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

[Bluegill2]

I understand, but at what cost? The 5105 should be right around 11.5 lbs... right with the 261c.

Like I said the Dolmar is the clear winner compared to the Stihl. The ms261 is the largest pro 50cc made.

The reason I run pro 50cc saws is because I want small, light weight and speed! The xp will be close to half pound lighter. The xp will also cost $75-$100 more than the Dolmar, but be less than the Stihl. 346xp's can still be found for $450-$475, but since being replaced by the 550xp new ones are getting rare.

I'd go with the xp even if it cost more than the all of em! I spend more time running saws than I do on a tractor, so I need to use what works best for me...

 

[TSO]

Like I said the Dolmar is the clear winner compared to the Stihl. The ms261 is the largest pro 50cc made.

The reason I run pro 50cc saws is because I want small, light weight and speed! The xp will be close to half pound lighter. The xp will also cost $75-$100 more than the Dolmar, but be less than the Stihl. 346xp's can still be found for $450-$475, but since being replaced by the 550xp new ones are getting rare.

I'd go with the xp even if it cost more than the all of em! I spend more time running saws than I do on a tractor, so I need to use what works best for me...

Ok good info ... thx

 

[Bluegill2]

Ok good info ... thx

You're welcome! If you can get to a dealer and handle these saws it would help. The size and weight differences aren't huge at first, but after a few hours use they are...

 

[TSO]

Ok ... not many 346xp's out there, but I can get the replacement 550xp for $550 shipped. What makes 550xp a better saw than the D5105.

D5105 3.9hp, 13800 max rpm.
550xp. 3.75hp, 14000 max rpm

Weight is nearly identical. Both seem to have mag components.

Difference is $100.

 

[Bluegill2]

Ok ... not many 346xp's out there, but I can get the replacement 550xp for $550 shipped. What makes 550xp a better saw than the D5105.

D5105 3.9hp, 13800 max rpm.
550xp. 3.75hp, 14000 max rpm

Weight is nearly identical. Both seem to have mag components.

Difference is $100.

Despite the specs, the 550xp will be noticeably faster in the cut. It is physically smaller, slimmer and lighter. Also smoother, auto tune & more fuel efficient.

Not saying the 5105 is a bad saw, far from it. It's just Husq improved on the best 50cc saw ever built, that being the 346xp, made from 1999-2012. That is a very long run for a single saw model! With the huge following of the 346 Husq really had to step it up.

 

[TSO]

So here's a question ...

Stihl ms261 = $620 (plus tax), that's dealer pricing.

Husqvarna 550xp = $550, out the door shipped (online retailer). Local dealer sells it for $579.

Dolmar 5105 = $460, out the door shipped (online retailer). Dolmar dealer sells it for $550.

All three I would say are direct competitors.

Ok ... it was brought up to me that since I can get the Dolmar for that much cheaper than the ms261, that the 261 must be the superior saw.... and there must be something there of higher quality that justifies the cost.

I don't agree, and I suspect you're paying for the name and marketing.

Is there a quality difference between these three "pro" saws?

 

[TomSeller]

Just left my local Stihl dealer. MS291 $450, MS261c (pro model) $620. Tax not included.

Dolmar 5105 (pro model?), $450 total, shipped.

Specs on the D5105 & the 261c are nearly identical.

So that's my current debate ...

No brainer, the MS261. I got mine for 5-something when I was traveling through a sales tax free state.

 

[TSO]

No brainer, the MS261. I got mine for 5-something when I was traveling through a sales tax free state.

Can you explain why? I am still undecided.

 

[Bluegill2]

So here's a question ...

Stihl ms261 = $620 (plus tax), that's dealer pricing.

Husqvarna 550xp = $550, out the door shipped (online retailer). Local dealer sells it for $579.

Dolmar 5105 = $460, out the door shipped (online retailer). Dolmar dealer sells it for $550.

All three I would say are direct competitors.

Ok ... it was brought up to me that since I can get the Dolmar for that much cheaper than the ms261, that the 261 must be the superior saw.... and there must be something there of higher quality that justifies the cost.

I don't agree, and I suspect you're paying for the name and marketing.

Is there a quality difference between these three "pro" saws?

All three are top quality saws. It comes down to small details and which one feels better in your hands.

The Husqvarna & Stihl have auto tune / m-tronic, that's one reason they cost more.

 

[94BULLITT]

Is the MS261 a MS261 C-M? A MS261 C-M retails for $609 here. You can buy them for under retail and get a cash discount. The guy dropped $25 when I told him I would pay cash on my MS441 C-M.

 

[Bluegill2]

The ms261 is Big for a 50cc saw, same size as my 357xp. It's a very good saw, but noticeably larger than the 550xp and not what I want in a 50cc saw. If Stihl could have kept it the same size as the ms260, I would likely own one now.

The Dolmar is kind of in between the Husq & Stihl as far as size/weight, but the 550xp beats them both in handling and cutting speed.

 

[motownbrowne]

I love 50cc saws. Have used 026s and ms260s. I know a guy who bought a 261 and wished he'd gotten a 260, said the 261 was not what it should have been. His wasn't m-tronic, though, which probably makes a big difference.

Personally, I'd buy a used still, or the dolmar (though I like makitas colors better), if I wanted the husky, I'd offer the local dealer the online price. He'll probably take it.

 

[TSO]

I love 50cc saws. Have used 026s and ms260s. I know a guy who bought a 261 and wished he'd gotten a 260, said the 261 was not what it should have been. His wasn't m-tronic, though, which probably makes a big difference.

Personally, I'd buy a used still, or the dolmar (though I like makitas colors better), if I wanted the husky, I'd offer the local dealer the online price. He'll probably take it.

Yeah, I prefer the Makita colors also, but they only rebadged the Dolmar 510 which only makes 3.3 HP and doesn't rev like the 5105.

It is sounding like these saws operate so closely together that either would be a good choice. My main concern is longevity. I don't want another saw that I burn up in two years like my 450.

Anyone have insight as to which saw will hold up the best over time?

 

[motownbrowne]

A lightly used stihl 260 would get my bet for longevity.

After that, I guess the dolmar, since it doesn't have an electronic carb. That's how I'd place my bets, FWIW.

 

[DeereMann]

Just left my local Stihl dealer. MS291 $450, MS261c (pro model) $620. Tax not included.

Dolmar 5105 (pro model?), $450 total, shipped.

Specs on the D5105 & the 261c are nearly identical.

So that's my current debate ...

TSO,

Sometimes the dealer has a test area with a test saw log so you can try out the different saws. Ask your dealer if you can try them. That helps decide sometimes.

 

[sawtooth]

Eco has a 3 year warranty to which was important to me.

 

[newbury]

I don't understand the posts saying that the Stihl Saws are hard to start?..With good gas, proper tuned and cleaned carbs I never have a starting issue. I have 4 Stihls from 026pro - 44mag and never give starts a second thought. 3-4 pulls cold tops.

I think Stihls start from cold different than other saws. My Efco's (35cc, 62cc) it's usually set choke and pull several times. My Stihls (021, 660, 660, 088) it's set choke, pull once to three times until it pops, set choke to half, pull once or twice. Almost always have to set the choke twice.

Just left my local Stihl dealer. MS291 $450, MS261c (pro model) $620. Tax not included.

If you get an older Stihl pro saw running well on ethanol free gas it will run a long time. Minor carb tweaks and an occasional snort of Seafoam has kept mine running well for years.

Ok ... it was brought up to me that since I can get the Dolmar for that much cheaper than the ms261, that the 261 must be the superior saw.... and there must be something there of higher quality that justifies the cost.

I don't agree, and I suspect you're paying for the name and marketing.

Is there a quality difference between these three "pro" saws?

You are paying for a name, but sometimes the name is worth it. Think Ford 7.3

A lightly used stihl 260 would get my bet for longevity.

After that, I guess the dolmar, since it doesn't have an electronic carb. That's how I'd place my bets, FWIW.

A used Stihl is often a great bargain, better yet get 2 for the price of a new one and you should be able to keep them both running for ages.

 

[94BULLITT]

All of my Stihls saw with the exception of the MS170 start on the 3rd pull. My MS 441 C-M is the best starting saw and runs great when it is cold.

 

[TSO]

Well ... I appreciate all the advice fellas. I ended up ordering a Dolmar 5105-20" ... $455 shipped, includes a case also. Now just the wait, but hopefully it gets here by Wednesday.

Hopefully it holds up and cuts as well as all the reviews I've seen. Seems to be a very popular saw in Europe, especially the Britts. After reading some UK posts, sounds like Makita did rebadge the 5105. It's called the DSC5303 (DCS stands for Dolmar ChainSaw)... but they were hard to find here and cost about $100 more than the Dolly (apparently that's what the Britts call the Dolmar saws).

The other 2 saws looked like great saws too. In the end, I can afford ONE saw right now, so a 50cc "pro" quality saw makes sense. And, I just couldn't overlook value of the Dolmar.

 

[TomSeller]

Well ... I appreciate all the advice fellas. I ended up ordering a Dolmar 5105-20" ... $455 shipped, includes a case also. Now just the wait, but hopefully it gets here by Wednesday.
r.

Congratulations. A new saw is always nice to have. Dolmar/Makita makes a good saw.