Stihl 261 M-C or Echo CS 550P

[drewdude]

Hello,
I'm going to be picking up either the Stihl MS261 C-M or Echo CS 550P this weekend.
Keep in mind there are a lot of Stihl dealers in Newfoundland with not anywhere near as many echo dealers.

I was initially most interested in the husky 555 but then figured the Echo 550P would be good enough as it is $200 less exspensive. I recently found out that all 261 C-M's are 200 or so off, so that changes things.

Stihl MS 261 C-M 599.95 CAD
Echo CS 550P 579.99 CAD

The saw I buy will be:
- my only saw
- used for limbing, making trails, clearing trails, felling trees and junking (avg diameter tree is 12" is evergreen & birch)
- used mostly in the winter and sometimes in summer
- used solely in Newfoundland, Canada
- will be run hard and used frequently
- professional level saw

It is important to me that the saw will be durable, reliable and last like the Jonsered 630 Super 2 has lasted my family and I. I do not care for fancy things like revboost or heated grips or what not... I feel like making something more complicated leaves a lot of room for things to go wrong, so I like simple but professional.

In other words, durability, longevity, consistency and reliability is way more important to me than flat out performance.

Please let me know your thoughts...

 

[grack]

I have the original 261 and a new echo 490 the 261 has more power but I always use the 490 close to the 550 a few differences for me it's smoother and lighter they in my opinion are well built reliable saws the echo pretty much old school tech the stihl new tech I like them both.

 

[dws_az]

I've not ran the Echo but I have ran the Stihl and I like it very very well.

If I were to buy another saw or swap saws I'd be after a 261.

The Echo has a good reputation but I've never ran one.

Based on the fact that you have a better Stihl dealer/network in Newfoundland would be another reason I'd go with the Stihl coupled with the fact that the 261 has a good resale value if you ever wanted to part with it.

 

[CR888]

I own a 550p echo and a 550xp and 555 and ms261(non cm). Forget the Echo its way to big/bulky and heavy compared to a 550/555 or ms261. The echo is a pretty good saw but not anywhere near the same league as the others. If I was you, I would buy the 555 husky.......trust me I've put 100's of hours on the saws discussed here and if you want performance and value get the 555. Next inline would be the 550xp followed very closely by the ms261. Forget saving $200 buying the echo its simply a bad idea period. Echo make reliable saws that are well built but the 550p is the same size as a 7900 dolmar (80cc's) and is miles away in power to wieght ratio. Good luck, remember these saws discussed have a 2000hr service life so a saving of $200 to carry a big heavy bulky echo is madness. They also have a skinny front plastic handle that feels weird! The 261 has the best filtration and a factory option for double spikes but it has a silly 'micro spline' clutch drum. The 550xp has the fastest throttle responce is lightest/smallest and best balanced. The 555 has better torque than the 550 and is about the same size wieght as the ms261 but with 10cc's more power. My vote is either the 550 or 555 but the 555 is such good value and is a true dedicated chassis 60cc saws. Hope this helps.

 

[CR888]

If you really want an echo get a 620p or cs500/490......not the cs550p. I bought my cs550p as it was mint condition for $300- and I wanted to try out one of echoes new saws. l bought mine having not ever seen one in the flesh or held one but I never use it as i have better saws that are much smaller lighter faster.

 

[7sleeper]

I own a 550p echo and a 550xp and 555 and ms261(non cm). Forget the Echo its way to big/bulky and heavy compared to a 550/555 or ms261. The echo is a pretty good saw but not anywhere near the same league as the others. If I was you, I would buy the 555 husky.......trust me I've put 100's of hours on the saws discussed here and if you want performance and value get the 555. Next inline would be the 550xp followed very closely by the ms261. Forget saving $200 buying the echo its simply a bad idea period. Echo make reliable saws that are well built but the 550p is the same size as a 7900 dolmar (80cc's) and is miles away in power to wieght ratio. Good luck, remember these saws discussed have a 2000hr service life so a saving of $200 to carry a big heavy bulky echo is madness. They also have a skinny front plastic handle that feels weird! The 261 has the best filtration and a factory option for double spikes but it has a silly 'micro spline' clutch drum. The 550xp has the fastest throttle responce is lightest/smallest and best balanced. The 555 has better torque than the 550 and is about the same size wieght as the ms261 but with 10cc's more power. My vote is either the 550 or 555 but the 555 is such good value and is a true dedicated chassis 60cc saws. Hope this helps.

