357xp vs. 362xp

[wildbio]

I just ordered a 357xp but know that it hasn't shipped yet (so may have time to change my mind). After looking at a bunch of threads I'm now wondering if maybe the 362xp wouldn't be the better saw for me. I'm looking at cutting 12+ cords of firewood a year (mostly dead wood - pines, larch and aspen) and a bunch of fence posts. Although I'm not a professional logger I would like the ability to fell a large tree now and then. A 20" bar would be the primary one used but I do like the option of going up to a 24" bar (which is why I'm wondering about the 362xp). I don't think I'll need a 372xp which comes in at about 15 pounds. I do like the weight of the 357xp @ 12.1 pounds and figure the 13.2 pounds of the 362xp (with larger bar mount) isn't a huge difference and is still relatively light. Any thoughts? (the problem with internet shopping is that you have time between ordering and receiving to rethink your choice!).

 

[IchWarriorMkII]

Disclaimer: I have a 361. It is close, but not exactly a 357xp


My saw runs the 24" bar with full skip just fine. I cut softwoods, and any 'hardwoods' that I cut aren't that hard. It does the trick. I'd probably rather the lighter saw that cuts a little slower on the rare occasion I have it buried to the dogs in wood.

 

[wildbio]

Thanx, The MS361 is very similar to the 357xp based on the specs. This will be my first saw so I have no brand loyalty (and both brands are available in the Livingston/Bozeman area). The Stihls hereabouts are a bit pricier than the Huskies. (I'm not trying to debate Stihl vs Husky!!!). The 362xp is also very similar to the 357xp with the differences being limited to (to my knowledge):
362xp is 1 pound heavier and has 0.2 more hp. but also has the larger bar mount (don't know that this matters much to me).
There isn't much for hardwood around here so my use will primarily be softwood (lodgepole pine, doug fir, some western larch (if I head west of here), and aspen, etc). Any 357xp users out there that can share experience with 20-24" bars?

 

[spike60]

362XP will definately outrun the the 357XP or the MS361. But in the kind of wood you are cutting, either of the smaller saws should be fine power wise. The 362 will balance better than the others with a 20" bar.


Personally, any member of the 362/365/372 family, and their Jonsered brothers are as good as it gets. Grab one while you can.

 

[clearance]

I used a 357 with a 18" bar, it was good, it sucked with a 24" bar.

 

[wildbio]

thanx guys. I do think the 357xp will work for most of what I'll be doing. I like toys as much as the next guy (and can see myself wanting more than one saw) but I think I can find one saw to do everything that I'll need to do. (and I'm spending more money than ever buying a fixer-upper house, new woodstove, etc., so need to just buy one saw (the saw may be my only "fun" purchase related to this house....the rest will be spent pleasing the wife!). Any thing bad about the 362xp?

 

[sawinredneck]

From what I have gathered, the 357 is happy with an 18"-20" bar. And if you buy a 362, you may as well hunt down a 372, since you are luging the same weight around!! I looked into the 362 myself, and found the results I am sharing with you.

 

[NYH1]

If I was limited to one saw it would be a 357XP with a 18" b&c. With that said, I'm headed towards a three saw plan. I have a Stihl 021 with a 14" b&c and a Husky 365 Special with a 20" b&c. All I have to do now is get the saw that I'll use the most, a Husky 353 with a 16" b&c. I cut mostly 8 to 14 inch black cherry with a little maple and oak here and there. I cut some 15 to 20 inch trees every one in a while too.

When I went to buy the 353 they had two 365's left. Since they stopped making them and I planned on getting a bigger saw to replace my 029 down the road, I figured I might as well get the 365 while I still could. I thought it was a good deal too, $537 plus tax with two chains. I'll be able to get a 353 any time.

I haven't ran a 357XP so I can't compare it to my 365. I will say that I'm very pleased with my 365. I cut a maple tree down (20" at the bottom) with it and was extremely impressed. This saw just flat out runs! If the 362XP run like my 365 you'll be just as pleased as I am.

 

[NYH1]

And if you buy a 362, you may as well hunt down a 372, since you are luging the same weight around!! I looked into the 362 myself, and found the results I am sharing with you.

From a power to weight stand point you're right. But in my situation buying the 365 made more sense then buying a 372. No one had a 372 in my area. I wanted to buy from a local dealer. One dealer said he "might" be able to get me one. It would have cost $100 more then my 365. The 365 was already $100 over what I planned on spending. All I was doing was replacing my 029. So for me I feel the 365 was a good saw to buy!

 

[wildbio]

The Husqvarna website no longer lists the 372xp but Baileys has them and lists the weight at 14.75 lb (powerhead).
Norwalk lists the 372xp weight as 13.4lb.....
anyone have the correct weight(s) on the 372xp and 362xp? If they are the same then it seems the 372xp would be the way to go.

 

[Big Neb]

I think the 357xp is a more popular saw and as such may have better parts availability into the future.

Also the 362xp has the older style seperate choke control and switch assembly. The 357xp has the newer single system(pull choke and it puts the saw automatically in the run position. I think it is pretty much a non issue just a personal preference decision.

I would prefer the larger mounts as I would run a longer bar, plus the marginally higher hp. I would probably choose the 362xp as the money is very close and they have been running a lot of sales on the 362xp recently.

 

[NYH1]

The Husqvarna website no longer lists the 372xp but Baileys has them and lists the weight at 14.75 lb (powerhead).
Norwalk lists the 372xp weight as 13.4lb.....
anyone have the correct weight(s) on the 372xp and 362xp? If they are the same then it seems the 372xp would be the way to go.

My owners manual listed the 365 at 13.2 lbs. and the 372 at 13.4 lbs.

 

[SawTroll]

The Husqvarna website no longer lists the 372xp but Baileys has them and lists the weight at 14.75 lb (powerhead).
Norwalk lists the 372xp weight as 13.4lb.....
anyone have the correct weight(s) on the 372xp and 362xp? If they are the same then it seems the 372xp would be the way to go.

When they were tested by DLG/KWF in Germany, the 372xp (empty powerhead, with the low filter and cover) was 6.4 kg and the 362xp was 6.1 kg.

For comparison, the 357xp was 5.9 kg, and the MS361 5.6 kg.

 

[clearance]

Get the 372, quibbling over wieght like a bunch of women, c'mon.

 

[SawTroll]

Get the 372, quibbling over wieght like a bunch of women, c'mon.

Sort of agree, I don't want most of the 372xp weight, without all the added power, over the MS361. :greenchainsaw:

The differense in weight and bulk is very notisable.

 

[buck futter]

well at least the Husky is better looking and has better air filtration.

 

[SawTroll]

well at least the Husky is better looking and has better air filtration.

The air filtration is not an issue on the 361, like on the older Stihls......

 

[buck futter]

well at least we agree its ugly

 

[TDunk]

well at least we agree its ugly

HA HA HA !!!

 

[SawTroll]

well at least we agree its ugly

I don't think so.........:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange: