HELP! buying a new saw, what to look for and out for?

[r7000]

gonna spend $300 - $1000 on a new saw. Replace my 18" pos poulan with an 18" new saw.
The power equipment dealer that I plan on buying from carries stihl, husqvarna, echo, among others.

I was leaning towards Husqvarna, the 450 Rancher size at 18", others here mentioned the 5 series.
And then the Echo CS590 or CS-620, which looks attractive first looking at their specs on the website.
I kinda don't want a Stihl, unless someone can convince me.

I want to get an 18" saw, then spend (however much?) on a good lightweight bar.

Looking for recommendations on what features to look for and look out for. Computer stuff? Electronic stuff? Comfort, weight, vibration, parts durability (magesium case all the rage now? ) ?

Which will give me the best flexibility in chain choice if I want to go full chisel?

 

[Lnk]

gonna spend $300 - $1000 on a new saw. Replace my 18" pos poulan with an 18" new saw.
The power equipment dealer that I plan on buying from carries stihl, husqvarna, echo, among others.

I was leaning towards Husqvarna, the 450 Rancher size at 18", others here mentioned the 5 series.
And then the Echo CS590 or CS-620, which looks attractive first looking at their specs on the website.
I kinda don't want a Stihl, unless someone can convince me.

I want to get an 18" saw, then spend (however much?) on a good lightweight bar.

Looking for recommendations on what features to look for and look out for. Computer stuff? Electronic stuff? Comfort, weight, vibration, parts durability (magesium case all the rage now? ) ?

Which will give me the best flexibility in chain choice if I want to go full chisel?

Make sure to also ask which mix oil you should use, lol. I would make sure to get a pro saw if you plan on keeping it. They all make good saws. The echo’s i have used have been great. Handle them all and buy the one that has the best feel at a price you want to spend. I believe the echo’s have a five year warranty if you are a homeowner and not an arborist. Let us know what you choose.

 

[bryanr2]

I would look at-
Echo 501p
Husq 550
Husq 555
Husq 562
Stihl 261cm
Stihl 400cm

 

[FloodWW]

For that price range and bar size, you can't go wrong with Stihl MS 261 CM. It is the smallest "Pro" saw (besides top handles) Stihl makes. It is lightweight for its power, and has a decomp valve, which most don't need but if you have any physical limitations starting a saw, it helps. It will run a 20" bar no problem. You can use Green (anti-kickback/safety-ish) or Yellow (Halloween Horror Movie) type chains on it. I use one day in and day out and it is just a pleasure to cut with. I'm sure Husqvarna has an equivalent but I'm unfamiliar with their model number lineups. I would only go with Stihl or Husky...buy once...cry once...(in reference to spending good money for a quality product that will last)

MS 261-CM on the right. This was the start of my mid-life crisis...still ongoing....

 

[Czed]

gonna spend $300 - $1000 on a new saw. Replace my 18" pos poulan with an 18" new saw.
The power equipment dealer that I plan on buying from carries stihl, husqvarna, echo, among others.

I was leaning towards Echo CS590 or CS-620, which looks attractive first looking at their specs on the website.

Any Husqvarna pro saw

I kinda don't want a Stihl, unless someone can convince me.

I want to get an 18" saw, then spend (however much?) on a good lightweight bar.

Looking for recommendations on what features to look for and look out for. Computer stuff? Electronic stuff? Comfort, weight, vibration, parts durability (magesium case all the rage now? ) ?

Which will give me the best flexibility in chain choice if I want to go full chisel?

There I fixed it for you I removed the piece of *s-word 450 from your list
Your welcome.

 

[2000ssm6]

Hell of a budget range. Ported 261 or 400, lw 20” bar. If you don’t know how to tune carbs, go mtronic on the 261. All the 400s are already I believe.

 

[Czed]

gonna spend $300 - $1000 on a new saw. Replace my 18" pos poulan with an 18" new saw.
The power equipment dealer that I plan on buying from carries stihl, husqvarna, echo, among others.

I was leaning towards Husqvarna, the 450 Rancher size at 18", others here mentioned the 5 series.
And then the Echo CS590 or CS-620, which looks attractive first looking at their specs on the website.
I kinda don't want a Stihl, unless someone can convince me.

I want to get an 18" saw, then spend (however much?) on a good lightweight bar.

