I just found this thread. I've been looking for a mid size saw lately to have ported, but new tech and design features, and cheaper quality of today's equipment has about scared me away from all options out there. I'm starting to wonder if I should try building my own saw from scratch (almost scratch). Maybe even end up selling them, just not on a mass produced scale.
It would be hard for me to make a light weight and durable one without advanced plastic and magnesium manufacturing tools, but perhaps I could aim for a lot of power from a small engine with porting, reed or rotary valves, and charging off an oversized flywheel impeller.
I was looking at a Husqvarna 550 or Stihl 261, but a lot of research and thinking and downsides to both brands or saw models has left me thinking I could do better at building what I want.
It just makes you wonder where the world will end up in 20 years. Will every piece of tech be a highly advanced expensive piece of fragile junk?