In this video I compare both the STIHL BR800 and the RedMax EBZ8550 Please let me know if you have any questions, I would be more than happy to answer them!
Good video, honest appraisal. We have plenty of experience with both here (well it's a Husqvarna here in the UK but basically the same). Both great blowers and both have their pro's and con's, but either will do a great job and should be reliable for quite some time.
My old Redmax 8500 still cold starts on the 2nd pull. I can order every single nut bolt or decal for the Redmax online if needed but have to go through a dealer for most Stihl parts. I do use a Stihl fs110rx for trimming and edging though.
Great review. Thanks for taking the time. LH throttle is actually sweet as you have figured out. Once you go that way, it's hard to go back. RedMax has not involved over the years with comfort, etc.
The base of our stihl where you put your foot broke off one day under what we would think of normal use. Basically it was being set in the bed of a truck over the side. Same as we have done with the old stihls and the redmaxes for years
Redmax is so easy to work on. After 8 years of hard use I had to open up the engine on my 2012 Redmax and decarbon the cylinder and piston. I soaked the parts in lacquer thinner for 2 days and it was spotless. Put everything back together and it runs like new again.
I have the 8550 and put a thin strap through the small lower frame holes that the shoulder straps are attached to. With some connectors on the ends it acts as a waist strap to keep the blower from further sliding around on my back. I think the blower should be supplied with a waist strap.
Had the exact same issue (ignition coil) with my Stihl. Sold it t shortly after. BTW- just noticed at my local Red Max dealer that there is a 20 percent off sale coming in March. I’ve never run Red Max, but I’m planning to try the 8550. Thank you for the review.
Yeah that issue was weird. I think you'll like the RedMax. It seems like it's a solid blower, I still haven't had any issues with it, but you can't beat the comfort of the STIHL!
I also have an Echo PB8010, to be honest I’ve found that to be more comfortable on my back than the Stihl. However the ergonomics of the tube and grip on the Stihl is far better than the echo.
@@goldeagletactical9945 I have a buddy with one of those, it is pretty comfortable. I personally prefer the STIHL but it really comes down to personal preference. I bieleve the Echo also has more power so that is also an advantage
Probably a little overkill but I bought the RedMax EBZ8550 to do spring and fall cleanup at my home as I have lots of trees that shed in the fall. It's a real beast and the engine is so powerful, its torque tries to turn me to the right. It's a little heavy and is very thirsty by since I'm not using the unit commercially, it's not an issue. My other backpack blower is a very small Husqvarna and is a peashooter compared to the EBZ8550. All in all, it's a great unit and I could be happier with my purchase.
Definitely looking forward to seeing how well it holds up! I've heard lots of great things about them. I also like how the carburetor is easy to get to, if I do ever need to service it, unlike the Stihl
Red max is top dog in this game and a lot of people really just want to hate on it and be “different” so they would choose the Stihl and talk bad about redmax. Really redmax is all I know so much so that I don’t even care to try stihl but one time. The comfort part is definitely the only complaint I would have but it’s work your not always comfortable
This guy favors stihl with is a good unit the stihl is like a BMW very fancy but alot of maintenance the redmax is like a honda bullet proof and keeps going
We have both where I work, we actually think the stihl is louder. It sounds like a motorcycle from a distance if someone is going up and down on the throttle
If you don't like the back padding and straps of the redmax, you could just look for a dealer that supports husqvarna because they make the 8550's equivalent the 580 mk 2 which has similar back padding and straps to the stihl.
I actually thought of this myself. I heard a lot of people saying the Husqvarna is more comfortable than the Sthl. It's not a huge deal, but I may have to try that
Nothing quiet about a BR800. The neighbors definitely know I have arrived. I have both blowers. They sound different but personally I can't tell any difference decibel wise.
