Husky 50cc

[radio]

I am in the market for a new 50cc class saw. The 545 looks good as well as the 550xp. I handled both of them at a local dealer along with a Stihl MS 261. The Stihl did not feel good nor balance well in my hands. The 550xp and 545 both felt and balanced well.

Tell me your experiences with these saws.

 

[CR888]

All good choices IMO, I have a 550xp and MS261. Air filter is better on 261, option for factory double spike/roller catcher is only availible with 261, inboard clutch on 261. The 550 just needs a pull of the cord to restart after shut down where the stihl you need to set the master control first. 550xp is smaller and a bit better balanced. Spool up is faster with revboost 550xp. Finish is better with stihl, captive nuts are better/heavier duty on stihl. Torque is slightly better on stihl. If l had to let one go I'd cry but eventially let the ms261 go before the 550xp. 5 series huskies are class leaders withe exception of the 576xp. But the new updated black clutch cover ms261 is lighter with more power but I have no experience with it yet.

 

[petedaycab]

All good choices IMO, I have a 550xp and MS261. Air filter is better on 261, option for factory double spike/roller catcher is only availible with 261, inboard clutch on 261. The 550 just needs a pull of the cord to restart after shut down where the stihl you need to set the master control first. 550xp is smaller and a bit better balanced. Spool up is faster with revboost 550xp. Finish is better with stihl, captive nuts are better/heavier duty on stihl. Torque is slightly better on stihl. If l had to let one go I'd cry but eventially let the ms261 go before the 550xp. 5 series huskies are class leaders withe exception of the 576xp. But the new updated black clutch cover ms261 is lighter with more power but I have no experience with it yet.

Good honest review there!

 

[petedaycab]

I would love to own a 2253 or a 550xp

 

[sunfish]

545 or 550xp is where it's at in the 50cc class.

353 or 346xp if used or NOS.

 

[petedaycab]

I think the new ms261 may run a bit better than the old one as well.

 

[KenJax Tree]

2252=545
2253=550xp

 

[tlandrum]

those jonsered prices are below my cost

 

[Carbine]

You can't beat a 545 for the money, might be one of the best values in recent years. They do lack a little compared to a 550, but its not night and day.
To most, definitely not enough loss for the price difference.

 

[Genius]

The more I read about the 550 the more I want one.

I have a ported 346, which I love, but the more I hear about the 550 the more I want one.

 

[rburg]

I have a ported 550 and a 2252 (Jonsered version of the 545). I like both of these saws and would recommend either one. The 2252/545 has plenty of power and is about $100 less than the 550. The 550 will have more power. I have more run time on my 2252 than on my 550 and if I was just going to own one of the two, I would just as soon have the 2252.

 

[bryanr2]

I have a 550xpg and ported 2153. Love them both. Ive had the 241 and 261cm. The 261cm was ok. I thought it was a bit bulky. Id lean towards the jonsered 2260 it's the same size as a 261 with a whole heap more grunt.

 

[radio]

All good choices IMO, I have a 550xp and MS261. Air filter is better on 261, option for factory double spike/roller catcher is only availible with 261, inboard clutch on 261. The 550 just needs a pull of the cord to restart after shut down where the stihl you need to set the master control first. 550xp is smaller and a bit better balanced. Spool up is faster with revboost 550xp. Finish is better with stihl, captive nuts are better/heavier duty on stihl. Torque is slightly better on stihl. If l had to let one go I'd cry but eventially let the ms261 go before the 550xp. 5 series huskies are class leaders withe exception of the 576xp. But the new updated black clutch cover ms261 is lighter with more power but I have no experience with it yet.

Thanks CR888! This is just the kind of input I was looking for.

I have only recently heard of revboost. Can you tell me what it does?

 

[radio]

I have a ported 550 and a 2252 (Jonsered version of the 545). I like both of these saws and would recommend either one. The 2252/545 has plenty of power and is about $100 less than the 550. The 550 will have more power. I have more run time on my 2252 than on my 550 and if I was just going to own one of the two, I would just as soon have the 2252.

How noticeable is the power difference? What is it about the 545 that you like better than the 550?

 

[radio]

2252=545
2253=550xp

Thanks KenJax for the prices on the Jonsered's. I have to admit that I am not a fan of the red/black color scheme. I don't particularly like the new silver magnesium cases on the Husky's either. I am leaning towards the 545 based more on traditional Husqvarna looks.

Any references to good dealers and low prices? Local dealers around here will not discount from list price, will not throw in any extras (one dealer said he would throw in a hat) and yet do not offer any services like initial setup/test, free first tuneup after break-in, free autotune measurements, etc... So there is no motivation for me to buy local.

 

[Brush Ape]

Go back to the Stihl dealer and tell him Brush Ape will put you on a pullup/pushup routine and a carniverous diet until the required conditioning level is met for MS261 ownership.

 

[radio]

I have a 550xpg and ported 2153. Love them both. Ive had the 241 and 261cm. The 261cm was ok. I thought it was a bit bulky. Id lean towards the jonsered 2260 it's the same size as a 261 with a whole heap more grunt.

Is the Jonsered 2260 the same as the Husqvarna 562xp?

 

[KenJax Tree]

Is the Jonsered 2260 the same as the Husqvarna 562xp?

Basically yes. Its the red and black version of the 560xp that was never sold in the USA. The difference between the 2260 and 562xp is the 2260 has the small mount bar (like the 346,545,550 etc) and the 562 has a large mount (like the 372, 365, 390 etc), the 2260 has a smaller air filter, smaller top cover and it a little lighter. Performance wise there is no difference.

 

[lmbrman]

I have both a 545 and 550. I would pay the extra for the 550 myself, but as mentioned, both are good saws.

 

[radio]

Go back to the Stihl dealer and tell him Brush Ape will put you on a pullup/pushup routine and a carniverous diet until the required conditioning level is met for MS261 ownership.

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It wasn't really the weight of the 261 but the feel of the handles and the balance. The plastic seams on the rear handle are on the side and do not line up on any of the Stihl saws that I held. The plastic sticks out and digs into the hand and are uncomfortable to hold.

I still have not ruled out the 261 though. I am a bit leery of Husqvarna's autotune and Stihl's M-Tronic appears to be better liked from other forums that I have read.