Stihl MS 241-CM versus an Echo CS-361P

[Sid Post]

Stihl MS 241-CM; 42.6cc engine and 9.9lbs
Echo CS-361P 36.8cc engine and 8.3lbs

I am pretty convinced that the MS 241-CM is a great option for me but, I keep seeing these Echo CS-361P's which are lighter weight by a good margin and whole lot less expensive.

This saw will be a compliment to my MS 362-CM so, a minor loss in power and torque is not a huge concern as long as it will limb and cut reasonable sized firewood.

How do these two saws compare to each other? Who owns and uses an Echo CS-361P? Is it a good durable, reliable saw? Is the extra ~$200 for the Stihl money well spent, and if so why?

TIA,
Sid

 

[KiwiBro]

With having the 362 and your intended use, I'd be looking hard at the Echo. That said, I think the 241 could be the best small saw I will ever own.
If you want to widen your brand choice, a Dolmar 421 might be worth a look too. Not sure how the pricing compares.

 

[Cope1024]

After getting my MS362C, I was going to sell my Stihl 025 and buy the MS241C. Several people here talked me out of it. I personally would get the 241C.

 

[lone wolf]

With having the 362 and your intended use, I'd be looking hard at the Echo. That said, I think the 241 could be the best small saw I will ever own.
If you want to widen your brand choice, a Dolmar 421 might be worth a look too. Not sure how the pricing compares.

241c best saw ever !

 

[svk]

8.3 lbs is a freaking featherweight for a rear handle. Is there an estimated HP on this saw?

 

[blsnelling]

I love my ported 241C.

 

[GrassGuerilla]

I'm a big fan of Echo products. Love the simple, reliable, inexpensive nature of the beast. Very easy to work on and usually inexpensive to repair. That said, the 361p isn't even in the same league as a ms241c. It comes closer to a ms192 r.

 

[7sleeper]

I find the comparrison equaly strange, the dolmar 421 or echo 400 would fit much better.

7

 

[drf255]

An echo 490 is around the weight of the 241 and should blow it away. I have a ported one and it's one helluva saw.

 

[SAWMIKAZE]

241c best saw ever !

It's definately up there...helluva tool.

 

[SAWMIKAZE]

Stihl MS 241-CM; 42.6cc engine and 9.9lbs
Echo CS-361P 36.8cc engine and 8.3lbs

I am pretty convinced that the MS 241-CM is a great option for me but, I keep seeing these Echo CS-361P's which are lighter weight by a good margin and whole lot less expensive.

This saw will be a compliment to my MS 362-CM so, a minor loss in power and torque is not a huge concern as long as it will limb and cut reasonable sized firewood.

How do these two saws compare to each other? Who owns and uses an Echo CS-361P? Is it a good durable, reliable saw? Is the extra ~$200 for the Stihl money well spent, and if so why?

TIA,
Sid

I paid 459.00 for my last 241 , ive bitched a time or 2 about how expensive a 241 is but i have now already forgotten the price..it was money well spent.

Only you can decide if its worth it to you.

 

[lone wolf]

I paid 459.00 for my last 241 , ive bitched a time or 2 about how expensive a 241 is but i have now already forgotten the price..it was money well spent.

Only you can decide if its worth it to you.

If you have a back problem this is the way to go. Nice and light.

 

[Ryan'smilling]

I think the 241CM is up to $569 at my local dealership. I paid $309 for a Dolmar 421 out the door.

Yeah, I'd rather have the Stihl, but at almost 2X the price, I can't justify it.

I'm loving the Dolmar, by the way.

 

[blsnelling]

I get them for $520 + tax.

 

[lone wolf]

I get them for $520 + tax.

Not too bad .

 

[noshow74]

If you're going to spend $500 plus just get a 550xp. It will smoke any stock 40cc with about the same weight as the heavier ones.

If you want to spend less and don't mind a heavier 40cc go with Dolmar 421.

Less weight and low cost...Echo 400.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[CR888]

Sometimes in small 40cc territory sized wood, the fuel efficiency of a 241cm will get a lot more work done than a 550xp. I have a 550 & its an awesome 50cc class saw, but when delimbing small branches the 241cm wins hands down over it. Saying the 550 weighs about the same as a 241 therefore with the added power its a better choice is a simplistic answer IME. Both saws are class leaders but are best suited to different tasks.

 

[LoveStihlQuality]

I love my ported 241C.

Did you or any 241 owners change out bar and chain from stock?

LoveStihlQuality

 

[GrassGuerilla]

Sometimes in small 40cc territory sized wood, the fuel efficiency of a 241cm will get a lot more work done than a 550xp. I have a 550 & its an awesome 50cc class saw, but when delimbing small branches the 241cm wins hands down over it. Saying the 550 weighs about the same as a 241 therefore with the added power its a better choice is a simplistic answer IME. Both saws are class leaders but are best suited to different tasks.

with this one post you've nearly unraveled the entire basis of Arboristsite. Whatever would we post endlessly about if not power to weight? Fuel efficiency? Pffft! That should pretty much nullify all discussion of ported saws.

 

[lone wolf]

with this one post you've nearly unraveled the entire basis of Arboristsite. Whatever would we post endlessly about if not power to weight? Fuel efficiency? Pffft! That should pretty much nullify all discussion of ported saws.

Buy a 241 see! Thank me later. and I like it better than the Husky 346 it is even more agile, I suppose due to the thinner chain. And I really like the way the fuel stretches out because sometimes I am low on gas and this saw gets the job done without going to buy more.