Thread: Solo 694

Ever since Jeff Sikkema posted pics of the solo 694 I was just wondering if anyone has picked up one of these saws?

Its a cool saw no doubt, but there is no dealer network to speak off and its underpowered and heavier than a 066

I have one, I may gas it up and see how it does against an 066.

I ran one at the Louisville Expo back in July. I found it to be anything but under powered. As a matter of fact, I thought it had very good power, as well as, balance. 694 runs at 13,500! I think it may be a case of relying to heavily on manufac. posted tech data in literature. The only true way, IMHO, is to run em'.

I'm sure Jeff and Dagger have run the 694. I'd like to hear their twist on that saw.
Seesaw

Maybe seesaw, but when compared to a 066(its competition) it is still heavier and the 066 still has more "rated" power. Top that with the fact that Stihl actually has a dealer network and its a no brainer in my book. I would love to see Solo gain a foothold in the market because competitionis good, but I dont see that happening till they get a dealer sytem set up. I know they have dealers, but all the ones I contacted only sold backpack sprayers and blowers(which I heard are first rate bTW).

I'm w/ya on the dealer support thing Walker. As far as the weight goes... I have them as the same. You seem to be comparing what I might call a "bulldog" saw with a high rpm saw. To me, these are very different ways to get the same job done. Low-end torque (we all know how that is produced) as opposed to high R torue gaining saws. Let's face it, rpm's create torque.
Solo is where Stihl and Husqvarna were 20 years ago. Trying to cut a path in the American market. The have been making and selling power equipment since 1948. They invented the first direct-drive chainsaw in the 1950's. Their blocks are treated in the very same plant as Stihl blocks. Same molly treatment (Nikasil). You'd swear the two companies were related if you opened up a saw. Their marketing plan differed from the other two,. They are in 85 coutries with 9 distributors and 1,170 dealers in the US in less than 2 years. Do they have the marketing tools to compete in the American market? We shall see. It's obvious that marketing can influece a consumer intohinking "we're the line to have and our chit is great" Husky and Stil have done that w/tons of marketing bucks. Dealers and consumers have absorbed this and have, as a result, relinquished perspective. There are better choices out there if we take our head out of the marketing quicksand.

I have them as the same

Really? Solo's site list it as weighing 1 KG more than the 066. 2.26 lb is equal to 1 kg, so its quit a bit heavier. It also makes less power. Dont get me wrong. I think Solo has some great ideas and I think the saw is as good quality wise as a Stihl, bu the numbers just dont get it.

Let's face it, rpm's create torque.

Yes, but most people dont care about peak torque numbers . They care about a nice fat low rpm torque curve.

Same molly treatment (Nikasil).

I dont doubt it as Mahle I believe makes cylinders for huskie and stihl. BTW nikasil is not a moly type coating. Moly is sometimes used as a saccrificial coating on piston skirts, but not on cylinders.

Thanks for the correction Ben. I'll have to check my figures again (should have done that before I posted). Now that I go back and re-read my post, I see that I mis-spoke. I was trying to say that Solo's cylinders are impregnated w/Nikasil just like the other two. Does that make sense? I'm not real savy when it comes to forging and such, obviously.

There is a joint venture forming between Dolmar and Solo - the 694 is made by Dolmar (PS9010) for Solo. For those interested this will give you a larger dealer base for the same product. There is much 'rumor' about what all will be made by each company and sold under the others name, but at this time I am not aware of the details so I will not add t the rumor mill.
Terry

D_T_M
just curious was the Solo 690 made by Dolmar?

The 690 was as far as I know completley made by Solo.

Terry

well one thing i can say is, the solo i have sure is pretty red color.

AS far as I know, everything up until the advent of the 694(9010) has been all Solo. It's my understanding that Solo went to Dolmar because the 690 didn't pass US EPA. The result was a real nice saw. The joint cooperation they may now exercise could be phenominal! We are talking about two great (small) German saw manufacturers, getting together to develope outstanding equipment. The whole "two heads" thing.
I'm excited and I'm sure Terry is, as well. This could be the answer to competeing in the US market against the other German company???

I am excited about the idea of making Dolmar GROW, to be honest I'm tired of being the best ????ed saws nobody has ever heard of.

Terry