Dolmar 421 vs echo 490

[Simondo]

Resistance is futile.

You gone all "Hitchhiker "rather than "Time Warp " on us now ??

 

[SawTroll]

View attachment 18296 View attachment 18297 View attachment 18298Full of fluids, 55dl lp stihl bar on 241, 56 dl lp dolmar on the 421, and 66dl .325 husky bar on the 543. For the price you can't beat the dolmar, I've had mine 3 days and I'm liking it... I've got to find a bar this flimsy thing it comes with is junk. What i don't understand is everyone on here and arboristsite claim the dolmar is heavy... I know the stihl guys won't like it but it's lighter than a 241...

Fluids + different bars and chain can screw up any weight comparison.

The Dolmar isn't really heavy, it is just that there are 50cc saw way more capable than the Echo 490 that doesn't weight much more - PHO that is, the fluids and cutting attachment is up to the owner/user. I'm sure the weight difference of the Dolmar and Stihl vs. the Husky would be larger if you put a comparable cutting attachment on that one.
The handling of the Dolmar and Stihl will suffer from the inboard clutch design, and bulk also is a factor.

If you care or not is a different question....

 

[Simondo]

Fluids + different bars and chain can screw up any weight comparison.

The Dolmar isn't really heavy, it is just that there are 50cc saw way more capable than the Echo 490 that doesn't weight much more - PHO that is, the fluids and cutting attachment is up to the owner/user. I'm sure the weight difference of the Dolmar and Stihl vs. the Husky would be larger if you put a comparable cutting attachment on that one.
The handling of the Dolmar and Stihl will suffer from the inboard clutch design, and bulk also is a factor.

If you care or not is a different question....

Hi there Mr ST.
Im a bit on the bulky side ...but my girlfriend says "I handle just fine "

 

[CoreyB]

Ok well I guess I will not be sharing any video. Sorry my Internet is not going to allow it.
So in short these where both new saws at the dealer. Tims repair best dealer in South East Iowa.
Both where bone stock. The 421 had an 18" forester bar and chain (needed to be tightened twice in 10 cuts)
The Echo. The ergonomics feel natural and comfortable. It Starts easy but is just anemic in Stock form and falls short of the 421 in every way.
The 421 has quicker throttle response, faster rpm, better AV, air filter is slightly easier to get open and seems to filter better.
Even though the490 has the g force air pre cleaning it still gets more fines in the filter area.
In the rear handle area the 421 is all rounded smooth and comfortable.
The 490 is squared off leaving sharper feeling and the are some burs left from the molding process.
I didn't get much chance to really dog the saws to get a good feel for torque.
The dealer was surprised at how much authority the 421 had over the 490 he went and until boxed a brand new 590 and prepend it and put against the 421.
I was a lot more impressed with the 590.
And it was clearly more powerful than the 421 lol . As it should be.
In short what I thought would be a much closer match up was completely one sided for the Dolmar. Oh and as far as weight. The 490 felt lighter and better in hand do to the ergonomics until you start them and put them in wood.
Wish I could upload a video.

 

[ajschainsaws]

Fluids + different bars and chain can screw up any weight comparison.

The Dolmar isn't really heavy, it is just that there are 50cc saw way more capable than the Echo 490 that doesn't weight much more - PHO that is, the fluids and cutting attachment is up to the owner/user. I'm sure the weight difference of the Dolmar and Stihl vs. the Husky would be larger if you put a comparable cutting attachment on that one.
The handling of the Dolmar and Stihl will suffer from the inboard clutch design, and bulk also is a factor.

If you care or not is a different question....

i like em well covered

 

[Fishnuts2]

My 421 w/o Cat is consistently within a second or two of my 350 & 353. Both of these have base gasket deleted and MM.

I'd really like a 490,but knowing my other Echo's characteristics, wouldn't expect it to run with a 350 in stock form.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Miller Mod Saws]

Ok well I guess I will not be sharing any video. Sorry my Internet is not going to allow it.
So in short these where both new saws at the dealer. Tims repair best dealer in South East Iowa.
Both where bone stock. The 421 had an 18" forester bar and chain (needed to be tightened twice in 10 cuts)
The Echo. The ergonomics feel natural and comfortable. It Starts easy but is just anemic in Stock form and falls short of the 421 in every way.
The 421 has quicker throttle response, faster rpm, better AV, air filter is slightly easier to get open and seems to filter better.
Even though the490 has the g force air pre cleaning it still gets more fines in the filter area.
In the rear handle area the 421 is all rounded smooth and comfortable.
The 490 is squared off leaving sharper feeling and the are some burs left from the molding process.
I didn't get much chance to really dog the saws to get a good feel for torque.
The dealer was surprised at how much authority the 421 had over the 490 he went and until boxed a brand new 590 and prepend it and put against the 421.
I was a lot more impressed with the 590.
And it was clearly more powerful than the 421 lol . As it should be.
In short what I thought would be a much closer match up was completely one sided for the Dolmar. Oh and as far as weight. The 490 felt lighter and better in hand do to the ergonomics until you start them and put them in wood.
Wish I could upload a video.

