Newbie purchaed 562xp-gw

[7sleeper]

I see it similar to @SAWMIKAZE , in the 40cc class the 241 & 543 clearly are a more modern concept and weigh less. Although as soon as the 421 looses it's cat the weight gap closes substantially but is still there. Powerwise and build qualitywise there is hardly a difference.

An alternativ all too often neglected is the echo 501sx at 50cc/2.57kw ~ 3.5hp/ 4.7kg!

What disturbs me on the new 241 is that they f.e. exchanged the steel screws to aluminum screws for the weight loss. Of course a pro doesn't care much but for me as a homeowner I am not convinced.

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[drf255]

An echo 490 is a great semi-pro saw. Mag cases and lots of torque for a saw its size.

Pretty wonderful modified.

 

[Mike R]

Drf255 .... Now you got me thinking I should have kept my cs530, lol

 

[svk]

550xp

 

[Mike R]

550xp

Why the 550 over the 562? I notice your sig has both

 

[MountainHigh]

Hello folks,
Now that I have it home I am thinking it might be too much of a saw, if there is such a thing. So I was thinking about trading down to another 50cc pro saw. My question is .... Will I regret the down size .... Is it just a case of getting use to the 60cc saw....is there truly a noticeable difference in weight between the 50cc and the 60cc , I know the numbers show there is but in real world sistuation is it considerable ... I am only a homeowner with hopes of buying more land in the future thanks. And what a great site. I have CAD setting in so I am good with a two saw plan. So keep the 562 and get a 40cc or get the 50cc for now and later get a 70cc

If you want one saw and the 562 feels too much, you definitely don't want a 70cc saw, I'd also suggest go with a 550xp.
But if you want to keep the 562 for those bigger jobs like I do, get a nice ea4300/421 - love this little powerhouse saw and its priced cheap like borscht.

 

[7sleeper]

For a hobbyfirewooder the 550 is close to senseless compared to the 545. There is no work speed advantage. Over here even many pros are using the 545 instead of the 550, because the price increase simply does not translate into more productivity!

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[svk]

Why the 550 over the 562? I notice your sig has both

If you are cutting wood up to 10" there is no need for the 562 and it's extra 2 lbs of weight and increased fuel consumption. The 550 is unmatched in small wood.

http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/recorded-some-cuts.294980/ This is a video I did this spring. In 12" wood the 550 is about a half second slower than the 562, which isn't going to be noticed when you are in the woods.

The 545 may be close to the 550 but it is not a 550 (no offense intended to a great saw in it's own right). I have had enough times in my life where I was forced to save money and get the bridesmaid model so that's why I went with the 550 and 562 when I was able to swing the extra coin. Very happy with both of them.

 

[MountainHigh]

the "Bridesmaid" model

Yep, I've seen some pretty nice looking bridesmaids as well as brides, so to each their own.

 

[CoreyB]

the "Bridesmaid" model

Yep, I've seen some pretty nice looking bridesmaids as well as brides, so to each heir own.

Bridesmaidsare a lot easier to get into bed then Brides

 

[Mike R]

I should also say that the deal I got on the 562xp was 20dollars cheaper then I could get the 550xp for. With say that do you guys think I should just keep the 562xp. Or will the 550xp been that much better for what I am doin?
Sorry for all the questions , just I know most guys on here have way more experience with saws then me so this is really helping, thanks a lot guys !!

 

[MountainHigh]

I should also say that the deal I got on the 562xp was 20dollars cheaper then I could get the 550xp for. With say that do you guys think I should just keep the 562xp. Or will the 550xp been that much better for what I am doin?
Sorry for all the questions , just I know most guys on here have way more experience with saws then me so this is really helping, thanks a lot guys !!

Seems pretty simple to me:

You've had some time on the 562 and have stated that it might be too much for what you need. If you still feel this way, then get the 550/545.

BUT if you want 2 saws and still like the 562 enough to want to keep it even for the occasional use when you want the extra grunt, then get the 550 as well (if money is no object).

BUT - if you want to keep the 562 and still have a great smalller main saw AND don't want to spend as much, get a good used 346xp or new Makita ea4300/Dolmar 421.

As long as the wood you are cutting is mostly under about 15", these 43cc Makita/Dolmars are the sweet spot for high quality, great performance and low price. The Makita ea4300 does most of what I need fabulously with less weight and better fuel consumption. Cuts way above its CC rating and is so easy to start it's ridiculous.

But anytime I am into 16"++wood, the 562 is the shiznit!

If I could only have one saw for my 10+ cords a year that I cut, it would now be the Makita ea4300 - the older I get the more I want to preserve my shoulder when starting a saw and the less I want to throw big rounds into my truck.

And yes, the 562 (appx 13 lbs) is noticeably heavier and less agile than a 550 or an EA4300/421 (10.8 lbs).

 

[svk]

No offense but the hype around the 421 is getting a little deep around the AS chainsaw forum. And in full disclosure I am a Dolmar owner and like their saws.

