Unfortunately I can't speak from personal experience, but a buddy of mine in Kali uses an Echo. He's had it for 3 seasons, and hasn't had a single problem with it. I've drilled a few holes up there with it, seemed to work like a power auger. I know he LOVES it, I guess he left it out in the rain one nite, then it froze solid, and when he got to the lake, he claims "it fired right up, as if it were snuggled by the fire place ALL nite!".
Hope that helps at least a little!
Good luck,
Pyro