Homeowner/firewood perspective:
I picked up a CS-590 a couple weeks ago from a suggestion by rmh3481. My 031AV with a 20" speed tip is heavy and quite fatiguing to use, even though i resurrected it and runs fantastically for a 40+ year old saw... Got the Echo for $300 as a demo model from a local landscape equipment shop. Seller said it had just over an hour of use on it, but I dont believe him now. The bar looked quite worn but it also looks and feels like a POS. The sprocket has more wear than 1 hour's worth IMO.... Date of manufacture is March 2016. I removed the muffler screen and bottom deflector, "greased" the air filter plenum, and turned up the fuel a little bit 1/2 turn is all it needed, and put on a new Oregon LGX chain. Night and day difference between both saws. Very low vibration, faster and feels lighter.
When comparing chains, I did notice that the Carlton (Woodland PRo) 30RC (on my 031AV) and the Oregon LGX cut differently, 30RC throws larger square chips, whereas the LGX is more thin-longer chips... I may upgrade the CS590 to a 20" Oregon Power Match or a Pro Lite.
So whats the deal with filters? Are they easily cleaned, reusable?