terryknight
Veteran Member
the 290 was nuts. last i checked it was 349.99 or something like that at the dealer, granted it has now been replaced.
Larger Saw Purchase
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I see used 290's for around $300 on craigslist. I can't understand how they bring as much or more than a 026 that is a pro grade saw.
I finally got a chance to drop by the Stihl dealer yesterday to compare the 461 and 660. Both saws had 25 inch bars. The 461 seemed a little nose heavy and the 660 felt really balanced. Even though the 660 was 2 pounds heavier, I could barley notice the difference. So, I'll probably wait for my next purchase when the 661 gets reintroduced.
mikehaugen
Elite Member
I have a 25" bar on my 441 and it is a tad nose heavy. I have heard with a 20'' or the 28'' light bar it is balanced perfect. I have a 28'' on the 660 and it is also a little nose heavy. When is the 661 supposed to be reintroduced?
The dealer is supposed to start the saw when they sell it to you. I have seen some saws that are supposedly NIB like that on craigslist. I have wondered if it is a scam. They could have straight gassed a new saw and threw it back in the box to sell someone a junk saw. Before I would buy any used saw I would recommend either checking the compression or pulling the muffler to inspect the piston and cylinder. All you need to pull the muffler is a T-27 torx.
s219
Super Member
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Be sure not to confuse weight and balance -- they are completely different things. Pick the saw powerhead that has the right size, weight, and power for your applications, then pick the proper bar for usability and balance. It's almost comical to pick one saw over the other based on how they feel at the dealer, especially with no experience running either one in wood. It's about like kicking the tires when shopping for a car.
The 461 is balanced with the standard 20" bar or the 28" light bar (I have both). The standard 25" bar will feel nose heavy. Really, try to handle a 461 with a 20" bar or 28" light bar if you want to get the right combination of weight and balance for "tire kicking" comparisons at the dealer.
As you noticed, the 660 has the extra weight needed to counterbalance the 25" bar. If you go longer than 25" on the 660, look into the light bars, otherwise it will get nose heavy too.
No knocks against the 660, but it's still 2 lbs heavier, and you will notice that 2 lbs over a couple hours or all-day use. Don't confuse balance and weight.
Timbersawz
Bronze Member
Keep in mind that often they are changing saw models due to EPA regulations, not because they have designed a better saw over the old model. Its taken decades for any of the companies to do better than the 242xp or 262xp.
hslogger
Platinum Member
It's not the size of the wand, it is the magic behind it. Large power saws are heavy, and if you are going from the pick up to the pile, well who cares how much it weighs. Generally, the 4.5 cube saws and larger are more BALANCED with longer bars. You get up to the big Stihl or Husky and having a bar under 28 inches is a lead sled. You can cut a two foot tree easily with a twenty inch bar if you have the power and have it set up right. Safety chains while offering a safety kick back measure and smoother running slow down your cutting. Full skip chains are dangerous as can be to the inexperienced and cut like a jackrabbit. Full comp chains cut smoothly and slower.
I have little snotter saws with fourteen inch bars that will out cut something with a sixteen or eighteen that they often come with. I have bigger saws that run up to 42". That means I can cut a six or seven footer with relative ease an safety. People think they need big bars, and you don't. Weight of a saw is one thing if you have it in your grip for a gallon and a half a day. If you are just beavering up stuff for an hour here or there, what's the point?
I have little snotter saws with fourteen inch bars that will out cut something with a sixteen or eighteen that they often come with. I have bigger saws that run up to 42". That means I can cut a six or seven footer with relative ease an safety. People think they need big bars, and you don't. Weight of a saw is one thing if you have it in your grip for a gallon and a half a day. If you are just beavering up stuff for an hour here or there, what's the point?