Personally if you want a mid level saw that is light and reasonable priced I would go with the 450 Husky with a 16" bar. Same weight as a 421 and .3hp more. $20-30 extra if you are comparing retail prices. But every AS member knows we can get saws for much less than retail from our fair sponsors of both brands.

To the OP, I would keep the 562 and get a smaller saw if you can afford it. But don't go with a cheapie small saw (ie Poulan 4218/5020) after running the 562, make sure you get a good one or you will be back to the 562 in short order

 

[LittleLebowski]

What are you basing that off of ?

Personal experience and I concur from my own personal experience.

 

[LittleLebowski]

No offense but the hype around the 421 is getting a little deep around the AS chainsaw forum. And in full disclosure I am a Dolmar owner and like their saws.

Personally if you want a mid level saw that is light and reasonable priced I would go with the 450 Husky with a 16" bar. Same weight as a 421 and .3hp more. $20-30 extra if you are comparing retail prices. But every AS member knows we can get saws for much less than retail from our fair sponsors of both brands.

To the OP, I would keep the 562 and get a smaller saw if you can afford it. But don't go with a cheapie small saw (ie Poulan 4218/5020) after running the 562, make sure you get a good one or you will be back to the 562 in short order

I think that the hype is nothing more than satisfied owners and it's well deserved. I considered the 450 but the 421 is pro grade, supported by a dealer on the forum, and really does cut above its displacement.

It's a little disheartening to see hard earned praise billed as hype. The 421 hits a sweet spot for price and quality, there is not a single dissatisfied owner on here.

 

[svk]

I think that the hype is nothing more than satisfied owners and it's well deserved. I considered the 450 but the 421 is pro grade, supported by a dealer on the forum, and really does cut above its displacement.

It's a little disheartening to see hard earned praise billed as hype. The 421 hits a sweet spot for price and quality, there is not a single dissatisfied owner on here.

I am glad you like the saw, and I have nothing bad to say about it. But I stand by my statement.

Hang out on this forum long enough and you will see the trend of bias from one model to the next that is recommended in droves to anyone who asks for a new saw regardless of what they are actually looking for. The 421 IS that saw right now.

 

[7sleeper]

No offense but the hype around the 421 is getting a little deep around the AS chainsaw forum. And in full disclosure I am a Dolmar owner and like their saws.

Personally if you want a mid level saw that is light and reasonable priced I would go with the 450 Husky with a 16" bar. Same weight as a 421 and .3hp more. $20-30 extra if you are comparing retail prices. But every AS member knows we can get saws for much less than retail from our fair sponsors of both brands.

To the OP, I would keep the 562 and get a smaller saw if you can afford it. But don't go with a cheapie small saw (ie Poulan 4218/5020) after running the 562, make sure you get a good one or you will be back to the 562 in short order

I am no fan of hype as well, although for me as a 420 (previous model to the 421 with 0.3hp less) owner, I understand the hype quite well. Of course it isn't the magic hokus pokus saw some people like to imply, but for the same money i would choose the by far better build quality any day of the week.
Further a test done a few years ago on stihl lab equipment with stihl, husqvarna 455, shindaiwa, efco, etc. And that test the dolmar 420 proved to be more fuel economical than husqvarna 455. So for me the mythical fuel savings from the more "modern" engine clearly isn't so simp!e as often proclaimed.

That is the way I see it.

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[7sleeper]

I am glad you like the saw, and I have nothing bad to say about it. But I stand by my statement.

Hang out on this forum long enough and you will see the trend of bias from one model to the next that is recommended in droves to anyone who asks for a new saw regardless of what they are actually looking for. The 421 IS that saw right now.

Well I see the 420/420sc=421 as a model that has been "the recomendation" since many many years on german speaking forums. Of course here street prices for the big two alternatives 241 & 543 are at least 1/3 to double in price higher.

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[svk]

Well I see the 420/420sc=421 as a model that has been "the recomendation" since many many years on german speaking forums. Of course here street prices for the big two alternatives 241 & 543 are at least 1/3 to double inprice higher.

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Like I said I am not trashing the model, but if I could buy a saw that is more powerful and weighs the same, I am going to do that.

Secondly, everyone talks about longevity of a pro saw as a huge selling point. Excluding the Poulan (and rebranded) box store stuff, It is very rare that any non pro will ever truely wear out a name brand saw. Especially the armchair quarterbacks, PSP's, BOB's, and CAD addicts on here LOL.

 

[7sleeper]

Like I said I am not trashing the model, but if I could buy a saw that is more powerful and weighs the same, I am going to do that.

Secondly, everyone talks about longevity of a pro saw as a huge selling point. Excluding the Poulan (and rebranded) box store stuff, It is very rare that any non pro will ever truely wear out a name brand saw. Especially the armchair quarterbacks, PSP's, BOB's, and CAD addicts on here LOL.

I see it similar, although I am MUCH too rational to not lose the REALISTIC needs out of my perspective. How many REALLY need the ultimo pro mega fantastic equal weight saw? How many will have cut a single twig more at the end of the day?
So for me as others have previously mentioned it is the whole package what counts. And if one looks across AS there are some pros who use them a lot and really praise the 421 although their arsenal includes clearly superior equipment.

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