Consumer Report saw picks

[KMB]

Got my latest issue of Consumer Report magazine and saw that they rated chainsaws in this issue. Of course I checked it out, but nothing special. 26 models total were tested. For the electric models, the Husky 316 got top pick with the Poulan Pro 400E as second place (the Poulan got the Consumer Report Best Buy nod). For the gasoline models, the Stihl MS180C-BE (BE ?) was first, next the Husky 142, the Craftsman 35082, and finally the Echo CS-305-14. For those interested... .

Kevin

 

[computeruser]

Not surprising.

Any chance you could scan the entire article? I'd be interested to see the whole write-up.

 

[omegajim]

consumer reports, go figure

Apparently, Consumer reports is only covering saws for around the house for minor trimming.

Even Popular Mechanics (if memory serves) will cover the mid-sized saw, like the stihl 210. Not large, mind you, but bigger than the hedge-trimmers mentioned in Consumer reports.


MS290, 028.

 

[94TahoeLT]

I would like to know, who rated a sears poulan over a echo?
He must have forgot to do the testing, after putting down his short glass pipe.:bang:

 

[KMB]

Apparently, Consumer reports is only covering saws for around the house for minor trimming.

Even Popular Mechanics (if memory serves) will cover the mid-sized saw, like the stihl 210. Not large, mind you, but bigger than the hedge-trimmers mentioned in Consumer reports.


MS290, 028.

I had thought the same thing regarding only the small saws being tested until I read further.

A quote from part of the Consumer Report article: "While all are certified by their manufacturers to pass the voluntary industry kickback standard, two otherwise-fine performers - the gas John Deere CS46 and Stihl MS250-BE - were judged to kick back more noticeably than others tested, though not enough for us to lose control."

The article didn't mention what the biggest or smallest saws they tested. I guess they're only covering the very occassional users.

Kevin

 

[Butch(OH)]

I would like to know, who rated a sears poulan over a echo?
He must have forgot to do the testing, after putting down his short glass pipe.:bang:

Ya, that's about it. I don't read that rag nor care what they say but let me guess how they rated the saws.
1 Which one emits the least amount of greenhouse gasses?
2 Which is the most recyclable when shot?
3 Which pollutes the least?
4 How many cute bells and whistles does it have?
5 Which one would be best for an American with disabilities to run
6 Ebay's price
7 Best Buy's price
8 How easy did the starter pull
9 Which was the most quiet?
10 Which came completely assembled?
11 Which would cut a branch?

 

[bump_r]

Dude, it's "CONSUMER Reports" not "Logger Weekly" - it only stands to reason that they'd report on consumer-grade stuff.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

I still don't trust them. They're nothing more than hype advertisers. Any of you remember when they tested the Suzuki Samari? According to them it was a death trap, and shouldn't even be driven. Sales plumeted, and Suzuki stopped selling the Sami in the US. Well, it turns out that CR was testing the Sami at speeds and maneuvers that were suited for sports cars. They came out and admitted that they tested the Sami in a manner so that it could only fail because they wanted to create the hype and sell magazines. They've got an agenda and should not be trusted with anything beyond toasters and drinking straws, if that.

JMO.

But bump r makes an excellent point. I'm just saying that their criteria could involve anything from the color of the saw to how much it scared the tester to run it.

 

[Lakeside53]

Same problem with power tool testing...

 

[Woodie]

They've got an agenda and should not be trusted with anything beyond toasters and drinking straws, if that.

You have this absolutely wrong, Fish.

I would NEVER trust Consumer Retards to test drinking straws!! They would find that the Japanese models were far more responsive than the American or European models, and offered the user a far better "strawing experience" with greater levels of "soda feel."

Also, they would find that the American and European "bendy" straws presented an unacceptable choking hazard, and were furthermore apt to burst into flames when held up to a welding torch. "We find that the Japanese brands offered far greater flame retardance in a better engineered package."

Of course, they would be unable to quantify any of it, but still, there you go...

