TAS Tanaka Parklander 26cc Blower & Vacuum

Vibration is actually damaging my hand – Updated this review after a few weeks of use, the vibration is so bad it is actually doing damage to my hand, this makes it pretty much useless. After much research, I decided on this leaf blower as an alternative to my Stihl BG86, so that I didn't have to keep changing the vacuum attachment on the Stihl. There was not much on the Tanaka review wise but there were plenty of bad reviews on the $200-250 range that Bunnings sell, and what I could find on the Tanaka was good. It was $259 delivered from a company on Ebay and comes with a Vac kit (yet to be trialled) the Stihl BG86 is $399 plus at least $110 for the vac kit. Firstly it's bulkier and heavier than the Stihl, not such a problem for me but will be for the better half. (according to the specs only half a kilo but thats 20% heavier) It's still only an hour old so this may improve but even tho the engine is only 1cc smaller than the Stihl, it just seems asthmatic, and it has a REALLY annoying buzz through the handle, if this doesn't get better I can see Mr Tanaka departing soon, see above, this vibration is actually causing pain in my fingers hours after using it. It's hard to tell the difference in airflow just putting your hand in front of both but I am certain the Stihl moves the leaves with more ease. A bit more fiddly to start than the Stihl but not difficult. Gave it 2 stars for safety because if you're right handed the fan will continually be trying to inhale you're clothing, fortunately the holes are too small to suck a shirt in though. Note: My Stihl is 7 years old and has been serviced once (I'm not proud of that) it still starts after 3 or 4 pulls and goes like a train, that said, I have read a lot of reviews lately that say Stihl has gone downhill with its quality as it's now made in China, I can't comment on this. Because of the terrible vibration this gets a well deserved 1 star