I have all three now ported 088, 090AV, & 090g (66mm) and when the bars get 60" or longer there is nothing I've found that compares with an 090. I have run them all stock as well and would say the 088 just isn't anything close to an 090 period. That said, the vibes of a standard 090 are horrible at best. The geardrive takes away a lot of vibe and the later AV models are great. I've only run one 3120 with the Husky 72" bar and would say the same, just not in the 090's league. Even the great Homelite 3100 and Mac 101's, 125's, 895's are not, nor is the Dolmar 166. Not above 60" bars they're not, 50" and shorter the smaller saws win, and by a good bit.
I know of two loggers that still use them on really big 10 foot+ trees. Both use 72" bars. I lent mine , with 96" bar, to Paccity who used it nicely on a 13 foot Sequoia last year.
