Only speaking for personal home use as I don't blow leaves for a living.
I've owned two and used a third blower all w/ air speed 215 mph to 225 mph that didn't move much CFM (none over 350) and though they were good for pushing a rock or bit of steel along or for blowing holes in sand, they didn't move leaves as well. My shop air compressor has impressive velocity, but only 18 cfm and wouldn't be too handy to move leaves.
I have a lot of leaves that fall onto sandy areas of my yard and I want to move the leaves without taking all the sand, too.
I finally researched the CFM vs. MPH and bought a Stihl BG55 earlier this year and kept the round nozzle (not the flat one) it's 140mph with 430cfm. It moves leaves MUCH better than my prior Toro, Weedeater, & bro-in-laws Poulan. All of which had higher air speed but much lower CFM.
The guy who maintians our office lawn uses a BG85 and prefers the round nozzle for moving leaves as well. He also prefers the handheld since he can reach more places with it than a backpack (easier to get under/behind shrubs, etc...) Most landscape guys use backpacks though.
I'm going to get a flat nozzle as well since this will increase the air velocity for the occasional times I may want to blow sand, etc... like to clean out our carport, etc.
FWIW the BG65 has the same 430 CFM as the BG55 but increased velocity to 174 mph and I"m sure it's due to the flat nozzle that they state is 'for increased velocity'. So having both nozzles adds versatility.
Anyway, the BG85 with 459 CFM and 183 mph (flat nozzle) should do you quite well. It also has cruise control and comes with both nozzles so you can still get the 459 CFM but slow the air speed down if you're using it just for leaves, or if you do like I do and use it to blow off shop work surfaces without blowing away all of the tools.
Chaser