The BIGGER THE AIR-FILTER, LONGER LIFE of carb etc. and have to replace filter less often…. The air filter is super small and really poor design on ALL stihl products specially the blowers. I have a redmax8500 and 7500 and BOTH are over 15 YEARS old and it’s always 2-3 pull starts.. all I’ve done is clean and replaced air filter and change plug on 1 and replaced pull start on 7500model(it’s few years older)I’ve used stihl and when they get used a lot they become a 4-5 pull start. REDMAX power to weight I think 7500 feels the best in my opinion
Stihl is more torquey in the low to mid end but the redmax is best on full throttle, if leaves are wet the stihl is bette, if is dry redmax hands down.
Both with 41 N, the redmax is a little cheaper, what I like about the stihl is that it is easier to make details with more precision, and what I like about the redmax is that they last for many years
Seems like the EBZ8550-RH is a better unit. Need a new unit, I'm left handed and was thinking the EBZ8550 would have the grip / blower exhaust on the left side. But as you showed it's just the throttle on the left. Definitely more effort than just a trigger on the grip.
I would personally go with the RedMax in that case, it feels natural and not much work. I actually like having a place to put my left hand when using that unit
@@everythingmechanical4638 Going with Redmax, have a previous model and know it's a good brand. But I'll be getting the RH model since the throttle is on the blower nozzle grip. My old unit is that design and I've found out many times having a free hand helps. Plus personally I prefer a trigger throttle over a lever.
@@everythingmechanical4638 Thanks for the video though, couldn't get a clear answer from the company about the regular and RH model. Was going to get the model you have because I thought everything was positioned on left side. Video helped clear that up, all the company said was it's left hand use.
The straps on the Stihl are always slipping off the shoulder. A simple fix with a chest strap but Stihl doesn’t address, nor did you. Only problem with Redmax is that every one I have ever bought has been stolen.
I have used the 600 a bunch, the 800 is noticeably more powerful and I used it commercially so it really came down to moving leaves as fast as possible. The 700 is also a good unit
For me the best tool is the redmax the blowers and the stihl the best are only the weedwacker the concrete saw trimmers extension trimmer and the chainsaw are the best of the stihl blowers I do not recommend it what I do recommend are the red max blowers any model are the best and more the new one that came out the 8,550 is the best and with more force
@@everythingmechanical4638 I also have a stihl tool except the blower, I eliminated it and nor do I recommend it, everything from stihl that is from that brand is good except the blowers, I have been using stihl tools for years and they are very good except the blowers. The company I was in got lost they got damaged and my boss started buying the red max blowers and they are the best and I also bought red max for my work and they are the best👌👍
i love the waist throttle. you might wanna keep an eye on your right hand throttle, hand. tends to be hard on your hand. since you are using it for throttle and holding and wipping the pipe around with it. its more demanding on a single hand...causing hand issues like numbing that will end up becoming long term issues. my first 5 or so years doing leaf cleanups, i used pipe throttles. for years after wards i right hand numbing going on bad. just holding anything for 5 to 10 mins, my hand would numb up on me pretty bad. and thats an issue. your hand, let alone your best hand is insanely valuable to you. leaf blowing exspecially is hours and hours of possibly doing the worse thing to your hand. so try and do whats best for it, early. the waist throttle. i used on a Tanaka for 4+ years. i noticed my right hand numbing issue slowing go away after been using the waist throttle. the past 7-8 years, i've been using the Rmax8500. waist throttle. right hands has been considerably better every since the Tanaka and Rmax. so if i were you guys out there, i'd try and get and get use to the side mount throttles. i realized just how easy and fast the numbing came back, after having to rent an Echo lately. pipe throttle.. i never can remember my right hand going numb with the Rmax for the past 7-8 years. maybe some times if i by chance am really gripping the handle. but nothing to remember and it being an issue to cause numbing. so after this recent rental, i see just how much better it is on your hands to have the borden split up like the side mounts do. another great thing of the side mounts. its easy and naturally to just keep your left