POLL: Echo 501p or Dolkita ea5000pr?

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

POLL: Echo cs-501p or Dolkita ea5000pr, and why?

 

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

Potential variables that might sway someone's choice:

Do both or neither have purge bulbs? (I prefer no purge bulb)
Do both or neither have my preference of "on/off switch with separate choke lever"?
Does the Dolkita have spur drive like the Echo? UPDATE: Makita has rim drive!
Is the Echo magnesium cased like the Dolkita? UPDATE: BOTH have magnesium cases!
Bar mount pattern to/not to your liking? UPDATE: Makita has a more common mount- K095
A/V mount type- rubber or springs?
Air filter type/style?
The Echo 501p weighs noticeably less!

 

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

For those gurus who've modded both of these specific saws, what were they like stock VS stock, and modded VS modded?

 

[Stevetheboatguy]

I have no experience with the echo. I have a 5001 makita. Bone stock it sucked. Muf modded it was a little better. Ported it is a freggn monster.

That said if I had to do it over again..... I'd go with the echo a second time around. Makita is being killed off, so parts will be a issue.

Steven

 

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

I have no experience with the echo. I have a 5001 makita. Bone stock it sucked. Muf modded it was a little better. Ported it is a freggn monster.

That said if I had to do it over again..... I'd go with the echo a second time around. Makita is being killed off, so parts will be a issue.

Steven

I'm aware that Makita stupidly killed off their gas products- what a foolish decision by them.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Potential variables that might sway someone's choice:

Do both or neither have purge bulbs? Neither one of my examples do.
Do both or neither have "on/off switches and separate choke levers"? Echo has separate on/off switch and choke lever (which I prefer), Dolkita has combined lever push down to stop.
Does the Dolkita have spur drive like the Echo? Both my saws are rim drive.
Is the Echo magnesium cased like the Dolkita? UPDATE: BOTH have magnesium cases! Ditto.
Bar mount pattern to/not to your liking? Echo is an odd bar mount but the Husky 346 pattern can be easily modified. Tsumura now makes bars for it, which I have on mine. The Dolkita seems to have as many options as other popular saws.
A/V mount types? Both are rubber as I remember, Dolkita runs smoother but either one is perfectly adequate.
Air filter type? Mesh or flock available for Dolkita, Echo has automotive style circular pleated paper element which I have always found to be superior.

I have the saws that came before these models, the CS-500P and 5105. The Dolkita has more power and the antivibes are better. The Echo weighs less and parts are by far cheaper and easier to find. My 500P has a rim drive (same part as the Husky 346) I would assume the 501P is the same. The 501P is probably not going to be too far behind any other 50cc saw in terms of power and is still in production so I think that is the smart way to go. One more thing: if you buy a new saw and need warranty repair there are Echo shops all over the place. I honestly do not know where you could get a warranty repair done on any type of Dolkita OPE, they have literally no dealer support around here.

 

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

I have the saws that came before these models, the CS-500P and 5105. The Dolkita has more power and the antivibes are better. The Echo weighs less and parts are by far cheaper and easier to find. My 500P has a rim drive (same part as the Husky 346) I would assume the 501P is the same. The 501P is probably not going to be too far behind any other 50cc saw in terms of power and is still in production so I think that is the smart way to go. One more thing: if you buy a new saw and need warranty repair there are Echo shops all over the place. I honestly do not know where you could get a warranty repair done on any type of Dolkita OPE, they have literally no dealer support around here.

Helpful info- thanks Ferg!

 

[Woodpecker]

I’ll echo what @FergusonTO35 has shared. The Dolkita it a bit stronger but it being discoed is a deal breaker for me. I have had my 501p for several years now. I’ve used it in a light commercial tree care setting for all of its life and it still runs and looks great. @Red97 ( Dyno Joe) had an excellent video outlining the power output of each of the more popular 50cc saws. Sure the echo comes up a little short of the Stihl 261 and husky 550 but it’s not really that noticeable. It’s a saw I recommend to a lot of people in its 4910 variation .

 

[whitesnake]

Yup, echo is light, nimble, and simple. And if you really want more power you can be into a ported 4910 for about the same price as a stock 550xp or 261c.

 

[TreeLife]

No shame in an echo, ever. Great tool for the money. Modded they're usually a hoot, feel great in the hands, simple controls. 501p can be made to scoot quite nicely.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Now that Dolmar has bit the dust I'm all in with Echo. I do like certain Husky products though. My 440 is an awesome machine that performs above it's engine size and price point, as does my 129 weedeater.

 

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

Echo is solid stuff, especially their pro models a.k.a. the X series... I have a 620P, 355T, and 2620H.

I'd like to get a new 50cc, and a new "79cc or bigger"- either ShindEcho or Dolkita on both of those. Some new Dolkita inventory can still be found on the 'net.

 

[whitesnake]

Echo is solid stuff, especially their pro models a.k.a. the X series... I have a 620P, 355T, and 2620H.

I'd like to get a 50cc, and a "79cc or bigger"- either ShindEcho or Dolkita on both of those.

Well you only got a few choices. Little saw I’d go echo, 4910 or 501p. Big saw you got 7900, or echo 800p, 7310 if that’s close enough for you. I have a Makita 64/7910 Miller Mod ported, full wrap, only a few tanks thru it I might sell if seriously looking.

 

[TreeLife]

501P and pick which ever new 70cc class saw that makes you happy. Can't lose with a 462, 572, or 7310 echo. All work nicely, oil fine, start easily. As much as I love Dolmars...and I really really love them, I've been moving away from saws that are old, saws that do not have a network, or saws that don't have a great quantity of parts available.

So I'm moving away from 2 series huskys (which hurts), dolmars (which hurts too) and anything unique.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Echo is solid stuff, especially their pro models a.k.a. the X series... I have a 620P, 355T, and 2620H.

I'd like to get a new 50cc, and a new "79cc or bigger"- either ShindEcho or Dolkita on both of those. Some new Dolkita inventory can still be found on the 'net.

Echo quality is as good as anything out there, and the value for the price is way ahead of all the others. The fact that Stihl and Husky usually have moar powah keeps alot of folks from considering Echo in spite of the aforementioned virtues.

If looking for a big saw, how about go really big and buy a gray market CS-1201? Even paying whatever is necessary to coyote one into the states I'm sure it would be way less than a comparable Still or Husky. Several people here have them, and Echo USA does sell parts for them. The latter fact could suggest that Echo tacitly doesn't mind people doing so.

 

[Duane(Pa)]

on/off switch separate from choke, rubber av, rim drive, ko95 works with minor mod, air filter...meh

 

[redneckhillbilly]

I recently asked my local husky shop what the best bang for your buck chainsaw is, he saids hands down its echo and he hopes to start selling them sometime in the near future

 

[Onan18]

Echo, parts availability and dealer support.

 

[highland_hunter]

Poll closed, but if Makita hadn't killed the Dolmar brand, that would be my choice.

Seeing as Makita, Toro, etc are all killing off gas powered equipment I'd go Echo or another brand and pick up any consumables you might need to run them till they die.

Battery tech not where it needs to be yet, at least in my opinion.