Review Oregon PowerNow Cordless Chainsaw

[Philbert]

EDIT / UPDATE: I am working to replace some of the lost photos and links from this thread. ***Zogger - see if you can help me out with some of yours? *** (Thanks).

Oregon will be releasing a cordless pole saw to go along with this chainsaw, which I briefly reviewed in this thread:
http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/oregon-40-volt-pole-saw.248941/

They have also announced new batteries with significantly increased charge life (4.0 amp-hours, up from 1.25 and 2.4 amp hours).

https://oregoncordless.com/US/Productlanding

Philbert

 

[zogger]

EDIT / UPDATE: I am working to replace some of the lost photos and links from this thread. ***Zogger - see if you can help me out with some of yours? *** (Thanks).

Oregon will be releasing a cordless pole saw to go along with this chainsaw, which I briefly reviewed in this thread: http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/oregon-40-volt-pole-saw.248941/

They have also announced new batteries with significantly increased charge life (4.0 amp-hours, up from 1.25 and 2.4 amp hours).

https://oregoncordless.com/US/Productlanding



Philbert

Cool on the new stuff.

I don't know on the lost pics, my only copies are on a mostly dead tower here. Last I tried it it wouldn't boot very well or run.

 

[Philbert]

Couple of More Photos I Ran Across

Found these while trying to 're-build' the lost photos above:


Tree Monkey's Dad tries the 40V at a GTG



Andydodgegeeks's Dad tries the 40V at a GTG


Neighbor lost a bunch of pine branches due to an ice storm. Easy and fast to clean up with a grab-and-go saw (harder to clean the pine pitch off the saw afterwards!).


Another quick neighborhood storm clean up.

Philbert

 

[Philbert]

Couple of interesting developments.

Oregon has released a 15 amp corded version of their chainsaw with the PowerSharp system and 18 inch bar. ($130 - $140 on-line pricing).


http://www.oregonproducts.com/homeowner/products/corded/CS1500.htm

“Our new corded chain saw is an excellent option for professionals looking for additional bar length with the added convenience of built-in PowerSharp, which sharpens a dull chain in as little as three seconds.”

And, has announced a 're-engineered' version of their cordless (battery) saw, with a brushless motor and longer (16") bar, due Spring, 2015.

"OREGON’s popular cordless chain saw has been re-engineered with 40 percent more power. Equipped with on-tool PowerSharp technology, a 16-inch bar (versus 14-inch on its predecessor), tool-less tensioning and a brushless motor, the CS300 offers a more powerful cutting experience."

Philbert

EDIT: Started a thread on this saw: http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/new-oregon-corded-electric-chainsaw.268379/

 

[zogger]

I like both!

40% more power in the battery saw is WAY COOL. Hopefully that will come with perhaps higher chain speed as well.

 

[Philbert]

I have not seen either one. You know that speed and torque often trade-0ff each other. The brushless motors are supposed to be more efficient, which is important with battery powered tools.

I was really surprised by the corded saw - a real break from the 40 volt line. I like my electric (Makita)/PowerSharp combination, so this will be interesting.

They also announced a cordless leaf blower, due out in Spring, 2015. Photos look pretty clean and compact.



Philbert

 

[zogger]

Either way, more torque or more speed would be good. They also need what the husky saw has the "sport" and "eco" mode selector.

 

[Philbert]

Specs on 'New' vs 'Current' Oregon Battery Saws

CS300 (brushless motor) vs CS250 claims:
- 40% more power;
- 16" vs 14" bar;
- faster chain speed: 2796 FPM vs 2350 FPM;
- same weight;
- tool-less chain tensioner;
- no information on any differences in battery life between the 2 saws.

Philbert

 

[benp]

Nice!!!!

@Philbert, I really liked that little rascal when I tried it at Andy's.

I was amazed at how well it cut and I really liked that powersharp system.

I think it would be an awesome saw for smaller jobs like you posted.

 

[Philbert]

Saw some MSRP pricing for the new Oregon, cordless, brushless chainsaw today. Available 'Summer, 2015'. Looks like some of their prices are coming down, even as features (torque, chain speed) are going up. Might be competitive pressures, production efficiencies, ?


Philbert

 

[zogger]

Saw some MSRP pricing for the new Oregon, cordless, brushless chainsaw today. Available 'Summer, 2015'. Looks like some of their prices are coming down, even as features (torque, chain speed) are going up. Might be competitive pressures, production efficiencies, ?
View attachment 408816

Philbert

Cool, I might get the basic upgraded saw model. And yep, I bet capitalism works, lot of competition out there now for battery powered outdoor tools. I would think eventually, maybe not far off now, a hundred bucks a tool might be common.

I called them awhile back and asked about upgrading just the electric motor, no dice, won't fit the old chassis.

I also volunteered to be a test cutter again, but no further response, so I guess that means no.

 

[Philbert]

Battery Pouches

For most of these battery powered OPE, a second battery is a real plus. But they can be hard to carry in the field, unless you have a backpack, or some type of tool box that you take with you. As noted in an earlier post, I found that certain quart sized motor oil containers are just the right size and shape to fit these Oregon 40V batteries, and to protect their terminals from accidentally making contact with something metal, shorting out or causing a fire. Later, I found an almost-right-sized camera case at a garage sale, that had both belt loops and a shoulder strap, making it easy to carry an extra battery.



After lots of searching through carpenter tool pouches and military surplus stores, I finally found some pouches today at a surplus store that fit the Oregon 40V batteries!



Of course, since they are camo, it will make the batteries easier to lose if I set them down! But with camo pouches and a quiet saw, I can be a chainsaw commando!



This size pouch can also carry 4, 8-inch wedges easily, or keep the PowerSharp sharpening cassette close at hand. Other pouches may work better with the different size and shape batteries used by other brands of cordless tools.



Belt loops are important on both of these pouches for carrying the batteries, and I still plan to use the cut off oil containers as liners. Might cut off some of the extra pockets, or try to modify them to hold a scrench, or something useful. .



Philbert

 

[zogger]

Nice gear report Philbert!

 

[Philbert]

It's been 4 years !!!!

Oregon recently released a second generation of this saw, the CS300, with a brushless motor and increased power. I have started a separate thread on it here:
http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/oregon-cs300-40v-cordless-chainsaw.286385/

Philbert

 

[Philbert]

Wind up (sort of)

Almost 13 years since this thread was started (!). Battery powered chainsaws, lawn mowers, and other outdoor equipment, have certainly become more mainstream, and keep getting better.

Oregon has discontinued their 40 Volt line, although, some inventory may still be available through distributors. They still sell a corded, electric, chainsaw.

ALL of my Oregon batteries, some as old as 13 years, continue to take and hold a charge, although, many do not last as long as when new.

Whereas, with some other, Li-ion, outdoor, power tool batteries, I had failure rates up to 50%! The tools, themselves, are in great shape.

Quality matters. As I have said many times, ‘The battery is half the tool’.

When these batteries no longer take a charge, the tools will be functionally obsolete, as most places will not rebuild these Li-ion battery packs. And a line has to be pretty popular to support aftermarket batteries.

Sorry to see this product line go, but I understand that it has become a very competitive business. I am glad that I was able to explore these products with the support of the manufacturer’s technical staff, to answer questions, etc.

Philbert