Looking for my first chainsaw: Stihl MS251 or Jonsered 2255?

[s219]

The more I read the more confused I get. However, I think I've narrowed down the attributes that are most important to me. 1) reliability 2) longevity 3) weight. I'm just unsure of the best way to get there. I think the Husq 455/2255 is out. They more I read about the Echo saws the more I like them. The CS-400 seems like a real winner in this price/category.

The CS-400 is a nice little saw -- I have one that has gotten quite a lot of use. But it's fairly small and comes with a low profile bar and picco-chain, so it's more of a yard/storm-cleanup saw for suburban dwellers, or a nimble trimming/limbing saw (as I most often use it). I'd probably move up to a 50cc saw for more general overall use. The Echo CS-500P is a real sweetheart worth checking out. The older 450 is decent too.

I am a Stihl man for the most part, but own two Echos and they are consistently and reliably easier starting than my Stihls. The Echos have a good warranty and good build quality. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one.

 

[TomSeller]

I'd probably move up to a 50cc saw for more general overall use. .

I agree. If I had only one saw, it would be a 50cc.

I always have 3 saws with me, a 30cc, 50cc and 70cc

 

[econometrics]

The CS-400 is a nice little saw -- I have one that has gotten quite a lot of use. But it's fairly small and comes with a low profile bar and picco-chain, so it's more of a yard/storm-cleanup saw for suburban dwellers, or a nimble trimming/limbing saw (as I most often use it). I'd probably move up to a 50cc saw for more general overall use. The Echo CS-500P is a real sweetheart worth checking out. The older 450 is decent too. I am a Stihl man for the most part, but own two Echos and they are consistently and reliably easier starting than my Stihls. The Echos have a good warranty and good build quality. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one.

I have an Echo CS-330. It is a little monster. After an initial tune up, it has run unbelievable well and has cut down trees it never should have.

I've always used Echo products in years of lawn care, and they've always been superb.

I'm looking at a CS-590 as a new saw. I just cut up a 20" pine with my 14" CS-330, so I figured it was time to get another saw that's a little beefier, ha!



No knock on Stihl at all. I've just been sold on Echo - especially after clearing nearly 5 acres with that 14" CS-330!

 

[murphy1244]

I have an Echo CS-330. It is a little monster. After an initial tune up, it has run unbelievable well and has cut down trees it never should have.

I've always used Echo products in years of lawn care, and they've always been superb.

I'm looking at a CS-590 as a new saw. I just cut up a 20" pine with my 14" CS-330, so I figured it was time to get another saw that's a little beefier, ha!

View attachment 361879

No knock on Stihl at all. I've just been sold on Echo - especially after clearing nearly 5 acres with that 14" CS-330!

I just that saw late last year with a 20" bar

 

[econometrics]

I just that saw late last year with a 20" bar

I saw that in a thread I searched for earlier. It helped me feel more comfortable about moving forward knowing you decided to buy one as well!

 

[2458n]

I am amazed at the brand loyalty shown to the various saws. I am guilty of buying just about anything at a auction if it appears to be selling cheaply. Using this method of thinking I find myself with a wide collection of saws from the different makers. The best saw is the one that starts easy and carries a freshly sharpened (sp) full chisel chain. Running a 42 inch bar with the full chisel skip chain ,and enjoying cutting some bigger Ash trees. Buy what feels right to you.

 

[mountainlake]

I have all brands over here and a Echo CS400 is my favorite, light; starts great, built good, cuts as fast as 50cc home owner Stihl and Husky saws, reasonable with reasonable parts, the only downside is they need to be tuned before running them. On the Stihl side the 025 MS250 was Stihls best homeowner saw as it cuts just about as fast as the over rated MS290 and is a lot lighter, kinda hard to work on. Steve

 

[Mattc8832]

I had a Stihl 026 and 034 and should have kept them but they needed a lot of work so I sold them both for $450 bought me a new MS 291 and I really like it. I should have kept the old stihls but I priced carbs , pull ropes , part housing parts and possible rebuild kits and it would have run me about $350. So I sold them and bought a new saw. I do not burn wood I only use a saw about 3 times a year. I have a friend up north that uses Echo Saws and he loves them - He burns wood and sells woods and echo saws have never let him down.

 

[EddieWalker]

I have two Stihl chainsaws and they work great. I also have one Echo chainsaw and an Echo weedeater. Echo is a lot easier to start and I prefer it over Echo. I wont' buy another Stihl brand product. Not that there is anything wrong with Stihl, it's just not as nice as Echo.

Eddie

 

[s219]

Yep, easy consistent starting is one reason this Stihl man has a lot of respect for Echo. It really makes an impression on anyone who has fought to get a saw started. I remember once getting a tree off a neighbors house. We roped his Stihl 250 up to him, and the SOB would not start, darn near tiring the poor guy out. Sent an Echo up and it was going on one pull. Times like that, reliable starting is a must. That's the main reason my top handle tree saw is an Echo. No time for games when I'm on a ladder, roof, or in a tree. The saw needs to fire up in one pull without shenanigans.