There is some nonsense in this post so I would be careful as to how much weight I give it. There exists NO 2000hr service life whatsoever blah blah! Stihl, as all other manufacturers, have NEVER guarenteed any service life at all! So believing in any superior "life span" is simply idiotic!

@drewdude ,

What I find interesting is that you want a "durability, longevity, consistency and reliability is way more important to me than flat out performance" saw but are considering saws that have electronic carbs! ALL saws with electronic carbs require a dealer to read out, up date, etc. the carb! No idea where you are on newfoundland but with out a dealer in close proximity you are up the creek without a paddle with such a saw. I know there are MANY people who run electronic carb saws for hundreds of hours without any problems whatsoever, but there are quite a few threads on the net of users with serious problems, that have needed multiple visits to the dealer sometimes even fruitless. Further a problem with electronic carb saws is they easily mask serious problems(f.e. air leak) so long until the saw is truely dead.

Personally I wouldn't want such a saw around!

I have no idea how big the trees are in newfoundland are but if the Jonsered was the right size, why are you downgrading to a 50-55cc saw?

Echo has the reputation you are looking for without the potential difficulties, but there are a lot of other manufactureres as well. Dolmar(=Makita) would be another of the prime examples that comes to my mind.
For conventional saw technology, if you want a 50cc saw I would choose between the brand new(to the America's) Echo 501sx or a Dolmar 5101. If you want a 60cc saw I would choose between a Echo 590/600/620 or a Dolmar 6100 (which has probably the best air filtration on a 60cc saw at the moment!)

If you don't care about electronics, I would choose in the 50cc class between a Husqvarna 545(I have read from pros how are switching back to the 545 instead of the 550 because "in real life" there is not enough difference to warrent the price increase to the 550!) / 550 or the Stihl 261(you might be able to get a nice deal on the 261 as there is now a changeover to the new model!). I would NOT get the new model, because no one knows how well it will work over time(and any stupid talk about superiority of Stihl should remember that the 661 was recalled shortly after the release and not available for almost a year!)!

7

 

[Rockjock]

MS 261 C-M hands down. Dealer presence is important IMO. Now saying that I work at a Stihl/Echo dealership and I can tell you first hands down that Echo is no where in the same category as the Stihl in terms of support. Need a part? Stihl is 24 hours for shipping Echo 5-10 days. I am not even able to get echo to bring a timber kitty for our customer appreciation days because they are afraid that it will not do well in the demos!

 

[Rockjock]

There is some nonsense in this post so I would be careful as to how much weight I give it. There exists NO 2000hr service life whatsoever blah blah! Stihl, as all other manufacturers, have NEVER guarenteed any service life at all! So believing in any superior "life span" is simply idiotic!

@drewdude ,

What I find interesting is that you want a "durability, longevity, consistency and reliability is way more important to me than flat out performance" saw but are considering saws that have electronic carbs! ALL saws with electronic carbs require a dealer to read out, up date, etc. the carb! No idea where you are on newfoundland but with out a dealer in close proximity you are up the creek without a paddle with such a saw. I know there are MANY people who run electronic carb saws for hundreds of hours without any problems whatsoever, but there are quite a few threads on the net of users with serious problems, that have needed multiple visits to the dealer sometimes even fruitless. Further a problem with electronic carb saws is they easily mask serious problems(f.e. air leak) so long until the saw is truely dead.

Personally I wouldn't want such a saw around!

I have no idea how big the trees are in newfoundland are but if the Jonsered was the right size, why are you downgrading to a 50-55cc saw?

