Husky 390 vs stihl 066 advice needed

[Porečka Koza]

Hello
I'm begining to chase my dream of becoming a logger so i would need a chainsaw a bit lighter than my current 066. I came across a 390 husky in a fairly nice condition and it caught my eye. So i am asking what are your thoughts about this comparison and what are the pros and cons of a 390.
The back story of my 066 is i bought it to try out a 90cc saw class because it is rare in my area(mainly 20-ish inch trees and there is not much logging in my area so i am going to move to the better area) and that 066 ended up being a lemon which needed alot of work.

I just joined this forum and realize this thread is a few years old but I've been deciding between an 066 and 390xp so I'd like to see which direction you went in and if you're happy with your decision. I'm biased towards Husqvarna.

Weighing in on the Husky 365 Vs Stihl 044 question you asked below. They are both awesome saws and can put out tremendous power when tuned and ported. The 044 is more powerful stock Vs the stock 365.

I notice you're also from Croatia. Great to see a fellow Croat here. I'm a bit biased toward the old Husqvarna 61's that were produced under license by Tomos in Slovenija. Really reliable saws and can run a 28" bar.

 

[Porečka Koza]

Thank you for the advice.
The 365 option always attracted me the most because first and foremost its a new saw and i wont need to replace half the *s-word on her to make her work in the first place(talking to you 066 you dirty bastard ).
How is the 365 on the bar lenghts?
Does it like a 24 inch bar?

You can buy a brand new Husqvarna 562 XP MK II for less than the price of a 365. It's lighter weight, uses less fuel, and is smaller, more agile. It cuts just as well. It's a perfect saw for carrying into the forest and using for both felling and limbing. It can handle up to a 28 inch bar. I've watched videos where it holds ita own against the larger engine displacement Stihl 400, which costs 2x as much and the Husky saws have been in sale too.

 

[Woodwackr]

So to clear up the confusion.
I dont need a saw for 20 inch wood or smaller that is in my area. I will be needing a bigger saw because i will be moving in the area with bigger wood(probably in the range od 32')
My apologise for badly written post.
So i will try to make a better question.
Is a 390 better saw than 066 in the aspect of reliability,power,durability. Or should i fix up the 066.
Or will the saw in the range of ms440 or 372xp be plenty.
My budget is not huge so i cant afford a new saw.

I know, old thread…but…
No, the 390 is not a better saw. I used my ‘92 066 red eye for many years commercially as a firewood cutter as well as later cutting my own wood…stihl have it. I also have a 390. There is just no comparison in any size wood, imo. The 066 pulls a 42 with ease. I wouldn’t even try that with the 390. Heck, even a 394 didn’t compare back in the day…my 066, 42”, 404, skip vs the boss’s new 394 running the same 42” but 3/8, skip in a big Cedar removal. Not even close.

 

[Jake Dykstra]

I know, old thread…but…
No, the 390 is not a better saw. I used my ‘92 066 red eye for many years commercially as a firewood cutter as well as later cutting my own wood…stihl have it. I also have a 390. There is just no comparison in any size wood, imo. The 066 pulls a 42 with ease. I wouldn’t even try that with the 390. Heck, even a 394 didn’t compare back in the day…my 066, 42”, 404, skip vs the boss’s new 394 running the same 42” but 3/8, skip in a big Cedar removal. Not even close.

O come on. This is a ridiculous statement and comparison.
There is no saw to compare to an early 90s 066. Probably best dang saw ever made! It was the first saw I ever bought.
That said I sure love the feel and antivibe of my 372 and 390 but definitely won't pull as hard

 

[Maintenance Chief]

I have 2 066s , and they are not stronger than the 394xp. Lighter and faster maybe but I definitely feel a difference.

 

[Woodwackr]

I have 2 066s , and they are not stronger than the 394xp. Lighter and faster maybe but I definitely feel a difference.

I was just going by real world test…same log, side by side, several cuts,

 

[Maintenance Chief]

I was just going by real world test…same log, side by side, several cuts,

Yes thats fine, and Im not disputing your experience with the saws you used.
I just own the 394xp a couple of 066s and honestly the 066 is a superior saw in many ways for daily use , but the stock 394xp I own is absolutely a torque monster that has skinned my knuckles dragging me into an oak trunk.
Could be that I tune my saws and the 394 you experienced wasn't tuned well ?
Either way I think both saws are excellent, I have never used a 390xp so no comment.