What? How does CR rank tools? As in Stihl string trimmers... (1 Viewer)

[e9999]

So, I'm starting to look for a good string trimmer. (Even though I fixed the old one and I got 2 more in varying states of disassembly, what can I say...) I kind of like the idea of a Stihl. Mostly cuz D'Animal is a nice guy. And OK they're good stuff too I think.

So I'm looking at the new Consumer Reports this month. The top rated is a Stihl FS45. Also Best Buy (not obvious). Inexpensive, $150. Curved shaft which I don't associate with serious trimmers, but what do I know?

OK, fine, and good I guess. But I don't understand this too much. Cuz....
It's pretty low on the Stihl totem pole, and they tested also the 56 and even the 110 ($370), bigger machines. The 110 is ranked quite a bit lower than the 45, with lower ratings for trimming and edging. OK, so it's heavier and maybe that's not so good for CR because of that, but how can it be ranked lower overall? As in not working as well. It's not even "Recommended". Shouldn't a much more "serious" model in Stihl lineup rank higher? Do they not take the (I assume) higher reliability and durability into account?

Is CR full of it? Or is Stihl messing this up and the little guy is really working better than the big ones?

Life is too complicated...

 

[D'Animal]

What is you budget?

What do you intend to do with it?

How big is your property?

Do you want to run attachments?

Do you care about emission?

 

[e9999]

thanks for being willing to help Dan, but I don't want to take your time on picking a specific model, you already did help some time back. (Please do let me know if you know of a good used one, though... )

I'm just puzzled as to how it is possible that the 45 would be ranked higher than "better" models in the lineup. Is this a fluke or are their criteria very specific or are some "inexpensive" models actually better than "expensive" ones?

It's just odd.

Do they do something like this for other kinds of tools too?

 

[Blue77FJ40]

Can't say how CR does it's picks, but I've been happy with my Echo, a commercial model w/straight shaft and a solid drive rod.

 

[Cuerno Largo]

I'm not really sure how they decide which item ranks high. I think it is just their opinion which they rank on multiple factors... including price.

Some products may be top of the line, but out of the price range of the "average consumer", so it may get points deducted for pricing.

 

[fj40charles]

I'm not really sure how they decide which item ranks high. I think it is just their opinion which they rank on multiple factors... including price.

Some products may be top of the line, but out of the price range of the "average consumer", so it may get points deducted for pricing.

Yes, CR ratings can be misleading if you're interested in buying something that is best made. CR factors in cost and is geared for the "consumer." Personally, I would buy professional grade (NOT GMC trucks btw) tools (ie: snap on, mac, stihl pro saw, welders, etc.,) if given the choice.

 

[D'Animal]

You are mostly correct. It depends on their intended use or demographic.

The FS 45 is a price point model.

I'm not really sure how they decide which item ranks high. I think it is just their opinion which they rank on multiple factors... including price.

Some products may be top of the line, but out of the price range of the "average consumer", so it may get points deducted for pricing.

I really do not know why they lump homeowner units with commercial units. It is up to the person doing the testing.

It is like lumping a 60 series in with the Ford Explorer, Chevy Tahoe, Subaru Forester, Jeep Cherokee, etc. The 60 series will get spanked since it is not and never was intended for the Soccer Mom daily driver. Now give the same vehicles to a team of Search and rescue or a field research team and the 60 will come out on top. Just different demographics.

 

[e9999]

From what I remember about CR reports, I don't believe that the overall score they give includes the price at all. I think it's just technical, usability etc. Here, if you read the legend, it says that it includes trimming, edging, tall grass, handling, ease of use, and noise; which they score individually and total up (with some weighting I assume). No pricing in there apparently. They do factor in the price when it comes to their "Best Buy" recommendations, of course, which is a separate rating.

Now, it's probably true that a bigger machine is not intended for trimming and edging, where the 110 did not do as well, maybe because it's heavier.

Still basically, the more expensive machines (110 and 56) are ranked lower in tech score than the entry level one (45).

 

[D'Animal]

Yep, they slammed the STIHL pretty bad.


I do not know what chart you are reading or looking at but. they have 6 units in the top 10 unit spots.

What kind of rating system do you want?

Edging with a line trimmer is not recommended by any manufacturer. Just like juggling with a gun, not recommended but people still do it.

 

[e9999]

Yep, they slammed the STIHL pretty bad.


I do not know what chart you are reading or looking at but. they have 6 units in the top 10 unit spots.