Echo has the reputation you are looking for without the potential difficulties, but there are a lot of other manufactureres as well. Dolmar(=Makita) would be another of the prime examples that comes to my mind.
For conventional saw technology, if you want a 50cc saw I would choose between the brand new(to the America's) Echo 501sx or a Dolmar 5101. If you want a 60cc saw I would choose between a Echo 590/600/620 or a Dolmar 6100 (which has probably the best air filtration on a 60cc saw at the moment!)

If you don't care about electronics, I would choose in the 50cc class between a Husqvarna 545(I have read from pros how are switching back to the 545 instead of the 550 because "in real life" there is not enough difference to warrent the price increase to the 550!) / 550 or the Stihl 261(you might be able to get a nice deal on the 261 as there is now a changeover to the new model!). I would NOT get the new model, because no one knows how well it will work over time(and any stupid talk about superiority of Stihl should remember that the 661 was recalled shortly after the release and not available for almost a year!)!

7

7 I was always curious about this recall. I was in Germany when this recall was to have happened and I had no issue in getting the saw. Also in Canada we had the 661 C-M a year before the US , be it a recall or they still having stock of the 660 I have only heard good things. Of the 20 or so sold from my location none have been an issue. We are in the throws of removing all the ash trees in Ontario and I know these saws are getting quite a workout so when I see the blokes that I sold them to I ask and I only receive praise. I do know if 1 unit with an issue but it is a case of the dealer not going the extra mile for the customer. I think it is fair to say that the 261 C-M has proven itself reliable and a good choice for the OP.

 

[drewdude]

I own a 550p echo and a 550xp and 555 and ms261(non cm). Forget the Echo its way to big/bulky and heavy compared to a 550/555 or ms261. The echo is a pretty good saw but not anywhere near the same league as the others. If I was you, I would buy the 555 husky.......trust me I've put 100's of hours on the saws discussed here and if you want performance and value get the 555. Next inline would be the 550xp followed very closely by the ms261. Forget saving $200 buying the echo its simply a bad idea period. Echo make reliable saws that are well built but the 550p is the same size as a 7900 dolmar (80cc's) and is miles away in power to wieght ratio. Good luck, remember these saws discussed have a 2000hr service life so a saving of $200 to carry a big heavy bulky echo is madness. They also have a skinny front plastic handle that feels weird! The 261 has the best filtration and a factory option for double spikes but it has a silly 'micro spline' clutch drum. The 550xp has the fastest throttle responce is lightest/smallest and best balanced. The 555 has better torque than the 550 and is about the same size wieght as the ms261 but with 10cc's more power. My vote is either the 550 or 555 but the 555 is such good value and is a true dedicated chassis 60cc saws. Hope this helps.

It was the MS 261 C-M that's on sale, it's regular 800 cad and on sale for 600 cad... So is the 555 still worth it considering that deal?

 

[drewdude]

There is some nonsense in this post so I would be careful as to how much weight I give it. There exists NO 2000hr service life whatsoever blah blah! Stihl, as all other manufacturers, have NEVER guarenteed any service life at all! So believing in any superior "life span" is simply idiotic!

@drewdude ,

What I find interesting is that you want a "durability, longevity, consistency and reliability is way more important to me than flat out performance" saw but are considering saws that have electronic carbs! ALL saws with electronic carbs require a dealer to read out, up date, etc. the carb! No idea where you are on newfoundland but with out a dealer in close proximity you are up the creek without a paddle with such a saw. I know there are MANY people who run electronic carb saws for hundreds of hours without any problems whatsoever, but there are quite a few threads on the net of users with serious problems, that have needed multiple visits to the dealer sometimes even fruitless. Further a problem with electronic carb saws is they easily mask serious problems(f.e. air leak) so long until the saw is truely dead.

Personally I wouldn't want such a saw around!

I have no idea how big the trees are in newfoundland are but if the Jonsered was the right size, why are you downgrading to a 50-55cc saw?

Echo has the reputation you are looking for without the potential difficulties, but there are a lot of other manufactureres as well. Dolmar(=Makita) would be another of the prime examples that comes to my mind.
For conventional saw technology, if you want a 50cc saw I would choose between the brand new(to the America's) Echo 501sx or a Dolmar 5101. If you want a 60cc saw I would choose between a Echo 590/600/620 or a Dolmar 6100 (which has probably the best air filtration on a 60cc saw at the moment!)

