Stihl or Echo

So I borrowed my buddies chainsaw (stihl) the other day because my craftsman was not doing the job. I was stunned at the difference with using a real professional chainsaw compared to my POS craftsman of 6 years. It even had these spikes near actual chain, that I believe stopped the chained everytime the spikes hit the tree.....

Anyway, after borrowing my friends, I am finally ready to get a real chainsaw compared to a POS craftsman I have always had. Echo or Stihl better? Dont reccommend me any other brands please, I only want stihl or echo, and not looking to spend like $800, ill spend a couple hundred. I wont be using everyday either, just every now and then when trees fall in yard due to weather conditions.

 

Your price range of a couple hundred, in my opinion would go farther with the echo than the Stihl. I can't comment on what size saw you would need because you didnt really tell us what you cut size-wise or how much.

What Stihl saw did you borrow from your buddy? that might be a good place to start.

 

Sorry, I believe the saw was an 18inch...I would most likely want either a 18, or 20 inch saw...nothing less nothing bigger. I dont cut through massive tree trunks, maybe like 10-15 inches max, just guessing. And I forget which model stihl it was, but it was a beast and def something id prefer to use over my pos all plastic basically craftsman.

 

In the 18 to 20 inch size you are looking at a lot more than a couple of hundred for either brand. Basically you want a 50cc plus engine saw and those are not cheap for a new one. Used, you can sometimes pick up a brand name saw of that size for that little money like an old 026 Stihl. I know I would not sell my own 026 for much under $300 even though I have had and used it for about 20 years.
Do not buy a saw by bar length. Many saws are sold by bar length and are grossly under powered. Instead buy a saw with the right size engine and fit it with the bar of your choice to fit the engine size. Don't ignore the used Dolmar, Husqvarna and Jonsered saws. They may be at least equal to that Echo you think you want although an Echo will serve you well for an occasional use saw.

 

The pro series Stihl 261 (50cc)will take up to a 20" bar and is very light and powerful.
Retail is about $590

You'll probably want to compare the Echo CS490 (16-20" bar) at $349

For reference(The smallest Stihl [cheapest] pro saw is the 241. (42cc)
$560 IIRC. Will take up to a 16" bar.)


You'll find when the manufacturer recommends a 16-20" bar, what they're really recommending is the smallest size...

 

I have echo cs490 and love it 50.2 cc with a 20 inch bar on it saw is light compared to my other saw or any other 50 cc I used got mine at home Depot for 349 and it has a 5 year warranty already cut 6 Rick's of wood with it so far no problems starts up easy Everytime

 

You're asking for a non existent saw my friend considering Your Price point vs what you want in a saw from those brands.

To me, a guy who sells them for a living, it sounds like a ms251 ($359) or a ms250( on stihl fall dealer promo, for $299--darn good buy imo) would be your best fit for what you seek. Either will run an 18" just fine....20", not so much.

 

Based on the usage described in the OP - the Echo 490 is likely a good pick.

If it was going to see more regular use, I would go with the Stihl 261.

My simple 2 cents.

 

Sounds to me like you should just keep your "POS" craftsman...? Get a new chain for it, grab some files and learn how to keep the chain sharp and that POS will clear a tree now and then when the wind knocks it down.

 

Personally I like echo over stihl. I have 9 echos and 1 stihl and honestly haven't had any problems with any of them. The stihl just feels cheaper and flimsy to me. If echo made a bigger saw I wouldn't have the stihl.

 

You can get an Echo 590 Timber wolf on dealer days for $320ish. 59cc, mag parts, can't beat that.

Coming from a Stihl guy

 

Ok thanks guys for all the great input.

 

If it were me I would put that couple hundred in the bank and save up until I could get a proper saw (proper being a professional level saw). I'm partial to Stihl because that is by far the most common saw brand used by tree professionals. My thinking is if Stihl is good enough for them Stihl is good enough for me. With that said there other brands out there that are fantastic. At the bar length you're talking about you're looking at about $400.00 - $600.00. Because I heat my house with firewood, a tool like a chainsaw is worth spending the extra money on because it's a long term investment. I use my saws a lot (or at least a lot for an overzealous homeowner ) so when you factor in time, aggravation, comfort and serviceability, a few hundred dollars in the initial investment is nothing IMHO. If you only break the saw out once a year to limb something then of course a pro level saw is overkill.

Good luck!

 

The Echo 490 mentioned is a "pro" style saw... just sayin'

 

Don't remember if anyone mentioned dealer support, but...
IMHO, pick a good dealer and buy whatever brand he sells. If your dealer is the local grocery store, don't be surprised when the kid bagging your groceries or stocking shelves is working on your saw...

 

X2

 

This answer all day long.

The 590 is a great saw that can give you the bar legnth you want with the value you need.

 

If you are just cutting a few cords of wood a year, you don't need a pro grade saw. I'll second a MS250. It is a highly underrated saw. The other option is a used saw. You might be able to find a decent 034 or 036 for $350 which would be 1.5hp more than the MS250, but the MS250 should do the job.

 

If you’re biggest concern is money then the echo 590 is your best bet. That is basically a pro grade saw for $379.

 

Sound advice there, and the only reason I could see buying a plastic homeowner stihl (ms250/251) over the magnesium echo 490 or 590.