Redmax makes a better trimmer IMO.
A 372xp OE with a low top cover is one sexy looking saw.
Dilemma....Echo 70cc vs Clone 90cc saw. What would you do?
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A 372xp OE with a low top cover is one sexy looking saw.
LuDookie
ArboristSite Guru
Redmax is a unicorn where I live. I imagine they are strato design, being Redmax. The echos are just straight 2 strokes, still. But I’ve no experience with modern Redmax.
The OE comes with a low top. The filter leaves a lot to be desired though. I converted mine to a high top for better filtration… and it is better. I personally like the hightop look.
Jusgunn3
ArboristSite Lurker
Neither, make an offer on this and you are safe set for any tree.
https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/500i-1400-us.372135/
https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/500i-1400-us.372135/
Redmax have been strato for at least 15-20 years. They are the ones who patented most of the technology related to strato charging, autotune/mtronic, etc. I've owned them since the beginning and they are stone reliable and trouble free. I would never go back to a traditional two stroke trimmer or blower at this point. The stratos are much cleaner, get much better fuel economy and have more torque.
Every 372 I owned came with the high top besides the XPG models. The low top makes the saw look much smaller. When I logged I mostly used the high tops. But the 2 XPG's I owned worked fine with the flocked filter. I wouldn't run a mesh filter on anything, ever.
LuDookie
ArboristSite Guru
I’ve never run Redmax. I wish I had local Redmax options, but right now I don’t even use trimmers. Last one I had was an Echo 2620T. It was powerful and had a good engine but the vibes kinda sucked, if I’m honest.
Most 372 offerings in the states all came with high tops. The OE’s that come out of the factory now come with low top filter, and open port muffler. Mine was a 22 build, and is sublime.
What do you mean by open port muffler?
LuDookie
ArboristSite Guru
Just an empty can with a round exit port, not spark screen compatible.
LuDookie
ArboristSite Guru
Ok, the stock muffler on the US 372xp's was also a hollow can and with an outlet that is bigger than that small pipe. Not very restricted at all and easy to open up.
What size wood are you normally cutting? If it's not in this same size range, I wouldn't spend a thousand bucks and be lugging around a bigger saw than needed for the next decade or two just for two trees this one time.
This might be an unpopular opinion, but an Echo 590 is in the $450 range and will take apart 30" oaks cutting from both sides. It'll be faster than your Poulan. Once the oaks are taken care of, it'll still be a reasonable size saw for most firewood tasks.
This is coming from a guy who bought a 500i even though I only use 2-3 cords of firewood per year. It's a fun toy and I thoroughly enjoy cutting those couple cords. I've cut lots more wood than I've used myself helping out other folks, just because I enjoy it. If that's part of your goal, game on, get something you enjoy.
A clone wouldn't be on my list, even if free.
This might be an unpopular opinion, but an Echo 590 is in the $450 range and will take apart 30" oaks cutting from both sides. It'll be faster than your Poulan. Once the oaks are taken care of, it'll still be a reasonable size saw for most firewood tasks.
This is coming from a guy who bought a 500i even though I only use 2-3 cords of firewood per year. It's a fun toy and I thoroughly enjoy cutting those couple cords. I've cut lots more wood than I've used myself helping out other folks, just because I enjoy it. If that's part of your goal, game on, get something you enjoy.
A clone wouldn't be on my list, even if free.
If price is the ONLY object and you don't care about reliability or longevity, get a clone. If you are lucky and you can work on saws, it may work. This is from experience in the shop.
I am a Stihl technician, but the ECHO will be a 10 times better purchase that the clone.
What the others have said about ECHO is correct from my experience working on them. Not the top performer, but reliable and built well.
I am a Stihl technician, but the ECHO will be a 10 times better purchase that the clone.
What the others have said about ECHO is correct from my experience working on them. Not the top performer, but reliable and built well.
When it comes to engine displacement, it seems like Echo saws deliver more power for the same size engine as virtually any other brand. Not sure how they do that, but that is what I have noticed through the years. I first noticed this with an Echo CS-3900 about 24 years ago. Just MHO.
LuDookie
ArboristSite Guru
More power is subjective, I think. Echos usually lack chain speed in the high end bands, which can translate to less power. An example is the cs680, at 66.7cc with a 20 inch bar it'll most likely cut behind an ms261 in 12 inch wood but the same saw will still pull a 36 inch bar , buried better than an ms400. Just depends on how you run the saws. I find Echo saws a pleasure to run, even after running all the other latest and greatest Stihl and Husqy stuff. Some people hate them. I talked to a guy the other day who hates Stihl and loves Echo, most likely because he learned on Echos. It's subjective.
Power isn't subjective, it's very measurable.
Just looked up the 7310, 572, 372, and 461. Echo might seem like it makes more power, but it objectively does not.
Just looked up the 7310, 572, 372, and 461. Echo might seem like it makes more power, but it objectively does not.
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Just something I learned over the years about echo saws. You can dump the fuel out of them run the carb dry, put it on a shelf for 3 or 4 years. When you take it off the shelf and fuel it up next time you need it that Echo will fire up in 3 pulls. They store excellent no doubt about it. Keep it in a cool spot outta the sun.
LuDookie
ArboristSite Guru
It is measurable, but which saw feels more powerful, or cuts fast vs handling a longer bar, has obviously become subjective. What people like to run, is subjective, regardless of power specs. Not trying to hurt the feelings of those that don’t like Echo. I like them all.
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Me too
LuDookie
ArboristSite Guru
Sti
Stihl and Husqy will too, under the same circumstances.
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This is a 1991 650EVL. I bought it from a pawn shop that was going out of business. Owner told me he had had it for at least 10 years. He never left fuel or oil in them on his shelves. I bought it for I think $75 bucks in 2007. I didn't think it would run, 
It did
It did
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I have several Stihls and Huskies, I pretty sure they would start, I've never tried it they run everyday. That's why I have them.
