Stihl 280 CQS or 260 Pro ?

[TonyM]

Funny story about Solo. A few years ago, Solo was making a saw for Sears based on the 651SP. I bought one on ebay from Sears when they were getting rid of inventory, and sold it to a friend of mine. He stripped out the threads on the oil cap, so I told him about a dealership I knew of, and he went there to get an oil cap. They sold him an oil cap for a Poulan that didn't even fit because they swore Solo never made a Craftsman saw. It looks just like the Solo version, just forest green instead of red!

Oh, and Moze, here's a 651SP. I'm not sure about the color though. Solos are red I thought.

Solo 651SP 3.6 Hp 10.8 lb

Here's a 650

Solo 650

These are consumer models more similar to the Stihl MS250.

 

[Moze]

Thanks Glen, I appreciate it. I agree, the quick chin adjustment is a pretty cool feature. I can't imagine the saw breaking down as little as I'll be using it, which is why I'm having a hard time justifying the price of the 260 Pro. Then again, the 280 CQS is only $20 less, but $20 is $20. Then AGAIN, that little Dolmar on Ebay is about $120 less than even the Stihl 280...Guess I'm not sure what to base a final decision on...

 

[glens]

Don't let these guys sway you from your original course!  LOL.

Glen

 

[TonyM]

Hey, he asked, "what's the scoop on Dolmars?" I just try to be as objective as I can. I never tried to steer him in any direction

 

[Moze]

OK, so you can buy the Stihl 260 Pro, the 280 CQS, or the Dolmar 540...is there a hands-down winner, or does it come to personal preference?

 

[glens]

It's hands-down personal preference, and that's what makes whatever <i>you</i> choose the winner.

I'm a Stihl fan.&nbsp; They make the best bars, the best chain, and the overall engineering choices appeal to me the best.

I'll bow out now, since I've tipped my hand.

Glen

 

[bwalker]

Get the 260! Support for the Dolmar is only slightly better than for Solo and the 260 will out cut a 540 by a significant margin. The antivibe on the 280 may be of a newer design, but in actuality felt very soft when I handled one at the dealers. The 280 is basicly a warmed over 029.

 

[sedanman]

Ben, How wrong you are! The 270/280 are not built on the same design as the 290/310. The ONLY thing they have in common is a horizontally split crankcase which has not been the weak link on any saw built this way.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Parts for Solo's isn't that hard. I have ordered parts on their website and have not been let down yet.


Although being able to get parts at a local dealer is better.


How many times have you walked into a Stihl or Husky dealer looking for a part and it had to be ordered...........not much different from what Solo does!

 

[TonyM]

Out of the three you've mentioned, if money were not much of a deciding factor, I'd get the MS260. If money were a major consideration, I'd get the PS-540. It really comes down to personal preference, as Glens said.

I shopped around quite a bit for a saw in that class. Had an 029 Super, it was a tank, but okay saw. Had an 026 Pro, one with a fixed jet carb, never quite ran right. Bought a 651 Solo, and have really liked it, and since ported it myself. Also have a PS-540, and enjoy it as well, but grab the Solo when I want to get the job done. I've had a ported Husqvarna 346XP, and that was a great little saw, maybe a touch better than the modified Solo, but very expensive. I have a used Dolmar 115 on the way from an ebay purchase, and am looking forward to trying it out, and maybe modifying it.

Were any of the saws leaps and bounds better. No. They each have stand out characteristics, and they each have their weak points. Right now I go to the Solo, even though the shorcomings of the Solo are the soft anti-vibe system, some what of a cheap feeling to it, and lack of dealer support. There is always a trade off. I think Stihl and Husqvarna have done a pretty good job of balancing all the characteristics, and that's probably why they are the leading brands.

You certainly won't be sorry if you get the MS260. I think you will be happiest if you throw price out of the equation and pick the saw you want. Then get the funds to buy it. A couple hundred dollars over 10-15 years doesn't hurt as bad as 10-15 years of having a saw you settled on because the price was right. I know for me, I always end up spending more when I try the cheap way out. I end up going and buying the more expensive item in the end anyway, because I can't stand wondering!

 

[stihltech]

saws

I think the 280 is a sleeper saw. As far as opening the muffler, I would break in in well first. I think I have a modded one on the shelf.
The newest 260 pros are running very nicely. I have more users putting on 3/8 chain and it pulls it very nicely, without any mods.
Save a little, buy a 280. Spend a little, buy a 260.

 

[rustyb]

Re 260 & chain.

"I have more users putting on 3/8 chain and it pulls it very nicely, without any mods".

Hi Stilhtech,

My 260 came with 3/8" chain & all of the 260's I have seen at the dealers here come with 3/8". Are there regional differences or has Stihl changed something recently?

r

 

[Moze]

I think the 280 is a sleeper saw.

PArdon my lack of knowledge...what do you mean by a 'sleeper'?

 

[SawTroll]

361/357

........... As Paul stated if you want a little more saw which most do after a awhile get the 361. I would surmise very rarely to people trade down in saw compares to up. Did you look at the Husqvarna 357xp. Glens he's all yours now.

According to KWF/DLG tests (supposedly neutral, but nevertheless german)the 361 weights .3 kg (2/3 of a pound) (5.6 kg vs 5.9) less than a 357, and puts out more max power (3.4 kw vs 3.0). :blob5:

The test results are shown in this tread, post 39: http://www.arboristsite.com/printthread.php?t=19155

And yes, I know that both saws are adverticed at 3.2 kw in the USA.
In Europe they are adverticed at 3.4 (361) and 3.2 (357).

Into the bargain, where I live, the 357 costs substansially more than the 361.

 

[SawTroll]

260/280

Here are the DLG/KWF tests on 260 and 280.

280:http://www.dlg-test.de/pbdocs/5178.pdf

260:http://www.dlg-test.de/pbdocs/5098.pdf

These tests sure has their limitations though, as they say little about quality and longevity of the products.

 

[Moze]

So again, are there any U.S. websites that sell Dolmars (with the Dolmar name and color) or even the Makita version?

 

[bwalker]

The 270/280 are not built on the same design as the 290/310.

I never said they where, but they are both homeowner saws.

 

[bwalker]

How many times have you walked into a Stihl or Husky dealer looking for a part and it had to be ordered...........not much different from what Solo does!

The differance is, Rich a stihl or Husky part will be to me in several days and may not even require ordering in the first place. With dolmar or sol, or any of the other off brands you are going to have to order right off the bat. In the case of Dolmar I waited three weeks for a plastic piece. Face it Solo, or Dolmar cant have the distribution network or parts inventory of the large OPE companies like Stihl and Husky.

 

[stihltech]

sleeper

I think there is quite a bit of free power to be had, and the little extra power it has over a 260 to begin with will be quite evident after someone has used one for a while.
Just my opinion.
All of our 260's come with .325 chain. Maybe it is a regional thing, much more hardwood here. All I can say is that there is a noticable difference in how the newest ones are running.

 

[Moze]

Thanks Stihltech. My problem is I can't find anyone (even reps) that have actually used the 280 CQS. I have to say I like the fact that it's not only less expensive, but it has a little more horsepower, the quick chain tightener, the decompression valve, the ElastoStart, and the extra braking feature (safer is always a big plus). I just wish I could find someone that has used them extensively and could highly recommend them.