hand on it, to adjust the thruttle as needed...and in doing so you grip the mount, which stablablizes the blower real good. restricts the blower from moving on your back. which is great when moving fast (i'v been leaf cleanuping for 23 years and i love going fast as fuk doing leaf cleanup lol) so thats a big factor for me actually. its another thing i noticed that was a hit against pipe throttle mounts. yeah you can stablalize the back pack by tightening the straps up. but its different. much more stable when that left hand has a good grip on the mount. you do not feel the weight of the blower going side to side as you do, with just real tight straps. i noticed that with the rental as well. i tightened the straps up dam tight and still didn't feel that level of stability as i do with my Rmax on my back. i need close this out befor it turns into a book lol.. so just a couple fast tips.. the pop tip is a bigger factor than you realize. first thing i do when i get a blower, is make my own fast add on tip to the tip. an angle to add to the tip or cut out an angle of the original tip if i bought the blower..the angle of which the air is coming out at helps you direct debree and leaves really good. if you want to avoid hitting objects (cars, house, flowers ect)...the angle having a peak allows you to make a clean air cut on the peak side of the tip while allowing more air to blow out wards of the peak of the tip. with the swizzle of the pipe, you can turn the angle left and right or keep it up wards when just wanting to blow straight forward....the angle at aiming straight forward doest two key things...it makes the air hit the ground real destintly, not just a blob of air. and again, the angle having that peak, the open end of the tip, now allows the air to get the leaves up and in the air faster...once they are up, they are easier to the blow... so basically you add an additional, possible 2 feet more blowing distance. also that angle, allows you to clean out tight spots with less screwing around and clean out porn/deck corners alot faster and less screwing around...you dont' have to get most of your body in the corner to aim the air...the angle of the tip is now doing that for you...lastly about the angle. it makes the air beam hit down lower alot harder versus the stock wide open tips. stock tips are made to just move the mass of air...doesn't allow you to precisely control the air...thats what the angle does. makes you have alot more control over all that air...super awesome. so try it and give it week. you'l see what all its doing and will love it i bet..its stupid to think...but the tip is huge factor of job time. you think speed and volume of air, but over looked what having alot more control over all that speed and air volume...just for fast example. i'll shave up to 15 minutes of off an hour cleanup job, just having the tipped angled. do that 4 hours...you just turned a 4 hour job...into 3. that easy and fast how you can save time on the job and get more done at same time. 23 years of this. pardon the easy books that i can write about it now lmao :) good luck to you bizz, bud. remember that hand thing i was tellign you about..dude its not cool when your hand goes numb every time... just holding a cup of coffee.
Good video, honest appraisal. We have plenty of experience with both here (well it's a Husqvarna here in the UK but basically the same). Both great blowers and both have their pro's and con's, but either will do a great job and should be reliable for quite some time.
Sthil blower is my go to often. Its always more comfortable when having to blow a lot!
Definitely a very comfortable blower!
My old Redmax 8500 still cold starts on the 2nd pull. I can order every single nut bolt or decal for the Redmax online if needed but have to go through a dealer for most Stihl parts. I do use a Stihl fs110rx for trimming and edging though.
Great review. Thanks for taking the time. LH throttle is actually sweet as you have figured out. Once you go that way, it's hard to go back. RedMax has not involved over the years with comfort, etc.
The base of our stihl where you put your foot broke off one day under what we would think of normal use. Basically it was being set in the bed of a truck over the side. Same as we have done with the old stihls and the redmaxes for years
My 8yrs Redmax been a beast. Never let me down
Love to hear it!
I own the BR800X and Redmax 8560! Love them both, the br800 is the most comfortable and the 8560 is simple and powerful!
Agreed.
Redmax is so easy to work on. After 8 years of hard use I had to open up the engine on my 2012 Redmax and decarbon the cylinder and piston. I soaked the parts in lacquer thinner for 2 days and it was spotless. Put everything back together and it runs like new again.
