Where's the 500i ?

Ive put 5 tanks through this one milling. It hasnt missed a beat. Sitting dry for 7 months and fired on second pull.

 

Yep. I was lucky enough to run a prototype a while back. Only made a few cookies on a 20 inch cant though. Raced a 462. 500i won.

 

Talked with a local OPE Stihl dealer yesterday. He said late Fall early Winter for the 500i.

 

I don't get why people go all goo-goo over a half lb and a half second quicker cut in a 20" log. The big "draw" is the FI.

Don't get me wrong the specs on the 500 are impressive, but the price reflects that small percentage. The majority of guys and girls on here are cutting there own firewood, or are a small scale cord wood seller. Most are not cutting multiple cords of logs daily. I'd venture to guess the average person here is cutting less than 10 cords a year.

Having said that, I do enjoy running big powerful saws. I've used a plethora of brands and sizes, such as Dolmar 5100, 7900, Husky 346, 51, 351, 357, 371, 372, 385, Stihl 250, 361, 441, 460, 660, some older McCulloughs, etc, etc. When the models are close in specs, the differences aren't THAT great. For example I feel the 460, 385 and 7900 are all pretty close in real world cutting. One may be a little heavier, one may be a little smoother, one may be a little faster, etc. Its not a night and day difference like some people lead you to believe. The second a new model comes out that is the smallest percentage better, people go goo goo. Kind of like I phones.

 

Considering that the bar is a changeable item, that seems goofy at best and misleading at worst.

 

I don't disagree with you. I do think that both powerhead and with b&c weights should be provided if they come with a standard b&c. That would definitely reduce some confusion.

 

Same here brad. My Stihl guy said the reason for the hold up was parts availability for the 500. Stihl doesn't want the saw out there without parts.

 

When vehicle launches are delayed, this is not surprising in this time when the supply chain is volatile, at best

 

Are you getting one Steve? I doubt i will but all the hype and continued CAD doesnt help.
Its only money though

 

I think I have my CAD under control. I got my SAV (Saw Acquisition Vaccine) last December and haven't felt the need for another saw but then somebody starts a thread like this so ya never know. Maybe one of these.

 

I memory serves me correct didnt you run one at a GTG? Your thoughts?

 

Yes I did. It was hard to get a feel for it since I was the first one to run it. (Not broke in) Really didn't think much of a difference compared to my 462. The guys did put a square ground chain on it later in the day but I didn't get a chance to run it.

 

There's an iphone that can cut wood?

 

There's an app for that.

 

I never get tired of watching that. I sent that to a HVBW Craigslist ad one time.

 

LOL
I posted that on a FB town page where someone was trying to sell their BW for some crazy money.
They were not very happy with me Felt it was highly insulting to their precious BW tree.
I wonder how many thousands of dollars they finally got?

 

500i and 462 are similar with shorter bars. The 500 shines above 24”.

Ive heard that the reason for the delay is to amp up production. Probably for both saws and parts.

 

And maybe techs and programs to work on them?

 

Possibly, sure.
The technology has been out for 10 years with a good track record in the concrete saw. A chainsaw is gonna require a few more mechanics though due to popularity