The 4 stroke models are more pleasant to use as they are not as noisy and high pitched as the 2 strokes. I have a hedges around 3 sides of my property so I got the Ryobi with the hedge trimming attachment and the curved shaft weedeater. So far (1year) its been fine.
Another vote for 4 stroke. Bought mine 2 years ago, will never go back to a 2 stroke. It goes through stuff that the 2 stroke struggled with and I don't even have to rev it up most of the time. Super quiet- I can run it early in the morning and the neighbors don't even know it. And of course, no mixing oil!
Thanks to all for your insight and recommendations. Mrs. Tyme informed me last night that she thinks she wants to get a battery powered trimmer as she has trouble getting gas models started. We had a battery powered trimmer years ago and I'll think we'll look at a 24 volt model. We're not talking about mowing down an entire field. This will be used for around trees, her flower beds, etc.
I like my little echo 2 stroke straight shaft. I try to pick the time when the nosiy neighbors baby is sleepin to fire it up....I love the smell of a 2 stroke.
My wife uses a black and decker 18v grass hog, which works very well for light trimming, around flower beds and such. I have a shindaiwa t242x, which is an awesome trimmer/brushcutter. For big jobs, shindaiwa. For small jobs, go battery powered. She has had no problems with her B&D Grass hog.
Just got to use my new Shindaiwa trimmer that I bought last week. This thing is a beast, makes my Ryobi seem like a little toy. I like the really thick trimmer line. Hardly gets worn at all.
Get whatever brand, Stihl, Echo, Husqvarna, Shindiawa, that your local dealer has. Brand isn't as important as support and knowledge.....
I personally like Echo curved shaft, and Stihl straight shaft trimmers....Only because Stihl doesn't make a commercial curved shaft any more....
We made the purchase today. Got the Echo SRM-225. It's a straight shaft and Mrs.Tyme can start it. What she and I like about it is the Speed-Feed trimmer head. Fast and easy to reload string. She was a little hesitant about the price but I told her, "Hey, Happy Mother's Day".