Yeah, I want to run one, but only for CAD reasons, as it isn't likely it runs so much faster or has that much better mileage, as to have one duck in a flock of swans, LOL, but I do want to try it, to check its mileage and powerband from my working point of view. The problem with getting a foreigner into or around my stable of Stihls is sometimes prices and a lot of parts/chain issues. Everything I have fits everything else, and I have my own stock pile and all for very cheap. Thats why for my setup things have to be really outstanding, before I would change anything, and if I change it, its all getting changed, and usually they have to be different by a decent amount in the MPG or speed area (with quality a given). I am quite adaptable to "feel" of a saw, and I don't give in to 1-2 second cookie cutting differences, so something will have to be really good, before I have any desire to look at it. Here on Arboristsite, nobody cares about efficiency, they just all flock to the latest .4 second faster saw, irregardless of build quality or efficiency. A modded 441 has been the one of the most efficient wood cutting saws, if not the most efficient wood cutting saws, that I have tried out or look into extensively from a timber fallers point of view, it is lightweight, fast and gets mileage out of this world for its speed. No other saw is in its class in all areas.
That said, as soon as the 441 Mtronic came out I wanted to swap every 441 to that system, when the 576AT shows up, and runs with it, then I want to check its mileage mostly, because I think these Mtronic/Autotuned Strato saws are where its at for higher production cutting. I don't think Husky has the build quality of Stihl to the Nth degree, but they are quite good and dependable for the pro, the 576AT is in the same league as far as speed, so for me there is just checking the mileage, for me to have the thing "wrung out", from the point of view that efficiency would have.
I want Stihl to win, but I want it to always have some stiff competition, to keep them thinking, LOL, and I think the 576AT is right there and maybe surpased it by a little, but other than the 576AT, I see the rest of the 70cc competition quite a ways back.
I really wonder about this new 461, if it doesn't have the AV and good MPG engine, I don't see it taking the 441Mtronic in efficiency, it will beat it in sales, but Stihl has to make a saw for those blind followers of the 460 that think just because its been around for 100 years its the best, when that isn't the case, its reliable as all get out, but its very inefficient.
They are likely making the 461 non-strato so that the saleman can tell the "stuck in a rut" logger "NO", when he asks if its "One of those damm, new, fangled Strato saws." That alone will bring the 460 followers over to the 461. I do think if the 461 doesn't have a strato'd engine it will be hard to beat in efficiency, as the engine design that we think they went with is tops.
The second old feature will be the rubber mounted AV, for all of those that can't adjust to the feel of the Steel spring AV systems. I never understood, that one, steels springs are a better system, there are millions of Husky operators that have "adjusted" to it, yet when it comes to the same (or better) version of it on the 441, suddenly we can't "adjust to the feel of it".
Anyways, I think the future is looking bright for the new saw tech, the 441CM and 576AT will likely keep each other sharp, and it will be interesting to see what comes out different on the 461, and from what I've heard the 661 is already a winner in working circles, just have to get it into production, which Stihl should do and does consistently do a great job of ironing out the wrinkles before they introduce a new model.
Sam
