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

One thing for certain and that is, Stihl is extremely proud of their new saws, at least price wise. They are gonna loose market share certainly.

 

No experience with the new ones but I have a gray square bodied 3400 that I got new in 98. I could go home right now, pull it out of where it's stored and use it, confidently.

 

Which Stihl top handle? The 194 is 1/2 the cost of a 201.

 

Yes that is correct. Just at my local dealer a couple weeks ago. + or - a few bucks but basically a 2 for 1 price. your local price might be a little different but it is close to half the cost for the 194.

 

When I last looked at my local Stihl dealer, probably 2 years ago, a 194 rear handle was $389 if I recall and the 201 was $699. Not quite half then but significantly less. I paid over $400 out the door for my 2511p a year ago.

 

The 700 buck one.

 

My boss bought a 201 top handle just shy of two years ago , it was 700 then ( + or - a few ) now $800 so prices have gone up. We talked about this yesterday.
194top handle is $400 now out the door ( this I know for sure ) so todays prices around here you can call it half.

Hard to believe.

 

Now that I think about it, the 201 rear handle was $749 back when the 194 rear was $389.

I'm having buyers remorse over my 201 now that I have that 241 lol. Its a ripper but 2511p and 241 get most the attention now as well as the Makita 401.

 

It arrived this AM. Nice little top handle saw actually. Will be good for light work. It also has an adjustable bar oiler on it and no oil when the chain isn't moving.

 

I mentioned it in another thread, but not only was the MS200 around $700 a decade or so ago, they wouldn't let me buy the rear handled version. Said I had to be a certified arborist, and that I might get hurt. LMFAO.

I just laughed at the salesman. Complete nonsense. I didn't mind keeping my $700.

 

Definitely nonsense.

 

I have had 2 of those. Sold one...still have one. Love it. Don't use it all the time..but when I do..its very light and handy !

 

It arrived this AM. Nice little top handle saw actually. Will be good for light work. It also has an adjustable bar oiler on it and no oil when the chain isn't moving.

 

It wasn’t dissuading though, it was flat out refusal. He even tried saying legally he couldn’t.

 

Didn't he have it backwards? I have always heard of them saying that about a top handle saw. And that the rear handle was their solution to provide this great saw (200/201) to homeowners.

 

Installed the chain brake, the loop (I bought 2 extra's plus an extra bar), fueled and oiled it (50-1 Stihl pre mix and Stihl bar oil, gave the primer bulb a push and is fired right up, 2nd pull.

Not bad for under 300 bucks and it weighs around 5 pounds all in.

My buddy has a Tanaka top handle (no longer made Japanese saw) that is a gem. The Echo is a dead wringer for it. I believe Makita absorbed Tanaka and are made in China now.

 

So its lighter than an Echo 2511....

 

Cannot say as I don't have one.

 

The 271’s are alright but they aren’t the “best” echo top handles.

negative ghost rider