To clarify a couple comments:
1) $$$ quoted are CAD
2) I did a bit of online checking - another big box store offering free delivery (but not to remote areas) has Echo 620 for $990. what scares me about brands other than Stihl is a lack of support in the region
3) spares are for 170s and 362 - being collected in Goose Bay and air freighted but weather delay has set me back
4) for fuel - no AV, only AV is for airline and there is some drums around for helicopter companies but not for sale. The fuel issue i fear is that the tank farm is 30 100kl tanks of varying ages - so depending on which bulk tank it comes from quality can be variable. I will filter the fuel and let settle before decanting to try and limit contamination as best as possible. Granted I havent personally had issues, but everyone here does at some point.
5) the saws available locally are 271 and 162 - all else flown in. there are some 250s(family saws i can borrow) and 1 291 i know of - 291 is largest in community.
6) i wont be able to demo both unless i make a trip south to his shop - once fueled the saws are then dangerous goods and they cant come out until June sealift, even though my dealer is a buddy, he isnt that good.
7) for my saws coming on sea lift - i got 42cc, 78cc and 89cc - granted a bit dated, none are long in the tooth and will provide good service and i have parts and ability to rebuild any of them
8) typical trip wooding will be a 170 for support and the 362 as the workhorse. my plan is to put all on the ground into 8' sticks and tandem sled back to town for processing.
I appreciated all the help on this.... This might'n seem like a big decision (and wouldn't normally be to me), but the logistics/location of a not running saw(or sled for that matter) make this a bigger decision...