Redmax ebz 8560 is also 110 decibels. To the ear is 78 decibels.
I have the 8550 and put a thin strap through the small lower frame holes that the shoulder straps are attached to. With some connectors on the ends it acts as a waist strap to keep the blower from further sliding around on my back. I think the blower should be supplied with a waist strap.
Had the exact same issue (ignition coil) with my Stihl. Sold it t shortly after. BTW- just noticed at my local Red Max dealer that there is a 20 percent off sale coming in March. I’ve never run Red Max, but I’m planning to try the 8550. Thank you for the review.
Yeah that issue was weird. I think you'll like the RedMax. It seems like it's a solid blower, I still haven't had any issues with it, but you can't beat the comfort of the STIHL!
I also have an Echo PB8010, to be honest I’ve found that to be more comfortable on my back than the Stihl. However the ergonomics of the tube and grip on the Stihl is far better than the echo.
@@goldeagletactical9945 I have a buddy with one of those, it is pretty comfortable. I personally prefer the STIHL but it really comes down to personal preference. I bieleve the Echo also has more power so that is also an advantage
I got both I got the older redmax 8500 and the new stihl br800 the stihl is nice like side pull start but the redmax is the king
Redmax all day!
Good video man
Probably a little overkill but I bought the RedMax EBZ8550 to do spring and fall cleanup at my home as I have lots of trees that shed in the fall. It's a real beast and the engine is so powerful, its torque tries to turn me to the right. It's a little heavy and is very thirsty by since I'm not using the unit commercially, it's not an issue. My other backpack blower is a very small Husqvarna and is a peashooter compared to the EBZ8550. All in all, it's a great unit and I could be happier with my purchase.
I had a 8550 it was a good blower I just use it now for grass clippings I bought a 8560 it’s a little more powerful but gets the job done quicker
Thanks.
Yes hands down the stihl blowers are more comfy 👍
If ur someone who lovesss RELIABILITY....red max is the one..Ive had 5 of them.
Definitely looking forward to seeing how well it holds up! I've heard lots of great things about them. I also like how the carburetor is easy to get to, if I do ever need to service it, unlike the Stihl
STIHL ISSS STILL GOOD THO
Red max is top dog in this game and a lot of people really just want to hate on it and be “different” so they would choose the Stihl and talk bad about redmax. Really redmax is all I know so much so that I don’t even care to try stihl but one time. The comfort part is definitely the only complaint I would have but it’s work your not always comfortable
Red max is better but people caught up on all the this and that of the Stihl! To many moving parts with the Sthil!
This guy favors stihl with is a good unit the stihl is like a BMW very fancy but alot of maintenance the redmax is like a honda bullet proof and keeps going
We have both where I work, we actually think the stihl is louder. It sounds like a motorcycle from a distance if someone is going up and down on the throttle
If you don't like the back padding and straps of the redmax, you could just look for a dealer that supports husqvarna because they make the 8550's equivalent the 580 mk 2 which has similar back padding and straps to the stihl.
I actually thought of this myself. I heard a lot of people saying the Husqvarna is more comfortable than the Sthl. It's not a huge deal, but I may have to try that
Nothing quiet about a BR800. The neighbors definitely know I have arrived. I have both blowers. They sound different but personally I can't tell any difference decibel wise.
Great review I believe for crews redmax is most durable. I can see that throttle cable on stihl getting damaged very easy
Agreed. The RedMax blowers can take tons of abuse and still run like a top
The BIGGER THE AIR-FILTER, LONGER LIFE of carb etc. and have to replace filter less often…. The air filter is super small and really poor design on ALL stihl products specially the blowers. I have a redmax8500 and 7500 and BOTH are over 15 YEARS old and it’s always 2-3 pull starts.. all I’ve done is clean and replaced air filter and change plug on 1 and replaced pull start on 7500model(it’s few years older)I’ve used stihl and when they get used a lot they become a 4-5 pull start. REDMAX power to weight I think 7500 feels the best in my opinion
Stihl is more torquey in the low to mid end but the redmax is best on full throttle, if leaves are wet the stihl is bette, if is dry redmax hands down.
