I did it, I went out and got the Husqvarna 455. Its an 18" which was smaller than I was looking for but I was on a budget. I used it today and think I may be in love, starts up first time, with the easy start its easier to start than my lawn mower. It cuts like a dream also, went through the trees I was cutting like a knife through butter. Made my sears model look like a blunt bread knife, even when it worked. No tree on my property is now safe.
I narrowed my choice down to the Husqvarna or a Stihl, finally settled on the Husq as it rated slightly higher for vibration control and thats a must for my carpal tunnel. Echo never made the cut as I started reading about how good they are at claiming just about everything is not covered in the warrenty.