Dolmar 421 vs echo 490

[CoreyB]

The comparable size Husky is the 543xp....and really it doesn't compare.

Well that would explain why the 550 gets brought up. However I think that is in another world of a price bracket then the 421.

 

[exSW]

I don't think Husky has built a non clamshell 42cc saw since the 242.

 

[Simondo]

Some current info from Husq site.

 

[CoreyB]

Ya

Some current info from Husq site.
View attachment 18804

Looks like the 445 is the closest I don't know how that price compares to the USD, the 421 is $335.00 retail

 

[Simondo]

Ya

Looks like the 445 is the closest I don't know how that price compares to the USD, the 421 is $335.00 retail

The 440 is "more or less" 1 cc less than 420-421 .

 

[fordf150]

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.

ran em both and cant find a single point to argue with here. very good right up.

 

[fordf150]

That's the plan.

18" ps on both saws, cause I have a pair of identical gb bars.
Going to try and keep it fair as I can.

I honestly don't care which saw is faster, I just want to make each saw as strong as I can. And compare 2 ported saws of the same weight/price class.

Thinking 8-10" test log.

add in a 16" log to the comparison.
i wouldnt be afraid to bury a 18" bar with the 421

 

[wildroamer]

I have, and wasn't sceert one bit!

 

[KenJax Tree]

The 435,440,445 are homeowner class saws.

 

[Simondo]

The 435,440,445 are homeowner class saws.

Unless you count the 543 ! ..there appears not to be a 42 cc saw in the range of saws other than the 400 series . You can find semi and full pro in 50cc but not 42cc.

 

[ajschainsaws]

looks like the cs-450 elite is another similar match

 

[SawTroll]

I don't think Husky has built a non clamshell 42cc saw since the 242.

That actually is true, as the 543xp is 43cc, not 42. It is a pro saw though, not a clamshell.

The 543xp is both lighter and no doubt more nimble than th0 420/421 and has the same power rating. It isn't a true Husqvarna though, but a Zenoah.
There have been very few reports on how those saws run though, a I haven't seen a single real comparison vs. the MS241 and/or the PS-421....

Personally, I'm not really interested in any of these 42/43cc saws (or the Echo 500/490), as the 550xp (or 346xp) isn't much heavier, and the power difference is huge.

 

[SawTroll]

looks like the cs-450 elite is another similar matchView attachment 18815

The CS-450 elite is a "cheapened" version of the Husky 445 (clamshell homeowner class saw with plastic case).

 

[Red97]

add in a 16" log to the comparison.
i wouldnt be afraid to bury a 18" bar with the 421

Ok, I'll try to find a nice 14-16" test log for all the tests.

Also plan to compare a 241c against the dolmar...

 

[Simondo]

That actually is true, as the 543xp is 43cc, not 42. It is a pro saw though, not a clamshell.

The 543xp is both lighter and no doubt more nimble than th0 420/421 and has the same power rating. It isn't a true Husqvarna though, but a Zenoah.
There have been very few reports on how those saws run though, a I haven't seen a single real comparison vs. the MS241 and/or the PS-421....

Personally, I'm not really interested in any of these 42/43cc saws (or the Echo 500/490), as the 550xp (or 346xp) isn't much heavier, and the power difference is huge.

Now then Mr ST.
With respect to your good self ....This saw comparison thing can be a tricky old game. For sure there are the basic facts with regard to power ..weight ..bulk and so on.
The 550xp and the 346xp are Most Excellent saws, but.. "I "..personally feel some caution in saying that all the judgements are made against those or any other of my personal favourite saws.
The thing is..there are many Saw makers who make some "Dam Fine Product" so its my belief there will be many different saws I like .I wonder if this "This is inferior" or "not as good as" is really ..Accuracy. With lots of things in life ..cars, houses,books,food, coffee,boats,hi fi ................ we tend to prefer one over another for many reasons that can be individual and not totally down to the facts and figures. Why my Girlfriend chose me rather than George Clooney is beyond me.....
Personally I will do my best to take a saw on its own merit and try not to make it a "This is better than that " Unless its a total dog made out of cardboard and string of corse .
Im all for positive comparison of the outline facts/figures of a saw , but the last ..X..factor is a individual thing "Maybe"?
This is just how I see it of corse and is just a Opinion.

 

[pro94lt]

Sawtroll has valid points... Here they are no bars full of fluids, the power difference is very very very big... But, I got the 241 for the ground man to cut up small stuff on the ground... I'll run the 550xp!

 

[Idahonative]

Compare the stock 421 with PS chain against the ported 490 too. I bet its closer than you think[emoji6]

Never mind comparing the performance of a stock 421 to a ported Echo cs-490...it wouldn't even be close.

The jury is in and @Red97's work proves: When talking about performance, a ported 490 is just too much for a ported 421 (as it should be/Echo +7.8 cc). Echo leaves a lot on the table with the 490/500p. As some have said, they are "huge gain" saws.

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"Well 3 unbiased opinions and 100 miles apart the dolmar was 0/3 against the echo.

Each said the dolmar just couldn't hang with the echo once ported.

Only thing they knew about the saws was.
1) both ported to the best of my ability
2) same bar/Chain.

Didn't want to skew the results.

Wonder what the actual retail price difference is?

Dolmar 16" with the 5105 rim setup.?
Echo retail is 349.99"
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[KenJax Tree]

I would hope so its a bigger saw.

 

[jake wells]

what about the 545 no one ever talks about it.

 

[Fishnuts2]

what about the 545 no one ever talks about it.

I had a 2252 version and it only beat my 421 by a second or so in 14" wood. I didn't think it would be that close but the stopwatch told the story.