I believe the 535ls shares the bcz350s engine (or vice versa). Redmax claims 1.9hp. It sounds more and more like I should get a big stihl fs250 2-stroke while I still can. Since Tanaka got bought out by Hitachi they haven't been the same. The 34cc Maruyama has a better power to weight ratio than the 40cc somehow. But only 1 local Maruyama dealer, and he is Luke warm on Maru, making me wonder about the future.
I have had great service from old school Echo srm210's. picked one up many about 15 years ago. Used it commercially for several years. Got out of the grass biz, but used it pretty heavy at my house even used it with a blade to clear saplings. After 4-5 years of "home duty" I picked up 70 foreclosure lots. Ran that little srm210 for a couple more seasons cause it just wouldn't quit. Finally some fine local citizen liked it more than me and liberated it from my truck. Along with my echo handheld blower and push mower. I was due for an upgrade. Yeah, 210's have a small gas tank, crappy head and guard design. But they are simple, rugged and easily fixed in the field. Despite being underpowered, I picked up another at a pawn shop as a backup.
I've been using Redmax bcz2401s and bcz2650s for a while. Much better power. Longer run times. Both vibrate quite a bit. The 2401 had a ton of problems early on, but once sorted has been very good. After it continued to plug the exhaust screen, it went back to the dealer too many times to count. Eventually the coil failed, the replacement coil was shocking the bejesus out of me anytime I broke a sweat. By the third coil and numerous carb adjustments and screen cleanings, I took it to another dealer. He put a kit on the carb and found a defective diaphragm. It's been a reliable runner since, but never regained the power it had initially. The 2650 has been solid, but I could benefit from more power. I do like the Redmax feel, but wish they were smoother.
Bought a Stihl fs100rx (or was it 110?) 4-mix hollow drive shaft. Hated it. Hated the sound, it fell on its face when you stuck it into anything. My brother was trimming for me at the time, by the second day, he was back to using the Echo 210.
Bought an echo srm230. It started fine cold, but once warm would not restart. At 108* pulling that turd nearly killed me. Dealer thought I was kidding. I told him to make it start warm, or give me my money back...today. I was seriously overheated covered in sweat breathing hard ready to have a heat stroke. He gave me my money back.