Echo vs. Husky, redux.

[Incomplete]

Sorry for the duplicate post, but in my excitement at joining a new men's club I overlooked the post in 101 that said all chainsaw posts should be posted here. So I quote myself.

"Greetings.

I'm am planning on purchasing a new Limbing saw and some climbing gear to further expand my hobby, possibly into another aspect of my business, but definitely to work on my own and my friends fruit and shade trees.

I have a Husky 455 xp (from a box store) which has been an absolute champ. No matter how long it sits it always starts every time. In the three years I've had it all I've had to do was sharpen the chain. Husky has me sold, my own experience, and also my memories of my dad, and then my brother, constantly working on his Stihl. Two years ago I went to the local family owned Husky dealer and ogled a 338xp T. The dealer also offered me a contractors discount that was absolutely fantastic. But then, the recession really took hold and my dream of another productive toy went up in smoke.

My first question is this: the local family owned Echo dealer is offering the CS-341 for $319.99, and while I know this is full MSRP, it's $200.00 less than the Husky MSRP for the 338. The Echo design is kinda "old" looking but I've seen a lot of the big boys use them. The Husky designs are pretty cool, and it's just so dang cute, but cash is king right now, and he's running on a restricted budget. But I'm a professional. I don't want to waste my time on a tool that's not going to go the distance. One of my mottos is "Take care of your tools and your tools will take care of you. " Will an Echo take care of me as well as a Husky?"

 

[c5rulz]

but in my excitement at joining a new men's club

Ahhhh...........What's that all about?:msp_confused:

 

[TK]

Husky is releasing a much better top handle - supposedly this month - than the current 338. Unfortunately it adds another hundred bills.

 

[jus2fat]

1) You say you are a 'professional'...yet you use a homeowner saw..??

2) There is no 455xp..!!..??

3) :notrolls2: :notrolls2: :notrolls2:

4) Please NO explanation of joining a men's club..!!

J2F

 

[MHouse1028]

i'd run the echo 341 over the husky 338 just haven't heard anything great about the 338

 

[Incomplete]

I'm a professional carpenter. But Ive been bucking brush and climbing trees since I was five or six and in the last couple of years I've become the pruner for all my friends and family and I want to get serious about it. And I do everything to the best of my ability. And you're absolutely right. It's a 445x-torq. I keep getting confused because I had been wanting the 455 RANCHER but then, as now, I couldnt justify the extra cost.

Went to the Husky dealer today and for the 388 it's $500. bucks. No discount. A used one, rode hard and put away wet, is $325. So, I'll be getting the echo, new, with five year warranty.

And I just got the "men's club" thing. What can I say? I was sleep deprived. I meant like Agusta National and NOT shiny poles and bad dance music. :biggrin:

Thanks for all your help guys!

 

[TK]

I'm a professional carpenter. But Ive been bucking brush and climbing trees since I was five or six and in the last couple of years I've become the pruner for all my friends and family and I want to get serious about it. And I do everything to the best of my ability. And you're absolutely right. It's a 445x-torq. I keep getting confused because I had been wanting the 455 RANCHER but then, as now, I couldnt justify the extra cost.

Went to the Husky dealer today and for the 388 it's $500. bucks. No discount. A used one, rode hard and put away wet, is $325. So, I'll be getting the echo, new, with five year warranty.

And I just got the "men's club" thing. What can I say? I was sleep deprived. I meant like Agusta National and NOT shiny poles and bad dance music. :biggrin:

Thanks for all your help guys!

I would have preferred the shiny poles and bad music...... :msp_w00t:

 

[jus2fat]

I'm a professional carpenter. And you're absolutely right. It's a 445x-torq. I keep getting confused because I had been wanting the 455 RANCHER but then, as now, I couldnt justify the extra cost.

So, I'll be getting the echo, new, with five year warranty.

And I just got the "men's club" thing. What can I say? I was sleep deprived. I meant like Augusta National and NOT shiny poles and bad dance music. :biggrin:
Thanks for all your help guys!

Didn't mean you any disrespect..!!

But there is no such animal as a Husky 455XL Rancher...just the x-torq as with the 445x-torq.

I wish you good luck with your 5-year Echo warranty..I really do..!!

As for Augusta National GC...good luck as well..!! U.S. Presidents can't even get in.

Even past winners can't get in...Only Jack and Arnold are winning members to my knowledge..!!

J2F

 

[Incomplete]

"I wish you good luck with your 5-year Echo warranty..I really do..!"


Riiight. It's like the old saying: the warranty is only good as long as its in the box.