If you don't care about electronics, I would choose in the 50cc class between a Husqvarna 545(I have read from pros how are switching back to the 545 instead of the 550 because "in real life" there is not enough difference to warrent the price increase to the 550!) / 550 or the Stihl 261(you might be able to get a nice deal on the 261 as there is now a changeover to the new model!). I would NOT get the new model, because no one knows how well it will work over time(and any stupid talk about superiority of Stihl should remember that the 661 was recalled shortly after the release and not available for almost a year!)!

7

The sale is on the older model so that they can clear the shelves and bring in the new ones... the sale is off once they are gone... That's what all three dealers nearby said anyways.

I was interested in the dolmar/Makita idea but there are no dealers anywhere close...

And I'm okay with a saw between the 50 and 60cc range... The trees Around are average 12" or so in diameter with some way bigger ones and the trees are mostly birch, fir, spruce or juniper.

So really though I should be considering the 555 over the cs550p... there are a couple around and the local dealers and I loved the ergonomics with it... More so than the ms261 c-m, but the Stihl is on a great sale and there are so many dealers within 30minutes of my house. I also like the idea that the 555 is 60 cc and feels about the same weight and is less complicated than the 562 or 550 xp

 

[7sleeper]

7 I was always curious about this recall. I was in Germany when this recall was to have happened and I had no issue in getting the saw. Also in Canada we had the 661 C-M a year before the US , be it a recall or they still having stock of the 660 I have only heard good things. Of the 20 or so sold from my location none have been an issue. We are in the throws of removing all the ash trees in Ontario and I know these saws are getting quite a workout so when I see the blokes that I sold them to I ask and I only receive praise. I do know if 1 unit with an issue but it is a case of the dealer not going the extra mile for the customer. I think it is fair to say that the 261 C-M has proven itself reliable and a good choice for the OP.

@Rockjock
As always I can only quote what I have heard since I am no dealer. What I have heard from dealers in Europe was that they were required to return unsold 661 and encorage owners of 661 to return them for either replacement 660 or wait until the "refurbished" version arrives. WHY? I have no idea, but the rumors are that the cylinder coating was problematic on some samples, if true who knows. What I find fantastic is that Stihl had the cojones to pull the recall off and have costomers wait! Not like other brands where the "product ripe's at the customer"... Some members of other forums mentioned that they never had a problem with their "first generation" 661. So what was really going on someone knows but won't tell...

@drewdude ,
If you can get a nice deal on a 261 it is of course one of the top options! What you should NOT exclude is how you feel when holding the saw. Does it "fit" your person like your favorit pair of hicking boots? For me spending money on equipment has seldom to do with "great sale". Of course I am happy with money saved but I would still not have that argument as a top priority. If you liked the 555, have you tried out a husqvarna 545? The same principle applies as to the 555, the 545 is the slightly detuned version of the 550. Pro's over here have stated buying it and the 555 instead of the 550 / 560/ 561 because performance wise, at the end of the day, they have the same amount of wood on the ground. This is real world experience from people who do this professionally!
Of course the argument of replacement parts is valid and we all know murphy's law! I am sure when you absolutely need your saw it will be broken and replacement parts will not be available... On the other hand I like saying a chain saw is the next evolutionary step of the hammer. Very simple and primitive. With these requirements, when do brand new saws really become defective? What I have seen and read, EXTREMELY seldom in a homeowner setting! We are talking of about a decade of use before problems emerge. So I am NOT afraid of not having a dealer around. Just take the recomended precautions and you should not have any problems.

Personally for your type & diametre of wood, I would take a 40cc saw.

7

 

[drewdude]

7 I was always curious about this recall. I was in Germany when this recall was to have happened and I had no issue in getting the saw. Also in Canada we had the 661 C-M a year before the US , be it a recall or they still having stock of the 660 I have only heard good things. Of the 20 or so sold from my location none have been an issue. We are in the throws of removing all the ash trees in Ontario and I know these saws are getting quite a workout so when I see the blokes that I sold them to I ask and I only receive praise. I do know if 1 unit with an issue but it is a case of the dealer not going the extra mile for the customer. I think it is fair to say that the 261 C-M has proven itself reliable and a good choice for the OP.

