288XP vs PS7900

[Lightning Performance]

Between Al’s food and all the good people there just isn’t a whole lot of time to run saws.

Only time for cant races, BS and good food.

 

[mdavlee]

7900 for me. 288 sounds good but I never cared for them much compared to more modern saws.

 

[XP_Slinger]

Between Al’s food and all the good people there just isn’t a whole lot of time to run saws.

That’s it in a nutshell.

 

[MustangMike]

I love GTGs, meeting/talking to great people, and running lots of great saws (most of them heavily worked). But it is rare that I don't watch the pics + vids afterwards and wish I had not run just a few more that I did not realize were there! You just can't be everywhere at once!

Kinda keeps me always looking forward to the next one … and new stories, some new people, and some new saws!!!

 

[TreeLife]

I wish my time/money would align properly so I can enjoy a gtg again at some point!

 

[sawfun]

Now a more interesting discussion would be the 064 vs 288. Saws that actually compare with each other from the factory during the same time period.

I think the Jonny 930 super belongs right in with those two.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Between Al’s food and all the good people there just isn’t a whole lot of time to run saws.

Harrumph buddy! I don't think I need to bring a single saw and I'd still have a blast.

 

[Spike60]

I think the Jonny 930 super belongs right in with those two.

Yup, I always think 920/930 along with the 288. Or the 064 like Mason mentioned.

This is an odd comparison thread to begin with. Different sized saws from different eras. I always thought of the 7900 as the factory big bore of a 70cc class saw that we wish everyone else would have offered. 288 is a larger 90cc class saw from another time.

Different saws separated by displacement, weight and years. Maybe the best answer is one of each.

 

[00wyk]

For cutting big wood, especially hardwoods like oak, it's hard to replace a 288 - which can pull a 3 foot bar all day long and oil the hell out of it. It is a bit over built, even for nearly 90ccs, and it guzzles fuel. But it does put most of that fuel to good use. The 7900 is 2 pounds lighter. If I were felling all day long, I would go with the 7900 over a 288. But, so we're clear, these two saws are in entirely different categories. I use an 044 for most work, and rarely wish I had a 7900 instead. But there are times I sure as hell do need the 288.

 

[MustangMike]

Good info, but some clarification please! That last scale is different, so that is 13.5 lbs (or to compare, 13 lb 8 oz)?

Also, is that a 10 mm or 12 mm 044?

Thanks.

 

[00wyk]

13 and a half pounds with small clutch cover and non HD filter- 10mm if I recall. It's not my own saw, tho.
Mines a 10mm with a large clutch cover. Still, it feels almost like a 60cc saw when you pick it up. And it cuts exactly like this - and it's not ported - just an ignition advance:

 

[MustangMike]

Yea, they are great running saws and pretty light for 70 cc.

Mine has muff mod, timing advance, the oval winter (screen) filter and base gasket delete.

It is a Red Lever saw with KS slant fin jug.

 

[sawfun]

Now if your looking for a nice lightweight 5 cube saw, give the 505 Poulan a go. Mine weighs almost exactly 2 lbs less than my 390xp. Both empty, big dogs, full wrap. And the 505 has the handle a bit more forward and balances much better with longer bars. My 505 weighs around 4 oz more than my 046, so that's about the same as a later 064, but way more umph. That ported 505 runs right with that ported 390 powerwise. I have no doubt that the 390 has a heavier case and larger bearings, but unless you are a full time faller, I doubt you'd ever realize a difference. For that matter that is why the 064 weighs less than the 066.

 

[AlfA01]

Not that I'm admitting to aging...but after breaking a vertebrae several years ago, I tend to avoid the heavy saws for extended periods of use the older I get.

I don't shy away from using heavy saws, but I will choose the lighter faster model every time. I love a 288, but for a daily driver 7900/10 for me.

 

[Stump Shot]

Surprised no mention of the 281XP.

 

[TreeLife]

Surprised no mention of the 281XP.

I mentioned mine on page one, sir I LOVE my 281.

 

[Stump Shot]

I mentioned mine on page one, sir I LOVE my 281.

Sorry, I misseded it.

 

[huskyboy]

 

[Firewood Bandit]

I've got a 288 that has been rebuilt with all OEM parts and a little love, and have a stock 7900. The 7900 isn't even close running a 24" bar when buried.

 

[00wyk]

I think really all we need to know about the 288 is that it's been around since the 80's and folks are still using it for heavy work. They pull long bars in hard woods without a problem, and oil them like the freakin Valdez.

Most all of this was cut into smaller pieces by my 281xp so we could chunk it down with saws less able.

If you remove the 7th mount and outer dawg on the rubber AV models as I have, you then have a sub 16lb 88cc saw.