Echo Chainsaws

[smeath]

Well what have we here, another brand from japan. What are your experiences with echo. Have they been good? Have they been bad? What mods have you done? What deal did you get.
Lets talk echo chainsaws and get fan discussion happening and maybe mods may put this a a sticky opcorn:

 

[pgg]

Lets talk echo chainsaws and get fan discussion happening

Sweet Jesus give me strength, my nightmares have come true...

 

[dellwas]

Do a search there are already discussion threads on this....

 

[Garman]

Sweet Jesus give me strength, my nightmares have come true...

 

[miking]

They've been nothing but excellent for me. My 530 has replaced a 260 pro I used to run and my 680 has had less time on it, but has done everything I've asked it to do. My new 600P though, seems better than both. All are value priced and worht much more than I paid for them. A heck of a good deal for a chainsaw in my opinion.

 

[Cliff R]

Echo makes some really nice stuff, some OK stuff, and a few pathetically "anemic" models.

At one point or another I've owned and ran just about everything in their line-up except for the new CS-450 and 600P.

The little reed valve top handle saws are pathetically underpowered, but they work fine until you don't get the cap back over the mixture screws or loose it, and they suck a wood chip into the reed valve assembly.

The CS-360T is bulky/awkward for a top handle, but a real "runner" with the muffler unplugged and some fuel put to it.

The CS-370/400's are excellent for "homeowner" grade saws in that price range. They are NOT high speed designs, but make great mid-range power and grunt for the cc's. I really love to run them for limbing and small jobs, and they run just about forever on a tank of fuel.

The CS-440 is OK, but not overly impressive for the cc.

The CS-510/520's are EXCELLENT, IMHO a "home-run" in their line-up. All I did to mine was give it some fuel and remove the restrictive pipe inside the muffler. Smooth, excellent anti-vibe, PLENTY of power and rpms for the cc's. It smoked my Shindaiwa 488 and Poulan 330 in timed cuts, and runs equally as well as my closed port 55's if not a tad better.

The CS-6700/670's are OK as well, but not on par anyplace with a 262XP or 268XP Husqvarna. I sold both of my CS-670's and loaned out my CS-6700 over a year ago and don't even miss it.

I dumped my CS-800 on Ebay as well, it wouldn't hold a candle to a Husqvarna 480 or 181, and what were they thinking with the rubber plug over the mixture screws and flat/felt air filter? At least they could have used an automotive round filter like most of the modern varieties.

There's my view(s) on Echo's in a nutshell.....Cliff

 

[Bob Wright]

Well what have we here, another brand from japan. What are your experiences with echo.

Where do you want me to start with them 1973 when i saw my first one or now with 15 of them in my garage. I worked in my dads dealership for 10 years and got to do everything with chainsaws that everyone here now is trying to do. I got to run, play and work on saws and got paid for it. I have run every model from the early 70's to mid 80's when i left. I don't know alot about the new stuff i just see it never ran much of it. I have some real old mid 60's saws that still run great. A 1972 that runs nice and a couple models from 30cc to 100cc that i love. You being in Au can still get the older Moliblco badged ones....Bob

 

[PLMCRZY]

I got a 370 it does great for what i have used it for. If i was to get a bigger saw 60cc+ i would go with something different though stihl, husky, or even a dolmar.

 

[Bob Wright]

I got a 370 it does great for what i have used it for. If i was to get a bigger saw 60cc+ i would go with something different .

Echo CS-60S would fill that slot. Tough, dependable, and still being made after 45 years. I have 8 of them...Bob

 

[Bob Wright]

Hey Smeath you guys can get the CS-1201 in your part of the world, we can't get it in the US...Bob
http://www.echo-worldwide.com/products/lineup.html?cate=cate.chainsaws

 

[PLMCRZY]

Echo CS-60S would fill that slot. Tough, dependable, and still being made after 45 years. I have 8 of them...Bob

I like your selling tactics!