Both with 41 N, the redmax is a little cheaper, what I like about the stihl is that it is easier to make details with more precision, and what I like about the redmax is that they last for many years
Yeah, both have their strengths for sure. I'm excited to see how well the RedMax holds up as this is my first time buying anything redmax
I think all backpack blowers should come with that foot rest except fo the stihl with side sart
Seems like the EBZ8550-RH is a better unit. Need a new unit, I'm left handed and was thinking the EBZ8550 would have the grip / blower exhaust on the left side. But as you showed it's just the throttle on the left. Definitely more effort than just a trigger on the grip.
I would personally go with the RedMax in that case, it feels natural and not much work. I actually like having a place to put my left hand when using that unit
@@everythingmechanical4638 Going with Redmax, have a previous model and know it's a good brand. But I'll be getting the RH model since the throttle is on the blower nozzle grip. My old unit is that design and I've found out many times having a free hand helps. Plus personally I prefer a trigger throttle over a lever.
@@everythingmechanical4638 Thanks for the video though, couldn't get a clear answer from the company about the regular and RH model. Was going to get the model you have because I thought everything was positioned on left side. Video helped clear that up, all the company said was it's left hand use.
The straps on the Stihl are always slipping off the shoulder. A simple fix with a chest strap but Stihl doesn’t address, nor did you. Only problem with Redmax is that every one I have ever bought has been stolen.
I haven't noticed that with mine but that would be a very easy fix. I guess most people like the RedMax better haha!
R great i run stihl br600 an it will move wet leavs with no issue
a comparison video with using the products???
My 2001 model RedMax eb7000 overpowers my buddy’s Stihl br800. Cold starts on 1st pull as long as I prime it.
I call BS. I have the Stihl BR800C and Husqvarna 580BTS(Redmax 8500). Stihl is more powerful for sure.
I just looked at the 600 has pretty much same wind power as the 800 so why even consider buying the 800?
I have used the 600 a bunch, the 800 is noticeably more powerful and I used it commercially so it really came down to moving leaves as fast as possible. The 700 is also a good unit
For me the best tool is the redmax the blowers and the stihl the best are only the weedwacker the concrete saw trimmers extension trimmer and the chainsaw are the best of the stihl blowers I do not recommend it what I do recommend are the red max blowers any model are the best and more the new one that came out the 8,550 is the best and with more force
Completely agree, I have a lot of Stihl equipment and love everything else I have from them
@@everythingmechanical4638 I also have a stihl tool except the blower, I eliminated it and nor do I recommend it, everything from stihl that is from that brand is good except the blowers, I have been using stihl tools for years and they are very good except the blowers. The company I was in got lost they got damaged and my boss started buying the red max blowers and they are the best and I also bought red max for my work and they are the best👌👍
Red max is the better machine idc what this guy tries to tell you
We bought a br800x like idiots, idc what specs say our 5 year old redmax had way more power.
amazing
Been using redmax for 20 year I would never buy stihl I just don't like the noise that it makes
Same here hate the noise stihl makes will never buy anything stihl
FACT...RED MAX BLOWSSSS STIHL OUT
Nah, I landscape and farm chickens. The sthil by far blows the dust off the ceilings in the barns better. I like both for leaves though.
The Stihl is more comfortable for sure, honestly if Redmax updated the shoulder straps I’d be happy
who makes redmax never herd of them
RedMax is owned by Husqvarna. They have a reputation for being extremely reliable and hard to kill!
