I'm not familiar with Echo but I can tell you through experience that Shindaiwa trimmers are junk compared to Stihl. I also have Scagg mowers. We don't cut lawns for home and business but we do cut an awe full lot of grass.
I agree about Shindaiwa's trimmers. Stihl makes the best hedge trimmers and chain saws but I will take a Shindaiwa weed eater over any thing. My dad has a landscape business and cuts 80 yards a week. He has two Shindaiwa weed eaters purchased in 1992 that just wont die. He bought a Shindaiwa hedge trimmer and quickly realized that they should stick to weed eaters.
I think it is a little early to start advertising but it certainly isnt too early to book advertising for March.