 

[Snap]

Husky is releasing a much better top handle - supposedly this month - than the current 338. Unfortunately it adds another hundred bills.

For real? In the states?

My dealer hasn't got a clue about the 540Xp if that is what you are referring to.

 

[Aussie Dave]

"I wish you good luck with your 5-year Echo warranty..I really do..!"


Riiight. It's like the old saying: the warranty is only good as long as its in the box.

from what i have read (no experience myself) after twelve months or so warranty claims are near impossible to get.

 

[TK]

For real? In the states?

My dealer hasn't got a clue about the 540Xp if that is what you are referring to.

Yep. $630ish, completely restyled, reengineered, different from the 338xpt. T540XP is the official model name. And I'm sorry your dealer didn't attend the fall dealer meeting or look at the new 2012 dealer pricing sheets lol. I dont believe they'll actually release it this month as I haven't seen IPLs for it yet and those usually come out at least a month in advance.... But who knows. We don't exactly get what we're expecting with timing from them lol

 

[Incomplete]

Just saw on baileysonline that they are selling a T435 35cc for $360 in at Woodlawn. I have family in Sacramento. Dang. I feel like a woman: indecisive. Does anyone know anything about this model? It has the harness rings that I was looking for that the 338 doesn't have. Also, anyone know why there is such a HUGE price descrepency?

 

[Incomplete]

Further research on another site said that the T435 is a RedMax. What does that mean? Are RedMax crap? Anecdotal evidence stated that this saw beat the echo hands down, even with reduced reach due to redesign. And I found it on amazon for less than $300.

 

[Snap]

Yep. $630ish, completely restyled, reengineered, different from the 338xpt. T540XP is the official model name. And I'm sorry your dealer didn't attend the fall dealer meeting or look at the new 2012 dealer pricing sheets lol. I dont believe they'll actually release it this month as I haven't seen IPLs for it yet and those usually come out at least a month in advance.... But who knows. We don't exactly get what we're expecting with timing from them lol

So what you are saying is "not for real".
Another dangling carrot, just like my FORMER employer.

I think I should pay attention to the lesson conveyed from buying a first generation 335XPT.

 

[TK]

Just saw on baileysonline that they are selling a T435 35cc for $360 in at Woodlawn. I have family in Sacramento. Dang. I feel like a woman: indecisive. Does anyone know anything about this model? It has the harness rings that I was looking for that the 338 doesn't have. Also, anyone know why there is such a HUGE price descrepency?

It is the Redmax version in orange. It is a nice saw, nothing that will blow your mind but it's a good runner. The ones that I have sold have had no issues. They even sound pretty good right out of the box The power output, ergos, and overall construction are the reasons for price discrepancy. The 338 is built a lot better than the T435 but it's all in what you're using it for.

So what you are saying is "not for real".
Another dangling carrot, just like my FORMER employer.

I think I should pay attention to the lesson conveyed from buying a first generation 335XPT.

No I'm not saying "not for real." It isn't a heavily focused on model at the moment, and there have been no press releases persay pushing it so it's not a priority. There are a couple of demonstration youtube videos floating around, you should check them out.

 

[Snap]

No I'm not saying "not for real." It isn't a heavily focused on model at the moment, and there have been no press releases persay pushing it so it's not a priority. There are a couple of demonstration youtube videos floating around, you should check them out.

I've seen the videos.
What I am referring to as "not for real" is "next month" because there are all kinds of timing dates out there, including claims that they are currently available.

 

[TK]

Lol well I looked today out of curiosity. The dates are now August. I'll look again tomorrow as they are liable to change overnight. I have little to no interest in a top handle in this area as there is hardly a demand for them that I've seen.

 

[PasoRoblesJimmy]

The main top handle saws in use by tree services in my local area are either Stihl or Echo. Echo top handles seems to be more popular than Stihl top handles and their owners seem to like them. Price and durability might have a lot to do with it.

No chainsaw or saw warranty is better than the dealer that you buy it from. Always buy from a full service dealer with a good word of mouth reputation.

I purchased an Echo CS-310 from a local full-service dealer with a good word of mouth reputation 3 years ago. I returned it to my dealer a few weeks ago because the oil line at the bottom of the oil tank was leaking. It was cheerfully repaired under its 5-year warranty with no questions asked. It doesn't leak a drop of bar oil and it starts and runs like a brand new saw.

My local full-service dealer sells and services Stihl, Husky and Echo. Avoid buying a chainsaw from a box store.

 

[mountainlake]

Didn't mean you any disrespect..!!



I wish you good luck with your 5-year Echo warranty..I really do..!!




Read the above post, looks like your wishing helped. Steve