 

[dellwas]

Okay, might as well join the fray after all :greenchainsaw:

I've got two, a 340 and a new 600. I bought the 600 because of my experience with the 340. That little saw cut stuff it wasn't designed to do, and just keeps ticking. I"ve had it since 2004, and decided this year to replace my old Poulan 46cc saw with the 600.

Glad I did, it's a charm to use. Mine has a 20 inch bar and chain, and man it cuts something fierce.

No regrets so far....

They've been nothing but excellent for me. My 530 has replaced a 260 pro I used to run and my 680 has had less time on it, but has done everything I've asked it to do. My new 600P though, seems better than both. All are value priced and worht much more than I paid for them. A heck of a good deal for a chainsaw in my opinion.

 

[o8f150]

have only used echos for years now and never had 1 minute problem with them,,have been VERY reliable,,i know everyone is ALWAYS saying that they won't cut as fast as husky and stihls but who cares,,i care about reliability,,
as you can see by my signature thats the only saws i own, the 530 and 370 are screamers,,the 310 is good for smaller branches and the 670 has been a real good runner with the 20" b/c,,,the only mods i have done to them is mufflers and trimmed the limiters,which has really brought them to life,,for the money and reliability you cant go wrong with the echos,,i have nothing negative to say about them

 

[ms290]

When I lived on the other side of the state i nearly bought an echo. im still not sure i wont buy one ill need to see some more reviews but my little MS 170 is ready to bite the dust and needs a future replacement.

 

[Bob Wright]

I have never modded any of mine just fine tuned them. But mine are all the older ones without all the new junk on them. I really don't care how fast they cut either no one is timing me cutting firewood like i have been doing for 34 years and 33 of that is with the same Echo saw. Even my CS-1001VL is a joy to run i just need to find some bigger trees i cut them all up...Bob

 

[jmethodrose]

here in the UK, I don't know anyone who runs Echo, with the exception of one carver who uses a very small one as a carving saw, don't know the model.

It seems to be here dealers are very few and far between, and prices are the same or higher than Stihl or Husky. I paid £460 for my 346xp - a Echo CS-510 is £510 online, plus no local dealers...

are echo cheaper than Stihl/Husky in the states?

cheers,
Joe

 

[mountainlake]

here in the UK, I don't know anyone who runs Echo, with the exception of one carver who uses a very small one as a carving saw, don't know the model.

It seems to be here dealers are very few and far between, and prices are the same or higher than Stihl or Husky. I paid £460 for my 346xp - a Echo CS-510 is £510 online, plus no local dealers...

are echo cheaper than Stihl/Husky in the states?

cheers,
Joe

There's some good deals on Ebay, CS600p for just over $400, best buy out there. CS400 right around $200 , with muff mod and tuning they really cut. Husky 346xp is around $490 here. Steve

 

[Saw Dr.]

have only used echos for years now and never had 1 minute problem with them,,have been VERY reliable,,i know everyone is ALWAYS saying that they won't cut as fast as husky and stihls but who cares,,i care about reliability,,
as you can see by my signature thats the only saws i own, the 530 and 370 are screamers,,the 310 is good for smaller branches and the 670 has been a real good runner with the 20" b/c,,,the only mods i have done to them is mufflers and trimmed the limiters,which has really brought them to life,,for the money and reliability you cant go wrong with the echos,,i have nothing negative to say about them

Funny you should mention that. There was a guy on here not too long ago from up your way. He was an Echo guy also. He bought a bigger Echo (8000 maybe) and had all sorts of trouble with it. Poor guy ended up having to list it on Ebay with a shady description in order to unload it.

 

[mountainlake]

Funny you should mention that. There was a guy on here not too long ago from up your way. He was an Echo guy also. He bought a bigger Echo (8000 maybe) and had all sorts of trouble with it. Poor guy ended up having to list it on Ebay with a shady description in order to unload it.

That's funny , I know of people with Huskys and Stihls with all sorts of problems also, da . I've been running Echo saws for 9 years now and have had 1 AV mount fail. Steve

 

[REJ2]

I own one and wouldn't hesitate to buy another. My CS530 will probably still be cutting long after my Huskys have expired. REJ2