Echo 680 saw

[BobG_in_VA]

Well, I guess I can pre-date pretty much all of you...I've had an Echo CS-6700...(this was the original big echo...I've had mine for literally 25 years,,, and replaced the clutch once and the manual oiler pump. It came with a 24" bar and cut so fast it was scary...I got an extra 20" Oregon bar/chain for most work, but still put the 24 on for the big stuff...It still starts right up, idles perfectly and still cuts so fast its scary..I'm 61 and still cut firewood for myself and 3 good friends on their farm...PS: Not sure about any of the other makes, but if the saw you look at doesn't have a manual oiler, forget it..as you'll eat up bars/chains at least twice as fast. BobG in VA

 

[s219]

derek, any power ratings you find outside the US won't be relevant here. Due to EPA regulations, US saws tend to have a different muffler and/or carb tune.

 

[LD1]

derek, any power ratings you find outside the US won't be relevant here. Due to EPA regulations, US saws tend to have a different muffler and/or carb tune.

That only lessens the power here in the USA if that is true. And 4.4HP out of a 68cc saw is nothing to brag about.

There is no doubt that the echo is a good, solid, and reliable saw. And it should provide you with years of service if that is what you are looking for.

But if you are looking for the fastest cutting (and still reliable) saw for $600 ballpark, the echo certainly isnt it.

To answer the question about the 570, NO it is NOT a homeowner saw. It is much closer to a pro saw than a homeowner. Husky likes to call it a "landowner" grade. But it is built like a pro saw, just a little heavier and somewhat de-tuned. The dont have as agressive porting and cylinder design. Thus the lower power and NON XP markings.

I have never ran them side by side, but the 570 is a good saw. And if HP #'s are accurate, the 570 should be a good bit faster than the 680.

Considering The dolmar 6400, Husky 570, and Echo 680 are all within a few bucks of each other, similar size and weight, Those are the three I would personally look at if I were in your shoes. Sure, the 372XP or 7900 dolmar are going to be faster, but @ ~$200 more money too.

Those three saws are close. I There is no noticable difference in speed between the 6400 and 570. I imagine the echo is nipping on the heals too. It all comes down to what YOU like the best. As far as how the saw feels in your hands. They are all good quality:thumbsup:

 

[xyz123]

I owned a 570 in like brand new cond I took in once. It is a 575XP with just smaller bore and low top air filter.
Runs real good for it's size and price.

 

[MiserableOldFart]

I have two Echo saws, a CS 500 VL that's getting close to 30 years old and a CS 300 about 10. Both have been outstanding saws, are exceptionally well built and reliable.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy an Echo saw, but I have been thinking for a full year about a replacement for the CS 500 VL, mainly because it has no chain brake, and I stupidly didn't add one when they were available.

I've considered a number of options from the cheap (recon Husky 455 for $300) to the very expensive (Husky 372 XP for $800) and all in between (Echo CS 600P ad nauseum) and still haven't made the decision, lol. Now Husky has thrown the 365XP into the mix to complicate things even more.

When I bought my Echo 30 years ago, a good number of pros in the area were using them. I think most now use Husky and Stihl. Dealers are pretty scarce, and dealers who actually stock them are scarcer still. On the other hand, I've never needed one - so it doesn't seem to be a very big deal. The five year warranty is a big selling point for the Echos.

Bottom line is I wouldn't hesitate to buy any Echo product from a quality standpoint, with the exception of some of the bottom saws I have seen in the big box stores. That is a very big saw you are considering, and assuming you have plenty of chainsaw experience, would be a good choice if you have the big work to do, the experience and strength to handle it, etc.

There is also a very nice looking Makita DCS6421 available for $600 that's worth a look too, IMHO, and of course, to make matters more complicated ;-)

 

[derek01]

Thanks for the help all I decided to buy the husky 570 got it on line for 600 with 24" bar I will let you know now it all works out

 

[red44]

I realize this thread is a couple years old now, but I just bought a left-over CS-680. I went with Echo because my 20year old small Echo is still going strong, however I do have a concern. That is with the carb limiter caps, and what I've been reading about Echo saws being set lean to pass EPA crap, and some saws are burning up quick. Yet if you pull the caps to fatten the mix, your SOL on your warranty. Just wondering if there are any 680 users here and how long have you used it, did you pull the caps or leave well enough alone?

 

[LD1]

You dont just go by what others say, and then start messing with the screws.

If the saw is indeed running lean, the only two options are the dealer, or take the caps off if they dont allow enough adjustment as is.

But if everything is fine now, dont mess with it.

 

[xyz123]

I've heard that too, but havent had a new echo in my hands.

Is it lean sounding or by looking at plug? If you cant tune by ear or plug, do you have a tach? Then again if you dont know have a dealer check it.

Me if it was lean, I would pull the epa caps, adjust and put the caps back on.

 

[mountainlake]

If it's really screaming and kinda doggy it's lean, pull the caps and tune right and as mentioned put them back on, no one will know. Put them back on so you can adjust a little either way.. The last new Echo I bought a CS500p was tuned dead on but I pulled the caps just to make sure, No cat in the muff and can be opened up with removing 4 screws which it needed as usual. Steve