Stihl MS311 vs Echo CS-590

[Chainsaw]

Got a friend that is looking at a 59-60cc-ish chainsaw. He has narrowed his choice to the Stihl MS311 - 59cc’s. He likes Stihl and the decompression on the 311 for easier starting. 20” bar.

Best price he has found on the MS311 is close to $700.

He also found a NOS from a dealer buyout, an Echo CS-590 w/ 20” bar. Echo is 59.8cc’s, similar weight, magnesium case and has decompression too.

I’m thinking the Echo would deliver the mail similar/same as the MS311 - he wants Stihl, just from past positive experience. He’s never owned or operated Echo.

Which would you recommend and why?

Any info/recommendations is much appreciated!

 

[ammoaddict]

Between those 2, Echo all the way. 311 is just another plastic homeowner saw. 590 is magnesium case, adjustable oiler. It's the most saws there is for the money. I don't think anyone on here would recommend a 311 over a 590.

 

[redneckhillbilly]

I owned a 311 for about 3 hours, I hated it, bought it at a garage sale for $150, used it to make a few cuts while I was getting a load of wood, it sucked soo bad I sold it to the local gas station guy on payments with zero down just so I didnt have to put it away in my shed.

get the echo, leave the 311 where it sits.

 

[Woodtroll]

I can add nothing to what's already been offered except the price difference is strongly in favor of the Echo, as well, especially if it's at a discount off MSRP. But it's not just a cheap saw - it's actually a very good saw.

 

[EFSM]

You can get a 620 for significantly less than 700.

 

[Chainsaw]

Thanks for the replies everyone - much appreciated!

 

[hacskaroly]

If your friend is dead set on Stihl, I'd get a MS 261 (carb or mTronic) over the MS 311. Same power, less weight, and size, 20" bar running either .325 or 3/8 chain, pro saw. A little more than the 311, but worth it. I have not run the Echo, so I defer to others on it

 

[DillonBuck]

I’ll pee in the pool and say a Neotec 6800.
Not sure how they run out of the box. But with a base cut and a muffler mod the one I’m shaking down smokes a 550. There is a 63cc cylinder on the way. And another saw to get a baseline and comparisons as the mods go on. I can’t wait to get to the ported 63cc 372 carb .

 

[2000ssm6]

Out of those 2, 590.

If he is willing to pay $700 for a 311, the 261 should be considered also.

 

[DillonBuck]

GENERIC CHINESE CHAINSAW ZENOAH CLONE FORUM | A Neotec 6800. | Facebook

A Neotec 6800. I cut the base and did flow work inside the piston. Modded the muffler. Not a bit of port work yet. Compared to a Husky 550 the dealer demos. And my muffler mod just because I’m...

www.facebook.com

 

[lehman live edge slab]

The 311 isn’t in the same category as the echo build wise and i honestly wouldn’t buy the 311 anyway since the 391 is the same weight and has way more power. If your friend wants a Stihl the 261 or 362 will be more what he should be looking for. And i wouldn’t piss money away on a clone saw especially if your buddy needs to rely this saw as his only one.

 

[AnthemBassMan]

Out of those two, I’d jump at the Echo CS-590. I have a Stihl MS-261 C-M and it’s a great little pro saw if your friend hasn’t given it a thought. Another thing to think about is the Echo comes with a 5 year warranty for homeowner use, and a 1 year warranty for commercial use. And you don’t have to buy a six pack of oil to get it.

L8R,
Matt

 

[lehman live edge slab]

Out of those two, I’d jump at the Echo CS-590. I have a Stihl MS-261 C-M and it’s a great little pro saw if your friend hasn’t given it a thought. Another thing to think about is the Echo comes with a 5 year warranty for homeowner use, and a 1 year warranty for commercial use. And you don’t have to buy a six pack of oil to get it.

L8R,
Matt

Personally I’d buy the 6 pack of oil for the 2 year warranty and get the lighter saw with better av but to each their own. Unless they truly have a defective part neither one will need the warranty weather it’s 1 year or 5. Well built pro saws just don’t fail for the average consumer that cuts a bit of firewood.

 

[EFSM]

I’ll pee in the pool and say a Neotec 6800.
Not sure how they run out of the box. But with a base cut and a muffler mod the one I’m shaking down smokes a 550. There is a 63cc cylinder on the way. And another saw to get a baseline and comparisons as the mods go on. I can’t wait to get to the ported 63cc 372 carb .

I have had nothing but awful experiences with Neotec’s QC.

 

[ammoaddict]

I have had nothing but awful experiences with Neotec’s QC.

I bought a neotec 395 clone. I had a couple minor issues and Neotec reimbursed me for an oem throttle cable and decomp.

 

[cuinrearview]

I bought a neotec 395 clone. I had a couple minor issues and Neotec reimbursed me for an oem throttle cable and decomp.

Knowing this, do you trust their bearings? Seals? Cylinder plating?

 

[ammoaddict]

Knowing this, do you trust their bearings? Seals? Cylinder plating?

For occasionally use that I'm going to do, yes. For professional use, probably not.

 

[Chainsaw]

Thanks again for the replies!

My friend bought the Stihl MS311 w/20” bar for around $650. It was a leftover and the dealer (hardware store) grumbled they didn’t sell many “big” saws and probably wouldn’t restock. He is happy, got what he wanted and probably will never wear out that chainsaw no more than he uses one.

With regards to the Echo CS-590 w/20” bar…

I went to the dealer that had that saw. It was from another dealer’s inventory he bought out. Chainsaw was a brand new unsoiled/gassed, open box model setting on the showroom with 20” Echo Timber Wolf bar. $400 less sales tax. So I bought it - like I need another chainsaw. Registered/warrantied the saw online, so all good there. Home Depot has the same saw and bar length for $479, so I think I did pretty good.

I have to say, I’ve got both Stihl and Echo. I was surprised by the responses everyone preferred the Echo over the Stihl. I guess I’m guilty as any as assuming Stihl is “always” the better saw.

Thanks again for the replies!

 

[Woodtroll]

Sounds like it turned out well all the way around. Congratulations on your new saw!

 

[ammoaddict]

Thanks again for the replies!

My friend bought the Stihl MS311 w/20” bar for around $650. It was a leftover and the dealer (hardware store) grumbled they didn’t sell many “big” saws and probably wouldn’t restock. He is happy, got what he wanted and probably will never wear out that chainsaw no more than he uses one.

With regards to the Echo CS-590 w/20” bar…

I went to the dealer that had that saw. It was from another dealer’s inventory he bought out. Chainsaw was a brand new unsoiled/gassed, open box model setting on the showroom with 20” Echo Timber Wolf bar. $400 less sales tax. So I bought it - like I need another chainsaw. Registered/warrantied the saw online, so all good there. Home Depot has the same saw and bar length for $479, so I think I did pretty good.

I have to say, I’ve got both Stihl and Echo. I was surprised by the responses everyone preferred the Echo over the Stihl. I guess I’m guilty as any as assuming Stihl is “always” the better saw.

Thanks again for the replies!

Congrats. I know you will like it. It will keep getting a little stronger every tank of fuel until the rings get fully seated.