A friend has a ms290. He likes it, it his his first non-homeowner saw and the biggest cc saw that he has ran. He likes the power but he has back problems and can't handle the weight for long. I suggested he step up to a pro saw and he wants to buy new. A mutual friend has a Husq 350 that he (1st friend) has ran and he likes it, wants something in a similar weight class. I sent him home with my MM'ed Echo CS-510 to try out. I've been around the stock 350 a lot and think my 510 is considerably more powerful but have never timed them in a cut. Same bar length and full chisel chains, supposedly 2 OZ weight advantage to the Husq. Mutual friend would get his feelings hurt (I think) it the Echo walked off from his 350 like I think it would. Not bashing the Husq, its a good saw. If he likes my 510, I suggested he look at a new Echo CS-500P. I did some reading and obviously Stihl/Husq has a bigger following, but people that have ran equivalent Stihl/Husq/Echo review the Echos very well. Mastermind built a CS-500 that he spoke highly of. So, other than general opinions (@#&% are great/the best) does anyone have any real world side by side type experience? I told him, IMHO the 346xp, 261, CS-500 are all good, probably equivalent saws. I would like to know how these three would compare (speed) after a MM. He just wants to step down in weight without losing power and have a good reliable saw.
Also add the 550XP, 545 (if price is a flinching point) to that list. I have been checking out the Dolmar 5105 as of late too (just dreaming really) but lack of dealer support in your area might be a factor? Some areas have a decent Dolmar network, others, not so much.
I forgot about the 550xp, it doesn't seen to get the attention of the 346xp but also looks good on paper. Not much Dolmar support in this area.
A quick search shows no 261s locally. 261 c-q msrp is $670-690. Husq website has no msrp for 550xp, 346xp-g is $600. 545 is $470. cs-500p is $470.
Autotune (husq)on the 545- good or bad, he isn't going to like the sound of that. Intellicarb-(stihl) is that mechanical or electronic?
I have a cs310 that with a proper sharp chain will run the snot out of its class saws easily. It has fired two pulls every time since I bought it. I just recently gutted the muffler and it runs really well now that the kinks are out of it. The saw will easily sink into wood bigger than the bar and not bog down but just chew through it like butter. My buddy ruins a cs 600 that stock puts his stock 460 rancher to shame any day of the week as well. They are really good saws and at a good price. In case you can't tell I am an echo fan... My next saw will hopefully be a 590 timberwolf.
Very little but it's all been positive. MSRP on a new MS261 C-M 16" should be $600 IIRC. The 550XP is usually $100 more than the 545. Husky's AutoTune isn't anything to be afraid of. New saw comes with a warranty so any teething pains (as rare as that is) will get worked out. The 346Xp is discontinued and very difficult to find new these days. Intellicarb on the Stihl is mechanical, has been around for a couple decades now.
This thread is a little slow, so how about your opinion of Echo? I think we all agree that Stihl and Husq make good saws.
Never ran one or owned one. But the warranty is the best in the industry. Or at least the length? Whether they actually hold true is another story. If it's budget based and the 545 is the same cost? I say 545. But I am in Stihl/Husq band camp. Nothing against Echo. We don't have the dealer network and no one I know owns one. So I can't comment on them.
The only thing I ran, briefly, that was a recent Echo, was a 330 top-handle. Seemed pretty decent. I do have a CS-500VL in the shop right now tho.
I have a bunch and have sold some others. Many of mine are JD yellow, among my favorite saws are the 900, JD 800 (8000) and JD 66SV (610 EVL twin).
Owned a Echo 280e top handle since Dec 1981.Christmas/early HS grad present from the parental units. Wee tough beast,just under 8 pounds.Dont use it near as much now,but have nothing but praise for its durability & reliability.Years ago it was dropped 30+ feet from a tree (on grass thankfully).Dented the sheetmetal muffler/clutch cover pretty good & nothing broken (all mag case with aluminum handlebar,very little plastic parts) but it started right back up. Barely 9000RPM's,no chain brake or even a hand guard (this is one of the earliest models,never had either) but will chew through the toughest White Oak or Hickory with a sharp chain. If it ever dies I'm leaning towards one of their current models as a replacement.
No echo saw experience but I bought a used weed eater off my law care buddy. They ran it till it was old got new ones and I been running it like 4 years. Just had to rebuild the Carb in it this last summer. I beat on it and over work it in tall grass at the farm and it keeps going. I paid $50 for it and have got my money out of it. Prolly could get that if I sold it today. Has an unadjutable Carb on it though. And is cold natures but starts after just a few pulls just do sent like to make power without bogging out till warm. Probably down on power but who knows how many hours r on it.
My pap, uncle, and I have everything from the small top handle saw to the big 8000 we use them hard with no problems. I own stihl, husk, jred, homelite, and earthquake to name the popular ones love them all. Wouldn't hesitate buying another echo.
Echo trimmers are indeed top-notch. My Dad runs the chit outta the little 21cc units. Treats 'em like a bush hog, literally. And both of them are still kickin'.
Both friends and I cut wood yesterday, had a great time. The CS-510 and the 350 were too close to call in cut speed. Both are good little saws. We also had a 290 and my 036 there. At the end of the day, friend #1 decided he is going to try a new Echo. So, I'm looking forward to trying out his new CS-500P. Thanks for your input/advice.