15 times moreeeee maintenance on anyyyyy 4 stroke
Very true
Easy to adjust the valves. Ten minutes.
i love the waist throttle. you might wanna keep an eye on your right hand throttle, hand. tends to be hard on your hand. since you are using it for throttle and holding and wipping the pipe around with it. its more demanding on a single hand...causing hand issues like numbing that will end up becoming long term issues. my first 5 or so years doing leaf cleanups, i used pipe throttles. for years after wards i right hand numbing going on bad. just holding anything for 5 to 10 mins, my hand would numb up on me pretty bad.
and thats an issue. your hand, let alone your best hand is insanely valuable to you. leaf blowing exspecially is hours and hours of possibly doing the worse thing to your hand. so try and do whats best for it, early.
the waist throttle. i used on a Tanaka for 4+ years. i noticed my right hand numbing issue slowing go away after been using the waist throttle. the past 7-8 years, i've been using the Rmax8500. waist throttle. right hands has been considerably better every since the Tanaka and Rmax.
so if i were you guys out there, i'd try and get and get use to the side mount throttles.
i realized just how easy and fast the numbing came back, after having to rent an Echo lately. pipe throttle..
i never can remember my right hand going numb with the Rmax for the past 7-8 years. maybe some times if i by chance am really gripping the handle. but nothing to remember and it being an issue to cause numbing.
so after this recent rental, i see just how much better it is on your hands to have the borden split up like the side mounts do.
another great thing of the side mounts. its easy and naturally to just keep your left hand on it, to adjust the thruttle as needed...and in doing so you grip the mount, which stablablizes the blower real good. restricts the blower from moving on your back. which is great when moving fast (i'v been leaf cleanuping for 23 years and i love going fast as fuk doing leaf cleanup lol) so thats a big factor for me actually. its another thing i noticed that was a hit against pipe throttle mounts. yeah you can stablalize the back pack by tightening the straps up. but its different. much more stable when that left hand has a good grip on the mount. you do not feel the weight of the blower going side to side as you do, with just real tight straps. i noticed that with the rental as well. i tightened the straps up dam tight and still didn't feel that level of stability as i do with my Rmax on my back.
i need close this out befor it turns into a book lol..
so just a couple fast tips..
the pop tip is a bigger factor than you realize. first thing i do when i get a blower, is make my own fast add on tip to the tip. an angle to add to the tip or cut out an angle of the original tip if i bought the blower..the angle of which the air is coming out at helps you direct debree and leaves really good. if you want to avoid hitting objects (cars, house, flowers ect)...the angle having a peak allows you to make a clean air cut on the peak side of the tip while allowing more air to blow out wards of the peak of the tip. with the swizzle of the pipe, you can turn the angle left and right or keep it up wards when just wanting to blow straight forward....the angle at aiming straight forward doest two key things...it makes the air hit the ground real destintly, not just a blob of air. and again, the angle having that peak, the open end of the tip, now allows the air to get the leaves up and in the air faster...once they are up, they are easier to the blow... so basically you add an additional, possible 2 feet more blowing distance. also that angle, allows you to clean out tight spots with less screwing around and clean out porn/deck corners alot faster and less screwing around...you dont' have to get most of your body in the corner to aim the air...the angle of the tip is now doing that for you...lastly about the angle. it makes the air beam hit down lower alot harder versus the stock wide open tips. stock tips are made to just move the mass of air...doesn't allow you to precisely control the air...thats what the angle does. makes you have alot more control over all that air...super awesome. so try it and give it week. you'l see what all its doing and will love it i bet..its stupid to think...but the tip is huge factor of job time. you think speed and volume of air, but over looked what having alot more control over all that speed and air volume...just for fast example. i'll shave up to 15 minutes of off an hour cleanup job, just having the tipped angled. do that 4 hours...you just turned a 4 hour job...into 3. that easy and fast how you can save time on the job and get more done at same time.
23 years of this. pardon the easy books that i can write about it now lmao :)
good luck to you bizz, bud. remember that hand thing i was tellign you about..dude its not cool when your hand goes numb every time... just holding a cup of coffee.
I really appreciate the advice and wisdom here, I will definitely keep this in mind!