Anyone have any experience with the Echo top handle saw in gasoline?

I inadvertently ran over (don't ask how) my Stihl top handle arborists saw the other day and it's basically a land fill candidate. Looking at an Echo arborists top handle gas saw with a 14" bar and 2 extra chains.

Don't want to spend the mega bucks for another Stihl so is the Echo top handle a viable saw? Pro's and cons please?

Infrequent use only and I'll run Stihl pre mix bottles as usual.

Input appreciated.

 

Knowing which Echo top handle you are looking at might be helpful?

 

I have used a few cs2000’s in the past and don’t remember anything remarkable about them other than being inexpensive and they cut good enough. They were plenty durable for the price. When the 200t’s were at $500 you could get a cs for 200 and change.

 

CS271T with a 14" roller nose (greaseable) bar. Looking on Amazon but I see Lowes has them for a bit less.

 

I have a 355t and it is a reliable saw.
I think you're going to be happy with the echo.

 

I have the tiny 2511 and it's always done great. I have read many instances of pro tree guys going to these. Only weigh about five pounds or so. I am not sure about a 14 inch bar/chain. I think mine is shorter. You can also get one ported.

 

The Stihl top handle saws are crazy expensive today. I was really unhappy when I smashed mine. Think I'll do the Amazon deal as I received a 75 buck gift voucher from the family. Always been a Stihl person but pricing isn't commensurate with value today.

 

I stopped at the dealer a couple weeks back , they were asking $779 or $799 for the 201 top handle. Crazy money!
Yeah they are nice but that nice? I don't know about that.

 

Way beyond my comfort zone.... and the Echo is lighter to boot.

 

Stihl top handles have always been ridiculously expensive. I recall a 200 being close to $700 a decade ago.

The 2511 does look like a nice little ripper

 

I've never used one, but the 355t is well-respected by arborists.

 

No experience with the 271t but I have a 2511t, it’s my most used saw & have no complaints with it.

It fit’s easily in the cab of the combine or a tractor cab for use on field borders, works great for cleaning fence rows, clearing off terrace backs & limbing.

 

I've used my 2511 some. Mostly for working up limb wood for the stove. Had it for about a year. Starts every time. Best saw on my rack for that job. sits on the floor of the Kubota. Light weight. Good price.

I wanted a small saw for pruning, riding in the basket of the RadRover electric bike on trails and working up limb wood. Did not want to pay the $$$ for Stihl. I'm happy with it !

 

I've had a 355t for about 4, or 5 years and it took awhile for it to break in and develop some power, but once that happened and I tuned it appropriately, it's a very good little saw.

I run mine with a 16 inch bar and use it to limb trees I fell. I also keep it handy when I work my wood pile in case there's a smaller limb that I missed cutting. Probably the best 350 bucks I have spent in terms of saws.

 

194t is still out there.
Right around $400 here with 14 inch bar.

 

I hear they wake up, like most saws, with timing advance and muffler mod.

 

SOP on ANY new Stihl. Stihl really choked up the muffs and I'm not impressed with the EFI either.

The top handle will be here tomorrow. I got 2 extra loops and an extra bar as well and it's greaseable roller nose. Had a 100 buck Amazon gift card so that cut the price quite a bit. I tend to use replaceable (Carleton) roller nose bars anyway.

All in, it was about 50% of the cost of a new Stihl top handle. Still not happy I flattened mine under the tractor tire.

 

Between you and buZZsawBRAD you might be able to make one good saw.

I feel your pain , I ran over a beautiful 028 years ago and actually lost a second when it was taken out by a tree ; this wasn't my doing but none the less it was #2.