Stihl ms200 (not "t") uniqueness and who competes

[livemusic]

As per the manual, the Stihl ms200 (rear handle) saw is 8.4 lbs dry weight power head, 35cc engine. I have seen it listed elsewhere as yielding 2.3hp. If that is correct, is there a saw that competes with that? If not, after all these years, why not? Very light weight and runs great. Did they just get lucky with an iconic design? Or do you think there is a saw that is reasonably close or beats it? Echo? Makita/Dolmar? Those certainly cost less!

I have an ms200 and sure like it; it seems strong to me and I haven't had any trouble out of it. It would be an ms201 these days, and I read on here that Stihl will release an updated one in USA soon. There is another thread on that... it says it will have mtronic 3.0 and a different type of piston, giving power boost. Should be interesting! Only problem with Stihl is they are pricey.

 

[MG porting]

All I can say is that the ms200t is the bad boy of all top handle saws where I live that all my friends with tree services use so it's basically the same as yours but without the rear handle they are fast little saws.

 

[rumatt]

I'm also curious about the new 201. The pricing on the current one is nuts though.

For echo, look at the 361p. 8.4 lbs. 35.8cc

Echo is also coming out with a rear handle version of the 2511 (25 cc)

 

[livemusic]

I'm also curious about the new 201. The pricing on the current one is nuts though.

For echo, look at the 361p. 8.4 lbs. 35.8cc

Echo is also coming out with a rear handle version of the 2511 (25 cc)

I have an Echo 2511t and it is awesome for trail work, it's so light, you can hang it from your belt! I may also get the rear handle 2511 when it comes out. But that Echo 361p you mentioned might be even better for light work like an ms200 does. I find it interesting that the 361p weighs exactly the same as the ms200 and they're both 35cc. Echo doesn't release HP numbers? Whatever it is, it makes you wonder why after all these years, they don't have something more powerful than the ms200. Or do you think emission stuff has modern saws held back? It would interesting to see a head to head of those two saws. The ms200 certainly is a proven saw, very much a reliable workhorse, being the same engine as the Stihl 200t.

 

[rumatt]

If you want to go just a touch heavier look at a Stihl 241.

9.9 lbs, 42cc

They're recently discontinued but you can probably still find them around.

 

[MG porting]

The ms201t there dog's compared to the 200t you have to mod the crap our of them to make them run like they should all Saw's now are that way it's all because of the EPA stepped in and now you're starting to feel it.

 

[pavel408]

For echo, look at the 361p. 8.4 lbs. 35.8cc

and 2,03 hp

Echo doesn't release HP numbers?

It does. In Europe ;-) I believe it depends whether it is obligatory in that country or not.

 

[blsnelling]

The ms201t there dog's compared to the 200t you have to mod the crap our of them to make them run like they should all Saw's now are that way it's all because of the EPA stepped in and now you're starting to feel it.

I would strongly disagree. When they were released...yes. Now...they are a very good running saw. With a simple muffler mod and timing advance, even the earliest run as strong as a 200T.

 

[MG porting]

I would strongly disagree. When they were released...yes. Now...they are a very good running saw. With a simple muffler mod and timing advance, even the earliest run as strong as a 200T.

Yes but with the same mods to the 200t let's say we agree to disagree. Lol

 

[livemusic]

It's the same story as in the OP... as I have continued to research current and older saws, I cannot find any saws that compete with 8.4 lbs and 2.3 hp (Stihl ms200, the rear-handle one). And I still wonder why. It seems all products, within any industry, have become lighter over the past few decades, surprised nobody has bested the ms200. Or even matched it reasonably close. What I'm thinking now is that the ms201, its successor, is the only one! Same drill... advise if you know of a close competitor. TIA!

 

[MG porting]

The 200t is just straight up the number one bad ass all there is to it......

 

[Al Smith]

I've had limited use of a 201T which was an earlier model and quite frankly I wasn't impressed .For that matter I wasn't impressed with a 441 either .I'd imagine by now those problems could have been addressed .

 

[redline4]

I recall reading something about the Echo's and it was posted by someone who uses one on a regular basis.
Maybe @Woodpecker ??

 

[Woodpecker]

I recall reading something about the Echo's and it was posted by someone who uses one on a regular basis.
Maybe @Woodpecker ??

I do use a 2511t pretty regularly. Fantastic pruning saw for up to 6"-8" stuff. Bigger than that and I'm reaching for my 201.

The ms201t there dog's compared to the 200t you have to mod the crap our of them to make them run like they should all Saw's now are that way it's all because of the EPA stepped in and now you're starting to feel it.

Written like someone who hasn't spent much time with a 201 lately. As a pro user with thousands of hours of saw use I sure appreciate the ergonomics and a/v of the 201 over the 200. It's nice to actually feel the beer in my hand at the end of the day. And yes stock for stock they are actually pretty close. You know what else I appreciate? Not having to send the 201 down to be refilled as often as the 200t.

I'm also curious about the new 201. The pricing on the current one is nuts though.

For echo, look at the 361p. 8.4 lbs. 35.8cc

Echo is also coming out with a rear handle version of the 2511 (25 cc)

For the money the echo 361t is a high quality alternative to the stihl saws. I'll probably pick up a 2511 rear handle for a carver.

 

[MG porting]

I do use a 2511t pretty regularly. Fantastic pruning saw for up to 6"-8" stuff. Bigger than that and I'm reaching for my 201.



Written like someone who hasn't spent much time with a 201 lately. As a pro user with thousands of hours of saw use I sure appreciate the ergonomics and a/v of the 201 over the 200. It's nice to actually feel the beer in my hand at the end of the day. And yes stock for stock they are actually pretty close. You know what else I appreciate? Not having to send the 201 down to be refilled as often as the 200t.



For the money the echo 361t is a high quality alternative to the stihl saws. I'll probably pick up a 2511 rear handle for a carver.

I've worked on plenty of the 201s there ok but in my opinion the 200t rocks......