I don't think they cut quite as good as a regular chain, but close enough to work. The new system they redesigned it, basically from the ground (or grind..) up so it adjusts the raker height better along with improved geometry on the cutters. It is pretty radically different from regular ole cheap chain, and more expensive. Like I said, buying speed and convenience, dull to sharp pretty darn quick.
I think why most guys removed them and they never caught on back then is sticker shock on replacing the chain and stone at the same time. That powersharp system is for convenience, most HOs can't sharpen a chain. That removes the hassle as long as you pay for it up front. They think it is cheaper to go pay five bucks a sharpening at the sawshop and wind up paying the same money eventually anyway....
When I had mine I was more using it for a handy sawzall type tool then for firewood, but I did cut up around a cord of some free wood I got given after a storm with it. Worked OK. I was going to install a woodstove in my house at the time, (there was an old chimney that had been covered over) but moved before that happened, sold both the heater and the saw and just left the wood stacked in the backyard. I sold almost everything then, my back went out bad, got paralysis on my right arm, was going broke fast so I sold everything I didn't absolutely need going to go live in my camper, except for a few things I stuck in a storage locker. I eventually recovered enough to work some, then got a little better still, but never back to 100%, call it fifty percent with some bad days when it is..2%....