 

[bump_r]

You have this absolutely wrong, Fish.

I would NEVER trust Consumer Retards to test drinking straws!! They would find that the Japanese models were far more responsive than the American or European models, and offered the user a far better "strawing experience" with greater levels of "soda feel."

Also, they would find that the American and European "bendy" straws presented an unacceptable choking hazard, and were furthermore apt to burst into flames. "We find that the Japanese brands offered far greater flame retardance in a better engineered package."

Of course, they would be unable to quantify any of it, but still, there you go...

Do I sense a hint of hostility, there? Oh, yeah - i see it - Southeast Michigan. Detroit area, perhaps? Dearborn?

 

[Woodie]

Do I sense a hint of hostility, there? Oh, yeah - i see it - Southeast Michigan. Detroit area, perhaps? Dearborn?

Don't MAKE me come over there, Bump_R!

 

[bump_r]

HAAA!!! It's all good. Just for the record, I never put much stock in the whole "We're doing this for the people - they have the right to know. For free." deal in the first place - there's GOT to be monetary motivation somewhere.

You guys ever read this drivel? It's worse than wikipedia - anyone with an ISP is considered an authority on whatever subject...

http://www.consumerdemocracy.com/phelp/cd4/listPosRevs2B.aspx?catId=150

Nothing like THIS site were we are all REALLY experts. Well, know-it-alls at least...

 

[spike60]

I've always felt that Consumer Reports was written by people who know little, for people who know nothing. This is just more proof.

Nearly every AS member knows far more about saws than the self proclaimed experts at Consumer Reports. When anyone reads a "test" about something they are very familiar with, it is instantly apparent that the people at the magazine haven't got a clue as to what they are doing.

I had a customer who worked with computers stop in shopping for tractors. He knew almost nothing about tractors, but had the latest CS, which to him was gospel. I asked him what he thought about the last CS test of computers and he said, "Yeah, you're right. They really didn't know what they were talking about. Here, (handing me the magazine), throw this out."

 

[omegajim]

it is what it is

Having bashed consumer reports, I will now say this

Consumer reports covers a little bit of everything, and if you don't know tractors, mowers, cars, god forbid CHAINSAWS, then it's a starting point, no less and certainly no more.

My favorite was back in the day how consumer reports always hammered on fuel economy, but lo and behold, as time went on, they stressed horsepower. Example "the four cylinder car did ok, but the v6 was better." They figured out who their market was.

Maybe, someday, they'll figure out to do an in depth look at chainsaws (every other year) and devote more than 3 pages (with all the pictures that means about 8 paragraphs) to chainsaws and put us all in a bit of awe. Never happen

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

I had a customer who worked with computers stop in shopping for tractors. He knew almost nothing about tractors, but had the latest CS, which to him was gospel. I asked him what he thought about the last CS test of computers and he said, "Yeah, you're right. They really didn't know what they were talking about. Here, (handing me the magazine), throw this out."

That's pretty funny, but it's true, I tend to look at the reports for buying advice, then when I see an article on something I know about, I realize they are a joke.
If you want to talk about useless, how about Arborage's product reviews? Let's take one product from each of our advertisers and try to make it look good.
There are some good consumer advice sites on the internet. One that comes to mind is Cnet.com. They do consumer electronics. There stuff is kind of generic, but what makes them educational is readers can leave reviews of the product. Then there's a 1 to 10 score of the readers average opinion, as well as specific comments.

 

[KMB]

That's pretty funny, but it's true, I tend to look at the reports for buying advice, then when I see an article on something I know about, I realize they are a joke.

Same here. A second cordless phone I bought not to long ago is junk (I didn't base my decision on a CR report), and I laughed when I saw that CR gave it a fairly good rating. I use some of the reports as general info, then talk to friends who have used a certain product, and read reviews elsewhere ("with a grain of salt") and common sense.

I thought I'd get some interesting posts when I started this thread.

Kevin