Echo CS-490 or CS-4910 or ?

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I’m looking to get a little brother for my CS-620 and I’m thinking about the CS-490. I was at the dealer looking at it and noticed the nearly identical CS-4910. Guy there didn’t know anything about them, so I thought I’d ask the pros for opinions on those two saws, or recommendations on a different Echo saw in that class.


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I would guess the 4910 is their "Pro Series" or heavy duty model compared to the 490. Go here and compare.

https://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Chainsaws/CS-4910

I compared them on their website, but that didn’t tell me a lot. I see the 4910 has a decompression valve, which the 490 doesn’t. I think the 4910 is just the newer version of the 490, but they’re both current models, at least right now. Sometimes the newer versions aren’t always as good as the previous models.
I did see an article online saying the 4910 has 22% more power than the 490, which is considerable, if it’s true.


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Yep, the 4910 is basically a 501 with a plastic handle and no captive bar nuts. I think the coil is different, so maybe it won't free rev quite as high, but engine is identical otherwise. You can get the 501 for only about $20 more than the 4910 during the 15% off one day sale. The sale is only good on "X" series stuff this year, so the 4910 won't be discounted.
 
Yep, the 4910 is basically a 501 with a plastic handle and no captive bar nuts. I think the coil is different, so maybe it won't free rev quite as high, but engine is identical otherwise. You can get the 501 for only about $20 more than the 4910 during the 15% off one day sale. The sale is only good on "X" series stuff this year, so the 4910 won't be discounted.
What's this sale you talk of?
 
Yep, the 4910 is basically a 501 with a plastic handle and no captive bar nuts. I think the coil is different, so maybe it won't free rev quite as high, but engine is identical otherwise. You can get the 501 for only about $20 more than the 4910 during the 15% off one day sale. The sale is only good on "X" series stuff this year, so the 4910 won't be discounted.

My dealer says the 15% Sale is on all Echo chainsaws, so I plan to get a 4910 for $306 on the 24th.


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That's amazing! What all is involved in "porting", and how much does it cost? I assume you're impressed with the 4910, at least after porting...
Machine work, change the port time/shape. Muffler mod.
 

The cs-490 is a discontinued product now - I could only find it new and available with a 16” bar for $379 at acme. ( I leave the used saw market for those who can diagnose problems quickly). That is the same price as cs-4910 with 16” bar. The price of the cs-501p is currently $500-520. Does the 501 really have over $100 in upgrades re 4910? It seems only the X series (501) is eligible for the Dealer Days 15% discount ( wherever that may exist at your local echo dealer) so the cost difference can be $379 (4910) vs $425 ( 501). Worth waiting?
 
The cs-490 is a discontinued product now - I could only find new and available with a 16” bar for $379 at acme. That is the same price as cs-4910 with 16” bar. The price of the cs-501p is currently $500-520. Does the 501 really have over $100 in upgrades re 4910?
Plastic top handle vs aluminum on the 501
Captive bar nuts on the 501.

501 has the same cylinder and porting arrangement as the 4910, where the 490 was different
 
Was the 490 different in a good way? I’m on the fence whether a new 490 is better than a new 4910. I have read that a new 490 takes awhile to break-in/ can be moody re starting. I haven’t heard much about any 4910 issues, or if it is even a popular model.
 
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