What kind of rating system do you want?

Edging with a line trimmer is not recommended by any manufacturer. Just like juggling with a gun, not recommended but people still do it.

yup, that's the report I was talking about.

I'm usually fine with their rankings. Just not sure I understand this one - or the machines.

Are you saying that the 110, say, does a better job than the 45 for all their categories? (I'd be good to know cuz I did find a used 110 in good shape. )

 

[D'Animal]

The FS 45 is a price point model. Very few commercial guys use it. The ones that do (Cemeteries) only get 3 years year of life out of them.

Everything else lasts longer.

 

[e9999]

OK.
I guess that CR did not take into account the durability of the trimmers. And sure enough they don't mention it at all IIRC.

Funny cuz it's such a big part of their ranking for cars. But hard to evaluate for tools I guess.



(I like that the 110 can handle a pole saw attachment. Another side of things also not reflected in the rankings)

 

[MoJ]

I've been considering the entry level Stihl as well OR I might just go buy another $55 Walmart Weedeater brand which has lasted me 9 years.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a Stihl believer. I have a fs130 trimmer/brush cutter, br600 blower, and a ms290 saw. All perform perfectly. The big trimmer is great for property maintenance but for a quick trim in my lawn an inexpensive, light-weight, curved shaft trimmer works great.

 

[e9999]

I've been considering the entry level Stihl as well OR I might just go buy another $55 Walmart Weedeater brand which has lasted me 9 years.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a Stihl believer. I have a fs130 trimmer/brush cutter, br600 blower, and a ms290 saw. All perform perfectly. The big trimmer is great for property maintenance but for a quick trim in my lawn an inexpensive, light-weight, curved shaft trimmer works great.

I'll add that despite the lack of a sexy Pro name, my 32cc Craftsman Brushwacker (probably $200 when new) has been going strong (with minor normal fuel line and carb issues) for over 20 years and I likely use it more than most homeowners, probably something like 30 hours a year in really hard tall weed stuff. That's pretty good in my book. At this rate a pro Stihl (which I'm tempted to get) would hopefully last me 120 years...

After all, a little engine and a shaft is hardly rocket science in the big picture...

Mudders like overkill in tools, I guess... I do... within reason...

 

[fj40charles]

I'll add that despite the lack of a sexy Pro name, my 32cc Craftsman Brushwacker (probably $200 when new) has been going strong (with minor normal fuel line and carb issues) for over 20 years and I likely use it more than most homeowners, probably something like 30 hours a year in really hard tall weed stuff. That's pretty good in my book. At this rate a pro Stihl (which I'm tempted to get) would hopefully last me 120 years...

After all, a little engine and a shaft is hardly rocket science in the big picture...

Mudders like overkill in tools, I guess... I do... within reason...

I'm willing to bet that once you use a quality gas powered string trimmer, you'll think your craftsman is a POS.

The only gas powered tool I use that is not commercial duty is my cheap $65 Weedeater Featherweight blower (2001 model) and Troy bilt blower/leaf vacuum. Once these units fail, it will be replaced by Echo, Stihl, or some other commercial duty equipment. If you're going though the trouble of doing the yard work, why not make it easier by buying the best equipment possible?

 

[e9999]

I'm willing to bet that once you use a quality gas powered string trimmer, you'll think your craftsman is a POS.

The only gas powered tool I use that is not commercial duty is my cheap $65 Weedeater Featherweight blower (2001 model) and Troy bilt blower/leaf vacuum. Once these units fail, it will be replaced by Echo, Stihl, or some other commercial duty equipment. If you're going though the trouble of doing the yard work, why not make it easier by buying the best equipment possible?

- possibly, because I like good tools, although one might wonder why it would be reasonably considered a PoS if it did cut my weeds great for 20 years. The proof is in the pudding, right?

- sure, if the job is made easier commensurately with the increase in price. Ultimately it always boils down to the money you pay and the intended use. If you finish the job 5 minutes faster, it may add up if you're a landscape contractor. If you're a homeowner, you may not care one bit about the extra 5 minutes if you're using the thing 4x a year, but you may care about the $300 extra cost upfront for the pro model. Of course, if you buy an inexpensive piece of junk and it fails right away, that would be false economy, but higher prices don't always mean better equipment (consider the Land Rovers for instance... )

Which brings us back to my original question. Why is it that the Pro 110 Stihl model would be rated lower on trimming than the inexpensive 45 model? Just too heavy maybe?