Rob, you can't put BG85 & 86's in the same category mate!
Having run BG86's & BG85's side by side, I am in no doubt that the BG86 is an inferior blower. No matter what Stihl says, it does not blow the same volume of air as a BG85, no where near it! It has several failings too; the main one is that the return spring on the carb fails (did so on 3 out of 4 bought at the same time within 6 months of purchase) This spring is not sold separately, you have to buy the whole carb (>$140) They don't make BG85's any more, so Stihl is off the list for replacement blowers. I know someone who has a Pope & is happy with it, same with the big cc Echo. Me, I'm looking at 4 stroke Makitas.