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Help me decide 550xp or 545

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I am wanting to buy a new saw and have been kicking the idea of either a 550xp or a 545. Price is about 100 difference and I would like to hear the difference in the saws. Are they close to the same as far as power and feel? I know they show about .4 hp rating difference. how does that translate into the real world? I will probably run a 16" b/c combo and just use it for limbing and small wood. I found a video of them both and there's about a second difference in this video. (Idk why they compared the two to a 390)

 

Ktoom

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I owned both saws 2 years ago. In big wood, both the saws felt equal. As the wood got smaller, you would notice the rev boost a lot more on the 550xp. It just comes down to your cutting situation.

Ive been using a 550xp at work for almost 2 months now. We r cutting anything from vines to brush to sappling's to tree's. I really like the rev boost or higher rpms of the 550xp, for getting through the vines and small stuff quickley. When I cut at home with my mmws 261, i can tell that it doesnt rev as high as the 550xp.
 

RIDE-RED 350r

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Well, I have run a 550 at work and it is a nasty little saw.

I haven't run a 545, but I do know it is a mag case saw and comparing it to a 550 is much like comparing the 555 and 562. The basic construction is of the same quality and extra $$$ spent on a 550 over the 545 and 562 over the 555 is for a hotter running saw.

Having said that, it's really up to you to decide if you want to pay for that extra spunk or not. The build quality is pretty much the same and you should be able to expect the same level of longevity with the 545 as you get with the 550.

I agree on wondering why they threw the 390 into that comparison... Yeah it's the fastest, but where the 390 will really blow the doors off the 50cc saws is in much larger wood.... Kinda strange.
 

panteliss

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I dont know , but the 562 can run and a smaller bar or i am wrong ?
 

decableguy2000

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New new, or new to you? Either way congratulations.

Jeremy
 

rburg

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I have a ported 550 and a stock 2252. The 550 is stronger and louder but if I am actually working with one instead of playing I would just as soon use the 2252.
 

CR888

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My 550 has a 555 clutch cover so its all orange. While I have not run a 545 and would like to buy one, if I had to pick one I'd take the 550 for the same reasons Ktoom posted above. Essentially its a 50cc limbing saw so you want that super fast spool up. Like Ktoom I have a ported ms261 and the stock 550 leaves it for dead as far as throttle response. I like that instant light switch speed spool up, the 550 does this exceptionally well.
 
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