I never got to read your responses before i posted my previous replies, was checking it out on a cell phone. Thank you for your responses though! I'm definitly between the 555/261 at the moment... 555 because it felt around the same weight as the 261 with more power... and it seemed really well built. not saying the 261 didn't seem well built. But I'm leaning more towards the stihl because I've had bad luck with husky products in the past, there are also a bunch of stihl dealers nearby and at the sale price it seems like great bang for the buck.

 

[drewdude]

@Rockjock
As always I can only quote what I have heard since I am no dealer. What I have heard from dealers in Europe was that they were required to return unsold 661 and encorage owners of 661 to return them for either replacement 660 or wait until the "refurbished" version arrives. WHY? I have no idea, but the rumors are that the cylinder coating was problematic on some samples, if true who knows. What I find fantastic is that Stihl had the cojones to pull the recall off and have costomers wait! Not like other brands where the "product ripe's at the customer"... Some members of other forums mentioned that they never had a problem with their "first generation" 661. So what was really going on someone knows but won't tell...

@drewdude ,
If you can get a nice deal on a 261 it is of course one of the top options! What you should NOT exclude is how you feel when holding the saw. Does it "fit" your person like your favorit pair of hicking boots? For me spending money on equipment has seldom to do with "great sale". Of course I am happy with money saved but I would still not have that argument as a top priority. If you liked the 555, have you tried out a husqvarna 545? The same principle applies as to the 555, the 545 is the slightly detuned version of the 550. Pro's over here have stated buying it and the 555 instead of the 550 / 560/ 561 because performance wise, at the end of the day, they have the same amount of wood on the ground. This is real world experience from people who do this professionally!
Of course the argument of replacement parts is valid and we all know murphy's law! I am sure when you absolutely need your saw it will be broken and replacement parts will not be available... On the other hand I like saying a chain saw is the next evolutionary step of the hammer. Very simple and primitive. With these requirements, when do brand new saws really become defective? What I have seen and read, EXTREMELY seldom in a homeowner setting! We are talking of about a decade of use before problems emerge. So I am NOT afraid of not having a dealer around. Just take the recomended precautions and you should not have any problems.

Personally for your type & diametre of wood, I would take a 40cc saw.

7

Yea, I'm thinking 50cc - 60cc as it will be my only saw and I prefer the extra power just in case.

 

[blsnelling]

Go with which ever one feels best in your hands. Seriously.

 

[schneid]

Go with which ever one feels best in your hands. Seriously.

x2

Local in Alberta;

MS261cm (Type 1)-$599CAD, 11.4lbs, 3.8HP
555- $799CAD, 12.3lbs, 4.3HP
CS590-$599CAD, 13.2lbs, 4.1HP
CS490- $499CAD, 10.6lbs, 3HP
MS241cm- $649CAD, 9.9lbs, 3.1HP

 

[drewdude]

x2

Local in Alberta;

MS261cm (Type 1)-$599CAD, 11.4lbs, 3.8HP
555- $799CAD, 12.3lbs, 4.3HP
CS590-$599CAD, 13.2lbs, 4.1HP
CS490- $499CAD, 10.6lbs, 3HP
MS241cm- $649CAD, 9.9lbs, 3.1HP

With that being said and from what I have gathered... The cs490 and CBS 590 aren't even near the level of the rest mentioned... And yea that 555 seems like the best power to weight... Just so much more expensive right now.

What are they doing with the type 2 261 anyways?

 

[Rockjock]

With that being said and from what I have gathered... The cs490 and CBS 590 aren't even near the level of the rest mentioned... And yea that 555 seems like the best power to weight... Just so much more expensive right now.

What are they doing with the type 2 261 anyways?

seems it will be a little lighter and a little more powerful. But at 599 for the " old " model I would say grab it while you can. Today I sold off the rest that I had, I have a display left and I think one in reserve.. Next order will be " new " ones at full pop.