mrniceguy said:
fishhuntcutwood,
What exactly makes the ms361 more of a saw than the ms390? Please bare with me, I'm new at this. The ms390 has 5cc more displacement. They both run at about the same hp. Is the 361 really worth the $150 or more investment?
Thanks in advance! Joe.
Joe- Nothing to bare with amigo, this site is here for questions like this, and we've all had them, worry not, man.
There's a couple of things that make the 361 a better saw. Lets start with weight. Weight is your enemy, and the 361 weighs almost a pound less. You'll feel the difference at the end of the day. And the 361 puts out a tad more hp with less displacement, what does that tell you? It's a more efficient saw, and does a better job with less displacement. Burns less gas, and so on. Then there's construction. The 290/310/390 are built on a top half/bottom half case construction, while the 361 is built on the same LH/RH half construction that the other pro saws are built on. This is considered to be a superior design. The 361 has a decompression valve. Not as readily evident as on a 460 or 660, but you can tell the difference, and it's better for the saw, putting less stress on the starting assembly. The 361 also has a new anti-vibe system on it, and it's noticable, you'll feel that at the end of the day as well. There's other smaller, less noticeable features you'll find on a pro saw that you won't on a 390-things ranging from filtration to bearings to small stuff like extended chip deflectors. Plus, you can get a full wrap handlebar for the 361, and can't for the 390, and I'm all about the full wrap!
The 361 is a beefier, pro quality saw worth rebuilding when the time comes well down the road, while the $200 required to rebuild a 390 sooner than the 361 anyway would almost warrant buying a whole new saw. I think the 361 is entirely worth the extra $150. And I can put my money where my mouth is, as I owned a 310, sold it, and spent the extra $190 to get the 361. If you're a guy who's gonna cut occasionally and do a chord or two a year, the 290/310/390 will do you fine, but if you're beyond that, or want to buy a saw for life, and never look back with any doubts whatsoever, go with the 361.
Any other questions, ask away Joe. Around here, we love to hear ourselves talk! :angel: And your profile says you're into archery. Do you hunt, shoot competively or both? I'm a Hoyt guy myself who hunts primarily, and competes so I can shoot better when I'm hunting.
Take care all,
Jeff