No one compared a 290 to a mod 359, since the 290 is no more. I said a stock 291 (the 290 replacement) and a stock 359 would be close.
Price on MS290 Farm Boss
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No one compared a 290 to a mod 359, since the 290 is no more. I said a stock 291 (the 290 replacement) and a stock 359 would be close.
TreeTangler
ArboristSite Guru
My apologies on that one. However, unless the ms291 is leaps and bounds above the ms290, I would still put my stock 359 up against it any day. However, I will not state that the 359 is better "UNTIL I ACTUALLY RUN THE MS291"!
I know the 359 is a good saw, have you done any mods to your saw. I was just stating they have improved the 291 over the old 290. I have a small husky that I top with. I have had it since 2002. But for me I have a stihl dealer 5 miles from me, the next one is 10 miles and its on my way to work. I have the 291 its still factory. I will post a video up.
TreeTangler
ArboristSite Guru
Now we're getting somewhere. I have two 359's, one stock and one that's been played with a bit. Wait, my "stock" 359 has had a muffler mod and the carb tuned to run like it should. When I'm comparing it to the ms290, I'm comparing to a saw that has had the exact same work done to it by myself so I consider it a level playing field. Yes the 359 is a good saw and yes the ms290 is a good saw, but they are nowhere near the same saw. Is the ms291 a better saw then the ms290, I sure hope so and in all actuality it probably is. Is it equal to a 359? That I honestly don't know, I will have to run a 291 to figure that out.
Opinions are different for everybody and plentiful on this board. However, it is important to keep opinions and facts separate. If you love your 290, there really isn't a problem with that, you'll find plenty of others here the that feel the same.
TreeTangler
ArboristSite Guru
Certainly looks to be an improvement over the ms291. One of these days I'm going to have to learn how to take and post up some vids. Still looks like it would benefit from letting it breathe a little bit. At least the chain seems sharp lol.
sunfish
Fish Head
My brother has a ms290 muff modded and a 359 muff modded. He only uses the 359 now. I've run both and would give the ms290 away free to some poor soul who needs a saw, but has no money. I drive one hour to the Husky/Stihl dealer and have a Stihl dealer 20 minutes away... Now lets talk about how easy it is to work on either saw. 
Looks like the ms291 is a better saw than the 290. I will not talk bad about it until I try one.
Looks like the ms291 is a better saw than the 290. I will not talk bad about it until I try one.
missedbass
ArboristSite Operative
fair enough!
missedbass
ArboristSite Operative
Just try it. I like my ms271 so a ms291 should be stronger. If you try it and don't like it then bash away!My brother has a ms290 muff modded and a 359 muff modded. He only uses the 359 now. I've run both and would give the ms290 away free to some poor soul who needs a saw, but has no money. I drive one hour to the Husky/Stihl dealer and have a Stihl dealer 20 minutes away... Now lets talk about how easy it is to work on either saw.
Looks like the ms291 is a better saw than the 290. I will not talk bad about it until I try one.
bryanr2
Addicted to ArboristSite
what's a "stock" saw?
I void the warranty before they ever see fuel.
I void the warranty before they ever see fuel.
Not to derail, but I think its funny how anyone that ran a ms290 (other than die hard stihl fans) knew the HP rating was off no matter what german company verified it @ (2.8kw-3.8hp). Now the ms291 is way stronger and faster @ (2.8kw-3.76hp)
I've always thought it was rather sleazy of Stihl to over rate that saw. Steve
It may have put that much power out. But may been at a lower rpm
Well what do you say about a pro saw at 3.5hp and a semi pro/farmer saw at 3.5hp? Somehow the pro saw always seems stronger and faster! I donot believe that the 3.8hp was off by anything. It is just the same as always when comparing a pro and semi pro/farmer model. The pro saw accelerates much faster so it seems that it is stronger and faster and the cuts seem to verify this.
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sunfish
Fish Head
The specs on paper never tell the whole story...
I see a lot of bashing of the ms290 and a lot of comparison to other saws.
The op wasn’t asking witch is better, just if he could get one with the fetchers he wanted and the average price.
The price is around $400.00 for a new ms290 with up to a 20” bar.
If you want a good dependable work horse that starts easy, runs great and will cut good and will last, it’s a good choice for an average home/ranch owner.
There also easy to work on and parts are easy to find should you ever need to work on it.
The op wasn’t asking witch is better, just if he could get one with the fetchers he wanted and the average price.
The price is around $400.00 for a new ms290 with up to a 20” bar.
If you want a good dependable work horse that starts easy, runs great and will cut good and will last, it’s a good choice for an average home/ranch owner.
There also easy to work on and parts are easy to find should you ever need to work on it.
missedbass
ArboristSite Operative
He did say, "Any reason not to get one at this price?" -- These are the reasons and opinions that followed.