l
Very good comparison! The 421 is an amazing cheap little saw. Well built and fun to run.

Are you going to muffler mod both saws?

 

[SawTroll]

....

The 490 is squared off leaving sharper feeling and the are some burs left from the molding process.

.....

I noticed that the Echo saws have cheap/brittle feeling plastic with sharp corners, after handling a couple of them at a dealer (a 500ES and a smaller one).

 

[exSW]

You gone all "Hitchhiker "rather than "Time Warp " on us now ??

Borg.

 

[SawTroll]

My 421 w/o Cat is consistently within a second or two of my 350 & 353. Both of these have base gasket deleted and MM.

I'd really like a 490,but knowing my other Echo's characteristics, wouldn't expect it to run with a 350 in stock form.

That's pretty consistent with the power specs, as long as it was in reasonably small wood.

The power ratings are 2.4 kW for the 353, 2.3 for the 350 and 2.2 for the 421 (and the 490).

 

[CoreyB]

I noticed that the Echo saws have cheap/brittle feeling plastic with sharp corners, after handling a couple of them at a dealer (a 500ES and a smaller one).

The 490 didn't feel brittle and one could quickly address the sharp edges and burs with a bit of sand paper and about 10 minutes. Heck even hitting it with a heat gun would probably do the trick. However I am being pretty critical and one would probably never notice while wearing gloves.

 

[exSW]

Lets move up a class

Cracked this out today. Factory chain.
Had to look down and check. Thought I grabbed this;

I'm a little surprised.

 

[Simondo]

Borg.

Vogon !!... isn't Borg start-trek ??

 

[CoreyB]

Lets move up a class
View attachment 18538
Cracked this out today. Factory chain.
Had to look down and check. Thought I grabbed this;
View attachment 18539
I'm a little surprised.

Don't worry as the 6100 breaks in and put a good chain on it, it will feel much better. Lol

 

[ajschainsaws]

Lets move up a class
View attachment 18538
Cracked this out today. Factory chain.
Had to look down and check. Thought I grabbed this;
View attachment 18539
I'm a little surprised.

great photo what international is that in the background

 

[Idahonative]

It's no secret Echo's need a MM and tune to run well. Some people aren't ok with that and for those people: Move on to something else and don't worry about it. The thing I really respect Echo for is not going to Chinese parts in their saws like the other manufacturers. Everything I've seen says made in Japan or USA. When I see "Made in China" on any parts, it's a real turn off for me since I hate Chinese made crap.

A MM and tune and the Echo's will run right with the others. It really comes down to actually handling the saw and deciding which one you like best.

 

[Simondo]

The 490 didn't feel brittle and one could quickly address the sharp edges and burs with a bit of sand paper and about 10 minutes. Heck even hitting it with a heat gun would probably do the trick. However I am being pretty critical and one would probably never notice while wearing gloves.

The 421 (420) gets a thumbs up from me for fit and finish out of the box. Have you noticed that the Torx size is 27 on the muffler. Stihl's fav size and isn't common in most driver sets over here.

 

[exSW]

great photo what international is that in the background

Farmall 560 diesel,1959 model. Been with me for 25 years.

 

[exSW]

Back to 420/421's. Mine has 50-60 tanks through it. Has literally made me a few thousand dollars in firewood sales. I have zero complaints on the ergodynamics .

 

[CoreyB]

It's no secret Echo's need a MM and tune to run well. Some people aren't ok with that and for those people: Move on to something else and don't worry about it. The thing I really respect Echo for is not going to Chinese parts in their saws like the other manufacturers. Everything I've seen says made in Japan or USA. When I see "Made in China" on any parts, it's a real turn off for me since I hate Chinese made crap.

A MM and tune and the Echo's will run right with the others. It really comes down to actually handling the saw and deciding which one you like best.

Very good point. Even if the 490 would run as good or even slightly better then the 421, I would still choose the 421 based on the AV and other minor differences that are more fitting to me.