Not quoting it for space reasons, but post #180 by Mike is really first class and right on target.
One thing I'll say is that nobody I know who has spent any time with a 372XT or 2172 misses the old one. Informal "polling" I've done suggests that 2/3 of the guys feel it has a little more power than the original, and the rest think it is about the same as the original. No one feels it has lost anything. Everyone loves that it has lost it's thirst for fuel. Had a guy in today, and he is one of those that feels the power is about the same. But he says the big advantage in his eyes is how much more wood he can cut on a tank of fuel.
Ruggedness of today's saws vs the roll around in the back of the truck toughness of older models? Can't really have that without a weight penalty, can we? And we know how much we all love weight around here don't we?
It's neither fair nor accurate to suggest that todays saws have been ruined by the EPA. Some early attempts, such as the 575's and to a lesser degree the 441, are disappointing. But that emerging technology is getting better, and so are the saws. The unfortunate problem is that Husky and Stihl are the only two companies that really have the resources to keep up with the regs. It's really hard for the smaller companies to to the necessary R&D to meet the regs and stay in the game. Some are embracing cat mufflers, which is already an outdated and not so good solution.
Anyway, I ran the 555 a little more today. Made about 20 cuts in some 12"-14" red oak. Like the 576, the saw is as smooth as butter. My next step this weekend is to actually run it along side some known quantities and try and get a feel to where it fits. I like the power, and this is just the junior version of this chassis.
Wish I had a scale, but further comparisons with fully loaded 357/359's in the shop leave no doubt that the 555 is noticeably lighter. Not to the degree that my first 560 was with the .325 laminated bar, but there is a clear weight advantage. But to say it feels like a 346 is simply not accurate, especially with a real 3/8 bar on the thing.
555 vs 562? In this group, most will want the 560/562. As enthusiasts, none of us want to leave that extra performance on the table. In the outside world the 555 would make more sense for most folks. But the 555 faces several sales hurdles from both above and below. Even locally, I have a list of guys waiting for the 562. From below, there are a lot of less expensive alternatives that the average firewood cutter can choose from to serve his needs. One direct comparison I will do is with the 460 Rancher, as they are the same displacement. My impression so far is that the 555 will toast the 460. But either will put wood in the truck. Like the 359, the 555's key selling point may simply be that it's "not plastic".
Pricing? Not cool for me to post actual pricing here, but I can post the differences. A 555 is a $125 jump from a 460, and a $40 to $50 jump from a 359. Certainly a worthwhile step from the 359, but maybe too big a jump for the Rancher crowd. The 562 will be at least $100 more; maybe $125. That will put it at least $50 north of the 365XT, and within "thinking distance" of the 372XT. See where this is going? The 562 really has to hit the center of the bullseye in all categories. The 357 never really did IMO, and was never a big seller for me. The 560 prototype I had last year nailed them all, and I expect that the production 560/562 will do the same. But in my market the 372 is practically worshiped, so the toughest thing the 560/562 will have to do is find it's niche.
Well it's getting late, and although I'd love to stay up and read the latest BloodOnTheIce and Woodchucker81 show, I gotta hit the sack.:cool2: