Stihl vs Husqvarna

[JeepHead]

I want a top handle saw and I am set on getting an Echo. My current debate is the 2511 or the 2500t battery saw. Reviews are great for both. As much as I would love the gas saw because its what I am used to, I think I will end up with the battery saw. I already have echo batteries and I feel more comfortable teaching my son on the battery.

Just keep in mind that batteries don't last forever, and IF they're still available down the road, they won't be cheap. A good gas powered pro saw is something that can be handed down to the next generation(s), but a battery saw most likely not.
You would not be disappointed with the 2511. I own a fleet of saws considering I use and collect them, but the 2511 is probably my favorite of them all.

 

[xyz123]

I want a top handle saw and I am set on getting an Echo. My current debate is the 2511 or the 2500t battery saw. Reviews are great for both. As much as I would love the gas saw because its what I am used to, I think I will end up with the battery saw. I already have echo batteries and I feel more comfortable teaching my son on the battery.

I'm impressed watching that little 2500 by folks showing them in my group compared to 2511.

Love to have their set up for my wife too. But years ago bought her a cheap set up in chainsaw and pole saw and many other things. So invested in wrong direction right now.
She been using them while I have been on the mend with broken ribs. So their paying off still today.

 

[xyz123]

Just put a versa cut on the 4910. Liking it so far!

Keep me in loop as far and any issues.

 

[walhondingMF]

Just keep in mind that batteries don't last forever, and IF they're still available down the road, they won't be cheap. A good gas powered pro saw is something that can be handed down to the next generation(s), but a battery saw most likely not.
You would not be disappointed with the 2511. I own a fleet of saws considering I use and collect them, but the 2511 is probably my favorite of them all.

I have thought of that potential issue. My solution is this..
The local battery repair shop told me which brand batteries they can fix or not fix. I went with echo because their base platform comes from a larger manufacturer they can repair and see being repairable for years to come. Echo, stihl and husky are all pushing their lines to pros so their should me movement to keep these options fixable. I did not go with ego or ryobi for this reason.

I still haven't ruled out the 2511 though. The biggest push for the electric is because it has more safety features. I would be more comfortable with my son learning on it.

 

[xyz123]

Throw this here too.

Dont know if you been keeping up with Ed and his troubles with stihl in Canada.

Dec 2024 = I bought a couple new 462 arctics and both are junk, mtronic is way to lean , both saws are back at stihl with couple hours on them waiting to see if they will fix them

Dec 2024 I bought 5 saw stihl saws , 3 new 500i and 2 462 arctics , both 462s will not run to save their souls , the mtronic is all over the place trying to set the motor so they are back at Stihl , I have owned alot of mtronic saws and these are the first junk ones I have gotten .
Now the 500i , one runs great , the other 2 run great if you can get them primed so I took the primer bulb out to see why it was sucking as much air as fuel , the groove the bulb sits in is a couple thou bigger than the bottom part of the primer bulb so of its going to suck air plain and simple and another thing , why only 2 screws holding the plate to the primer , there should be 4 . the primer bulb fits in between the plate and primer , I just put a shim between the primer bulb and the plate and problem is fixed , make sure shim does not have a sharp edge that will cut the bulb.

Ed = Have not heard back much from stihl other than both saws are junk , will see what they do about if anything.
I think the one saw had 1.6 hours on it but never ran any good out of the box , other saw was just under 5 hours .
If they do nothing that will cost them alot more in the end . I told stihl to really fix those saws proper or just keep them and I will eat the over 3 grand I got in those 2 saws and carry on running something else.

Today 2025 not going good and Ed buys alot of stihls.

Not going good for Ed = Well I had the other guy contact me that had the other 462 Arctic out of the 11 that were sold in my area , It blew up in about 3 hours run time , Stihl is not going to fix it , blaming fuel but he was running their fuel in a can .
Another guy that I knew quite well that cuts firewood just for himself that has bought a lot of stihl saws and weed wackers bought a 500i that had a problem , he took it back to dealer and dealer told him No Stihl was not going to fix it , Saw was 92 days old , When he bought it they told him it had a 1 year warranty now they told him they changed that rule to 90 days even thou I'm sure his saw would not have 10 hours on it cause he works a lot of hours at his real job .
He phoned Stihl head office here in Canada and they told him to bad so sad. I can tell you every stihl machine he owns is now for sale and the Husky dealer is loving it , the group of guys around here including me have bought a fair number of husky saws in the last 4 months

 

[Hay Dude]

Well, poop, I guess I better sell all my stihs and buy echos……


Somehow all 3 mine run day after day. Not a big sampling, but it is what it is.
I’m not into brand loyalty, but I kind of fell into 3 Stihl. I did have 2 makita/dolmars and an echo and they were ok, too.

 

[D'oh]

The 064 is a great saw, but with your 500i in the house, I'm not sure I'd even bother! The 064 was the highest HP-to-weight saw they made at the time, but your 500i makes 10% more horsepower at 1.5 lb. less, if all the published spec's I found for both saws are correct.

Likewise with the 036. It's a great pairing for an older 80 - 90cc saw, as they were pretty heavy (16 lb. powerheads), but at only 63cc, it's almost as heavy as your 79cc 500i!

If you're into older saws, the 036 with 064 or 066 combo is a great way to go. Back when I bought them, I'd even argue they were the best saws available, at any price. But the 500i just puts them to shame.

My Brother use to swing an 064, when I was running an 034. you know what? I would grab the 034 for bucking up the 2-3 Cord, Ash/Birch 8' piles. Not nearly as fast, but a whole lot lighter.

Traded the 034 for the 026, and haven't looked back, but I don't put up nearly as much wood anymore. Seasoned, Split, Loaded Level Box, for $100 seems to be the easiest way. The 026 just handles blow down and Yard Clean up.

 

[5030]

I always seem to have a pile of saw logs, mostly hardwood, that I cannot seem to give away so they get roasted instead.