550xp mk2 or 346?

[sawmikaze]

I’m trying to decide between a ported 346 or ported 550 right now, have run both stock and a ported 346 never a ported 550

Are you actually gonna use it ?

 

[srcarr52]

I’m trying to decide between a ported 346 or ported 550 right now, have run both stock and a ported 346 never a ported 550

The 550 really wins for ergonomics and ease of use. A well ported 346 would probably win in a race but the better grunt of a ported 550 wins for firewood cutting.

 

[Brown8417]

Will get used every time I go to the woods. Along side my XS346

 

[trooney]

Did you ever get the 550 ported and run against the ported 346?

No, never got a chance to. Sold the 346 sometime ago and just got the 550 ported. I've ran it with .325 but wasn't ovely impressed. I'll try 3/8. Kev cut with .325 and it was cutting real good. Might just have been the chain. 3/8 ought to give me a good idea how it cuts against the 346 because thats what the 346 wore.

 

[sawmikaze]

Will get used every time I go to the woods. Along side my XS346

How often is that ?

 

[Brown8417]

Every week end. Weather pending

 

[sawmikaze]

Every week end. Weather pending

What measure are you using to determine which one is "better" ?

 

[jakethesnake]

If you already have a 346 I wouldn’t buy a 550. Cause they’ll both do the same job.

 

[jakethesnake]

My mistake I didn’t read far enough. I’d buy whichever was cheaper. I personally have a 346 it’s cool I guess. The auto tune might be more better

 

[Brown8417]

What measure are you using to determine which one is "better" ?

Just looking for the guys opinion on which performed better if he had run the two together. Was just looking for his opinion.

 

[sawmikaze]

Just looking for the guys opinion on which performed better if he had run the two together. Was just looking for his opinion.

I've used both more than enough, I'd buy a 550 if I was you.

 

[sawmikaze]

If you already have a 346 I wouldn’t buy a 550. Cause they’ll both do the same job.

This too, one isn't gonna do more than the other when it comes to power output..one just does it without tuning it with less gas torched and a better filtration system.

 

[sawmikaze]

Just looking for the guys opinion on which performed better if he had run the two together. Was just looking for his opinion.

So all out speed is what you're after ?

 

[Brown8417]

Really the pros and cons of one over another. Stock I know them both, likely chose a 550. I just have not had the chance to run a ported 550 to compare to my ported 346.

 

[sawmikaze]

Really the pros and cons of one over another. Stock I know them both, likely chose a 550. I just have not had the chance to run a ported 550 to compare to my ported 346.

These guys that time cuts say the 346 with the 357 intake setup and an unlimited coil has a tick or so on a 550 cutting cookies, I don't time cuts so I really have no opinion on that. When it comes to real world worksaws I'm a fan of auto carbs..but.. you might not be.

 

[Brown8417]

I’m not time cutting, no interest it in so many variables. I just like to hear why they would and wouldn’t chose each saw.
I like auto carbs just fine, my bigger concern is that my first 550 mk1 just detonated itself one day it was very strange. But to my understanding the mrk2 is better but I believe I have heard some issues with bearings still?

 

[Stump Shot]

I’m not time cutting, no interest it in so many variables. I just like to hear why they would and wouldn’t chose each saw.
I like auto carbs just fine, my bigger concern is that my first 550 mk1 just detonated itself one day it was very strange. But to my understanding the mrk2 is better but I believe I have heard some issues with bearings still?

Having both, I find myself using my 550xpg for firewood/work duty and the 346xp for when it's cookie cutting time. Why? No idea, just what I end up grabbing every time when the particular need arises. I would think that I could flip that script at any time I wanted to and be just fine.

 

[HumBurner]

I’m not time cutting, no interest it in so many variables. I just like to hear why they would and wouldn’t chose each saw.
I like auto carbs just fine, my bigger concern is that my first 550 mk1 just detonated itself one day it was very strange. But to my understanding the mrk2 is better but I believe I have heard some issues with bearings still?

Having a 562 that also prematurely, in my opinion, let its cages loose, I'd say the 346 is tried and true, tested for 20+/- years. All problems are well known. There's no surprises.

The 550 is still fairly new and on its second platform (basically a redesigned saw.) The 540 was also on its second platform, though less redesigned, and is now on its THIRD rendition. To me, that doesn't bode well, that Husqy isn't getting it right. Couple that with quality control issues.......


All that being said, I may still pull the trigger on a 550xpg, just cause I'm craving a small-ish heated handle firewood saw, and the 562mk2 is a little outta my price range currently.

 

[Brown8417]

Having both, I find myself using my 550xpg for firewood/work duty and the 346xp for when it's cookie cutting time. Why? No idea, just what I end up grabbing every time when the particular need arises. I would think that I could flip that script at any time I wanted to and be just fine.

No matter what is on back of my truck i have a hard time to pick anything up other than my 346, 400 is my next go too. I like big saws but have no real need, they are handy for noodling large maple and oak so i don't piss my back off more loading them in my dump trailer. But that is really it. I'm trying to stay focused on the "smaller" (50cc) saw. i keep going back to it, so i know that is where i need to be. But i still love building saws of all sizes, usually i end up selling them but it is the love of the build. it is like meditation for me, my happy place.

Thanks all for some input, can anyone speak to the 550 mk2 issues or are they pretty solid now?

 

[huskihl]

Thanks all for some input, can anyone speak to the 550 mk2 issues or are they pretty solid now?

They need more oil like the rest of the 5 series