Asking the pros a top handle question

[jpdocdave]

I'm considering a new Stiihl 192t, new Echo es360t, or a 3-4 year old home owner used Husqvarna 338xpt I think I can get for around $250

What do you guys think out of that list, a 200 just isn't in my budget, and it seems there's some decent improvements or new designs in the new saws that maybe this 3-4 year old Husky won't have?

Thanks

 

[KenJax Tree]

Check your PM's


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[jpdocdave]

^thanks

add cs355t to the list of consideration.

 

[imagineero]

I'd take either of the echos over the 192 or the husky any day.

 

[jpdocdave]

I seem to hear husky's top handles aren't as impressive as their other saws. I was hoping to get some more input from the pros, I know this isn't the chiansaw forum, but I'll take any input.

Thanks.

 

[KenJax Tree]

I had a Jonsered 2139T its the same saw as the 338xpt and i didn't like it so i sold it here for $300. It was nose heavy,the air filter was in front and needed to be cleaned every fill up,i just didn't care for it. I also don't care for the new T540xp either.

All my saws are Husky's except for my Stihl 200T's,201T,and my Echo 355T (keeping 1 and selling 1)

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[jefflovstrom]

I think I might try this T540xp, not sure , but the review's are good.
Jeff

 

[treesmith]

I can't get past the 200t, I've got a 192t and I like it but it's not a 200, had an echo years ago and hated it and I've never picked up a husky top handle that I liked the feel of.

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[Matt81]

I have currently as my personal main climb saw a 338XPT NE. I like it, but yes the front air filter is a design fail. It does need more attention with cleaning than better designed saws. I do like it very much despite this. It has very good power (even better after a MM and a tune) for limbing and even topping up to around 10". If it gets bigger i get a bigger saw. The balance and feel are fine for me too.
I have the 338XPT because like you i do not have 200T money to spend. It was the best saw i could get at the time. It was very low hours and was only $300 to my door in Australia with 2 extra BNIB Stihl yellow chains. Gotta be happy with that when the RRP of a 338XPT here is still around $1149. Even after the T540XP arrived!

The 338XPT replaced a 334T. It was ok but just doesn't have the power of the 338XPT. It is basically the same design too. Same design and position air filter. Same saw body. The 334T was a 2001 build while the 338XPT was a 2010. Goes to show bad design ideas can stick around!

I also have a Echo 360T. It is ok. I have it now as my main backup for the 338XPT. Echo is a very overlooked brand in my opinion. Reliable and well built. I have owned and used a Echo 600p and it was a fine saw. In every way the equal of it's German and Swedish cousins! The 360T in no way is a real great climb saw though. It's a real disappointment compared to the new 355T. Sluggish throttle response and weak power. It is fine however for just small diameter limbing from the ground. I know, I really need to get a better second climb saw!

The 192T is an ok saw, but severely underpowered compared to a 200T. Or even my 338XPT for that matter! We tried one as a backup to the 200T at work. We could not get rid of it quick enough!
Don't get me wrong it is a well built saw, but after running a 200T it is very weak in power and torque. Only good for pruning very small diameter limbs.

Bottom line if you don't have the money to spend on a 200T but are going to spend Stihl money on a weak 192T it would be much more wisely be spent on an Echo 355T. You will have a far superior saw to the 192T also.

Just my 2 cents

 

[treesmith]

With a muff mod and advanced timing the 192t wakes up a bit but it's still only a light pruning saw

 

[Matt81]

With a muff mod and advanced timing the 192t wakes up a bit but it's still only a light pruning saw

You got it in one brother. It is a very well built saw and from purely a build quality and design point of view ( front facing air filter on 338XPT and 334T anyone?) i would choose it 9 times out of 10 even against my 338XPT. But even after mods it is only still good for small diameter limbing. Jokes aside my 338XPT is a fantastic saw for power and reliability.

 

[buckeyebasser23]

I hate to say just save up a little longer and buy a 200t , but youll be glad you did...

 

[CanopyGorilla]

The 201t seems to get a lot of hate around here but I really like mine! I have it ported and muffler mod and it runs like a bat out of hell with a 16" bar.

 

[treesmith]

Been running a stock 201 recently, its not a 200 but its not that bad

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[CanopyGorilla]

Been running a stock 201 recently, its not a 200 but its not that bad

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With a few mods it will run just as well. We have a couple 200's and even an 020 lying around that run great when they are up, but they are getting old enough now that they seem to just need tuning constantly. I would probably be running the 201 without mods if I was just pulling a 14"er but with the bigger bar, and getting 4" extra before I change out saws it's a win!

 

[jpdocdave]

An update from my end, since I started this thread I picked up an echo cs355t, and my climber really likes it. It's
Right there with his 200 and balanced a little better, and better than a 201. The echo turned out to be a really nice
Top handle