Chainsaw

[HDoc]

Stihl or Echo?
Don't even try to suggest Homelite, I'm not into throw aways.
I can get a very good price on an Echo at Home Depot with my 10% off and they look decent, but Stihl is list price everywhere but makes an outstandingly good product that lasts and lasts. Never owned an Echo product.
I'm at loggerheads... UR suggestions please.
( 16 inch bar, light to moderate use, no trees greater than 12" mostly limbs and the occasional zombie)

[jocko]

STIHL , they don't sell to mass mdsers either. Other good brands out there but STIHL has to be one of the best. for me I would try to buy local and buy a good brand and most local dealers that deal in chanisaws, STIHL if they are any dealer at all will in their line. Servie has to be something to look at when buying.

[jeepster09]

I agree, Stihl makes good stuff, I have had a Stihl weed whip for over 15 years and it still works great!

[Alfonse]

Stihl or Husqvarna. Husqvarna makes great stuff also, the commercial models are the best. Can't go wrong with either.

[MW surveyor]

Stihl........although Echo makes some good stuff too.

[Bawanna]

I've ran a Echo about the size your describing for many many years. Never a lick of trouble and it cut right along side the big saws too.

Also have an Echo weed cutter and it's still going strong too.

I'm sure like everything else the new ones aren't as good as the older ones, I know when I bought my saw it was a last years model, and the new model wasn't as good.

This would apply to all of them though, Stihl, Husqavarna, all of them.

Still with one of the name brands, take care of it and it'll run a long time.

The killer of chainsaws is bad gas and dull chains. I dump my gas and run it out everytime (or I did back when I was running it).
I touched the chain up the minute it started to not throw big chips.

[jeepster09]

This one for sure....

[jeepster09]

Or......

[kahrnut1]

stihl ms192 is the best if you are going to be trimming because you can one hand it. i love mine. probaly not best if you are going to be falling trees

[Polygon]

I like Stihl or Husqvarna.

[CJB]

From a guy who works with the men who use the equipment every day, there are two brands that dominate down here in S. Florida. Those are Echo and Stihl.

I'm in the market for a new chain saw after my very old (and still well made) Poulon got stolen from a friends garage two years back. I'll be doing a mid sized Echo.

Look at the specs on the Echo's and you'll see some of the mid-sized are as light as, or even a little lighter than the smaller ones. I'll go with weight, and just use a small arm and chain for most of my cutting, saving the bigger arm for "as needed" work.

The mechanics I talk to say that Stihl holds up better for them - these guys are mechanics on golf courses, where crews use (and abuse) equipment daily). They also tell me the Echo is easier to work on, and parts are better to come by - just a phone call away to Echo, whereas Stihl is a bit more of a chase to get parts.

I can't think of any reason an Echo would be more than what I need for home and emergency use.

Also... Home Depot is not a full line point of sale on Echo - you pretty much have to go to a specialty outlet, but a lot of them offer "to the trade" discounts, and also consumer sales from time to time... just gotta shop 'em.

[Longitude Zero]

I have had great service from Stihl.

[HDoc]

Also... Home Depot is not a full line point of sale on Echo - you pretty much have to go to a specialty outlet, but a lot of them offer "to the trade" discounts, and also consumer sales from time to time... just gotta shop 'em.

Does that mean not all models available or cheaper versions of their stuff?

[steve666]

[muggsy]

I wouldn't have a problem with purchasing any of the big three. Find the one that best suits your needs at a good price. Lets be careful out there.