I thought she was going to, but I guess we got busy and she forgot. I mentioned it to her late Saturday afternoon, maybe another time.
The 250 cuts very good for what it is. I just sold my 250 last week. It has the easy start and tool chain adjuster. I am hoping to sell more saws and use that money that money to get a 500i.
I have a 250 (16" bar), 290 (20" bar) and 362-CM (20" bar). In my opinion, the 250 puts the 290 to shame. If I'm cutting firewood only, I'm grabbing the 250. The one redeeming quality of the 290 is that it's very easy to get started. The 250 can be a bear and easy to flood if you don't hear it burp. The 362 is clearly above the others; However, I don't always need that much juice.
Any specific suggestions? I have a 290 that needs opened up, but I don't want to make it belligerently loud...
Here is a video I did on the 290 muffler mod. It gives you a good increase in power and it is not crazy loud.
On the 25o, if it doesn't burp in 3 pulls, take it off full choke anyway and try starting it on high idle. I never pull mine with full choke more than 3 or 4 times. If it has been sitting for a week mine will take 6 pulls, 3 on full choke and then it always starts on the 3rd pull after flipping it to high idle. If it's cold but was just run yesterday, it usually burps on the 2nd full choke pull and then starts on the first or second pull after flipping it back to high idle. Warm starts are first pull almost every time. Mine has a muffler mod and the high jet backed out about 3/8 of a turn, but I keep it tweaked in pretty well. I tune by ear and keep it so it "cleans up" in the heart of a 6" hardwood round.