Why is the MS210 such a poor performer?

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Here's what I don't get:

MS180 has 31.8cc engine, 2.0 horsepower, is 8.8 lbs and is $200.

MS210 has 35.2cc engine, also 2.0 hp, but a pound heavier (9.7) and $70 more. What are you getting for your seventy bucks? 2" longer bar?

Step up to the MS230, 40.2cc/2.5hp/10.1 lbs (not sure on the price)
Or the MS250, 45.4cc/3.0hp/10.1 lbs for only $50 more than the MS210.

Maybe that's why Stihl is coming out the MS211: same displacement as the MS210, 2.3 hp, and 9.5 lbs...?

In terms of $/hp:
MS180:99.5
MS210:117.0
MS250:110.0

Or hp/lb:
MS180:0.227
MS210:0.206
MS211:0.242
MS230:0.247
MS250:0.297

Or hp/cubic inch:
MS180:1.03
MS210:0.93
MS211:1.07
MS230:1.02
MS250:1.08

The hp figure for the 210 just seems low. Is it underrated?
 
There is always more to the story that just peak HP. Also, different saws sell to different people for different reasons. 230 is the dog around here because it is too close in price to the 250, but lacks .5HP on the tag. The folks that want a larger saw than the 180, but won't spring for the 250, buy a 210. 230s, in my area, sit on the shelf.

It's really hard to understand unless you have worked selling saws, and even then, you can't figure people out!! I have tree services that buy 250s and 310s because they are cheap or hire idiots that trash their equipment, so why buy good?? I have home owners that want to spend the money it takes to buy a 170, but they have a 36" oak to cut up that blew down.

I don't even put price tags on my 200Ts or 660s any more because I'm tired of answering questions from the folks that don't have a need for those saws as to why they cost what they do!

I like the 180s, 250s 270s 260s 361s 440s:cry: 460s and 660 but the #1 is the 290 and a lot of those customers come back and buy a 170.

For a lot of customers, the 210 is a buy because they save $70 compared to a 250 and still have a 16" bar.
 
Truth is, $270 for the MS210 seemed like a lot at the time. If the Stihl shop had suggested a $320 MS250, I probably would have cheaped out and bought a Poulan.

I think the MS211 will be a lot better than the 210, numbers-wise at least.
 
GASoline71 said:
Specs on paper don't mean squat...

Gary
Click to expand...

I'm a newbie, so please elaborate. Do you mean the specs are often wrong, or that the "power vs. rpm" curve of the saw is more important than just its peak power figure?

I've only run the 210... Surely the MS210 is stronger than an MS180 - it comes with a longer bar, heavier chain after all...
 
We don't even carry the MS210 or MS230 since they are within 50$ of the MS250 most people will pay the 50$ for an extra half hp.
The last 230 we had was back in early 2007 and it sat on the shelf forever and sold it for almost cost.
The MS250 is our best seller because a lot of customers are first time saw owners or making the jump from box store junk to a "real" saw for the first time.
 
stihl only said:
There is always more to the story that just peak HP. .......
Click to expand...

Exactly, that is why Huskys usually beats the Stihls, even when the numbers tell you otherwise. The only exception in the Stihl line-up is the MS361, that is more or less ported like a Husky xp.......:biggrinbounce2:
 
brages said:
I'm a newbie, so please elaborate. Do you mean the specs are often wrong, or that the "power vs. rpm" curve of the saw is more important than just its peak power figure?

I've only run the 210... Surely the MS210 is stronger than an MS180 - it comes with a longer bar, heavier chain after all...
Click to expand...

It's not that they are wrong... but real world comparisons are much more better... user experience, chain type, Cuttin' conditions, type of wood, age of wood... heck even the outside air temp and altitude play a part in a saws performance.

On paper things always look hunky dory... you can beat the weight vs. power stuff on paper to death... but once the saw is in the cut is the real test.

Gary
 
We only carry a couple 170's mainly because Stihl has been advertising the 179$ price point.
The MS180 and MS250 are the only two low end saws we stock in great numbers.
They should drop the 230 all together, and hopefully the 211 will a better value than the 210.
Here's the specs for the 211 off of the German Stihl site so I'm not 100% sure what everything is.
M-MS211-PMC3-S001_p1.jpg

ubraum 35,2 cm³
Leistung 1,7/2,3 kW/PS
Gewicht 1) 4,3 kg
Leistungsgewicht 2,5 kg/kW
Oilomatic Sägekette Teilung/Type
3/8" P Picco Micro Comfort 3
Schalldruckpegel 2) 99,0 dB(A)
Schallleistungspegel 2) 110,0 dB(A)
Vibrationspegel links/rechts 3,5/3,2 m/s²
 
mountainlake said:
Your going to hurt Trolls feelings. Steve
Click to expand...

No mention of me, as far as I know.......

The only saws I have run in that series is 3x250C - and I sure didn't like them, for several reasons (do a search - LOL).....:sucks:


Anyway, I suspect the new 211 is a better option than the 210 - at least it is lighter for the little power they have. :sucks:
 
brages said:
Here's what I don't get:

MS180 has 31.8cc engine, 2.0 horsepower, is 8.8 lbs and is $200.

MS210 has 35.2cc engine, also 2.0 hp, but a pound heavier (9.7) and $70 more. What are you getting for your seventy bucks? 2" longer bar?
Click to expand...

No one answered your question. The difference between the two is that the MS210 has more low end torque. However why buy a small saw if you need low end torque?

I've had both at one time and decided to get rid of the MS210 and keep the MS180. The 180 is really a pretty good little saw. I thought the 210 was somewhat of a pig.

There's no way I'd pay extra for a MS210 over the MS180 because the MS180 is a better saw IMHO!!!

You should also consider the Dolmar PS-401 for a small saw. It outproduces both the 180 and 210 and is only 8.8 lbs and built like a professional saw. Hurry because they are being discontinued.
 
Last edited:
I had an 011 and scorched cylinder cutting down tree that blew down in my yard on a saturday. Ran to Stihl dealer and told him I wanted new saw that took 16" 3/8 picco chain cause I had a bunch. He sold me 021 and Ive been happy with it so far. Its no Pro saw but I think its a good homeowners saw. Neighbor has 023 and I can keep up with him in normal sized cutting. :)
 

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