks ago it is a great piece of
equipment It is the same as 650 but has the trigger on the
tube and a larger air filter and a little larger expansion
at top of tube for more cfm and more padding for your back.

[mariner]

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Whats that echo 750 going for?

[burnsome]

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$485 delivered is as cheap as i can find it