Looking for recommendations on what features to look for and look out for. Computer stuff? Electronic stuff? Comfort, weight, vibration, parts durability (magesium case all the rage now? ) ?

Which will give me the best flexibility in chain choice if I want to go full chisel?

Here's a great deal
https://www.ebay.com/itm/305101662267
I owned one for 7 trouble free year's cutting firewood dropping tree's
My friend bought it from me it's still running no issues at 10 years

 

[Czed]

Having owned both a carbed 261 and a echo 590 and at the same time
The 590 is a more substantial saw for felling and blocking and 24" capable of needed
The 261 is a fine 18" bar saw capacity of running 20" of course
And you can nearly get 2 590s for the price of one 261
Or a 4910 and a 590 would be a good all around combo.

 

[bryanr2]

I talked a Friend that was on a budget into a 590 Timberwolf. He absolutely loves that Saw. Bang for buck It’s hard to beat it.

 

[I saw a lot]

I'm really liking my Husky 550xp mk2 and I think @Gentleman is running a 20% off sale yet, that is how I got mine. Echo would be a great purchase as well and I doubt you would be dissatisfied with either one.

 

[Duce]

I do not believe he is buying a new saw until we see pictures of him hold it, photo ID and bill of sale.

 

[Czed]

I do not believe he is buying a new saw until we see pictures of him hold it, photo ID and bill of sale.

If you want a date just ask him out.

 

[Duce]

If you want a date just ask him out.

How many posts is he asking same questions? No, not looking for a date, just proof of purchase.

 

[redneckhillbilly]

for me it came down to dealer support, closest saw shop for me is a husky dealer, and he's fair and honest, thats why he gets my business, stihl dealer is 35+ miles further away, they suck when it comes to customer service so they dont get my business, I would recommend dealing with the best local dealer you have regardless of brand, they all make good tools

 

[drf256]

gonna spend $300 - $1000 on a new saw. Replace my 18" pos poulan with an 18" new saw.
The power equipment dealer that I plan on buying from carries stihl, husqvarna, echo, among others.

I was leaning towards Husqvarna, the 450 Rancher size at 18", others here mentioned the 5 series.
And then the Echo CS590 or CS-620, which looks attractive first looking at their specs on the website.
I kinda don't want a Stihl, unless someone can convince me.

I want to get an 18" saw, then spend (however much?) on a good lightweight bar.

Looking for recommendations on what features to look for and look out for. Computer stuff? Electronic stuff? Comfort, weight, vibration, parts durability (magesium case all the rage now? ) ?

Which will give me the best flexibility in chain choice if I want to go full chisel?

Mag cases aren’t “the rage” now. Saws come in 2 general configurations, clam shell and pro design.

Clam shells have the crankcase top and bottom and cylinder as a 2 piece setup and generally a flimsy plastic tank that holds the engine into itself. Not as durable and more vibes in general. Take more time to work on in general. Cheaper to produce. The StI’ll 029/290/039/390 are an example of a good one. Lots of them out there and pretty good saws, but nowhere near as tough as a pro saw.

Pro saws have a 2 piece metal case with the cylinder attached on top of it. The entire engine assemble can be isolated from the tank for vibration reduction. The top and piston can be easily removed for repair/replace/modifications. The bar is bolted to the metal case, not the plastic engine holder.

A Stihl 400 is your best option. Good dealer support (if you have one local) and good for a 16-25” bar. The echo 590 is the Best Buy out there, but their 5 year warranty sucks. Endless stories online regarding that. They generally don’t honor it and blame the user for the failures. Home Depot, I believe, warranties the saws themselves for some time though.

 

[IffykidMn]

I'm really liking my Husky 550xp mk2 and I think @Gentleman is running a 20% off sale yet, that is how I got mine. Echo would be a great purchase as well and I doubt you would be dissatisfied with either one.

550XP - $530

562XP - $640

On sale until Sept 4th throw in $20-30 for shipping leaves a pretty good budget for bar and chain.

Stihl 261 or 400

 

[Stump Shot]

Go electric, it's the future.

 

[Master Bud II]

Find a NIB Husqvarna 262XP Best Saw For 16 - 24" Bar.

 

[Woodpecker]

Whole lotta wow going on in here

 

[qurotro]

A MS261 and a trip to TN I guess.