Thinking about retiring my worn out homelite top handle. I'm not a pro and the saw won't be used to make a living. I had been looking for a 200t or 201t used, but the used ones I've found are pretty rough for what I'd like to spend.
Would you either:
1- buy a 338xpt from a friend. It is a 2003 or 2004 model with the original 14" or 16" bar (my buddy does not remember). I've seen the saw but not run it in years. It has very little use. He wants $225.
2- buy a new Stihl 192t for $300. I do have a new 12" bar and 3 new chains laying around.
Again, this saw wouldn't be used much since I have a pole saw and good ground saws, but I want one in the arsenal . I'd love a new 201t but I won't pay $640 for one. I'd like to pay about half that.
Big difference between the saws. I own a 338XPT NE and have used a 192T many times. Make sure the 338XPT from your friend is a New edition. Much nicer to use regularly with the side chain tensioner than the older 338XPT. The 338XPT will handle larger limbs, while the 192T is more of a trimming saw in my opinion. I am talking from the point of view of cutting Aussie hardwood though, if you cut mainly softwood maybe the smaller cc 192T would do ok? 192T runs fine stock, but is a weaker saw compared to 338XPT. Really depends on what you expect to be cutting with it. I would only climb with a 192T if i knew 100% i would not need to make more than a few cuts over 5-6" diameter. Any bigger and i would be losing time not having a more gutsy saw in my hands. There is a difference in weight between these 2 saws but not a huge margin when you factor in the power difference. I have had my 338XPT NE since 2011 when it replaced my old 2001 334T as my main climb saw, and it has worked hard in that time and nothing has broke at all.
OP, will you be climbing with it? When i go up a tree i want a saw that will handle with ease all i need it to do. 338XPT for me all the time over a 192T or similar power saw. I do own a T540xp as well and the 338XPT holds up well against it. My 338XPT does have a muff mod and cuts really strong but not as strong as the T540.
Honestly if raw cutting speed and power is not a priority for this saw, get a 192T new from a dealer. The peace of mind of a warranty in my opinion is worth the little extra $ over a 10 year old 338XPT.
338's are a clamshell not exactly what I consider pro design. Not exactly a power house either.
A clamshell is not what anybody would consider a Pro design. However they are well built and with an opened up muffler and tuned right they are a very powerful saw and will out cut a 192T like it just aint funny.