660 or 661

[robbiet87]

Hi all,
I will be buying a new saw in 2 weeks. It's a toss up between the 660 or 661, and I'm looking for some input from people who own or have ran either one. From videos I have seen the 661 looks like it has the edge power wise. My main concern with the 661 is the electronic stuff. Any input would help. I plan on keeping the saw stock so all mods are out!!!

 

[catbuster]

I wasn't a huge fan of the 660. Sure, it was solid, dependable and made decent power. It handled really well for a big saw. But, I hated the anti-vibration and I thought it was heavy for the power it made.

Stihl got the 661 right. It beats the 66 in the power department, it weighs close to the same, and the vibrations won't kill you at the end of the day. M-Tronic has been around a while, and works really well in just about every standard application for saw use.

It's a no-brainer in my mind, the 661 is the choice.

 

[redfin]

My stock 661 with just a muffler mod would probably keep up with my ported 660. AV is beautiful on this one.

 

[CapitaineHaddoc]

The only advantage of the 660 is the parts availability (lots of used parts or AM parts everywhere).

Otherwise, everything speak for the 661.

Another great choice is a ported 390, you can probably buy one for less than a 661.

 

[SAWMIKAZE]

My stock 661 with just a muffler mod would probably keep up with my ported 660. AV is beautiful on this one.

I said that as soon as i ran one last year that the muffler was open on and the the AS luftwaffe told me i was crazy..i dunno...a 661 is clearly a nicer saw to run..id pick it over a 660...but i dont cut timber in the PNW , those guys see it a little different.

 

[porsche965]

I've owned both, 661 is better operating all the way around. Especially if you are keeping it stock.

Bought another 661R.

 

[robbiet87]

I priced both a 660 which would run 1240.88 out the door with a 36 in bar. The 661 would run 1378.50 with a 36 in bar, a case, and extra chain of choice. Although im sure it wouldn't fit in the case I could keep it for another saw. I haven't been able to find a full wrap version around here, but I'm sure it would run more!!!

 

[Full Chisel]

The xx1 series Stihls are pretty much an improvement across the board. I was not impressed by the 660, and have not gotten a chance to run a 661. But from what I have heard they are great saws.

 

[stihlaficionado]

I priced both a 660 which would run 1240.88 out the door with a 36 in bar. The 661 would run 1378.50 with a 36 in bar, a case, and extra chain of choice. Although im sure it wouldn't fit in the case I could keep it for another saw. I haven't been able to find a full wrap version around here, but I'm sure it would run more!!!

They may give you some kind of discount with cash. I buy my Stihls in Lexington, Il & cash sales earn a 7-8% discount

 

[robbiet87]

I'll keep that in mind, would be nice to save a few dollars for more oil/gas!!! Does anyone know if they make cases big enough to house the 660/661? As of a year ago I don't believe they have.

 

[redfin]

I said that as soon as i ran one last year that the muffler was open on and the the AS luftwaffe told me i was crazy..i dunno...a 661 is clearly a nicer saw to run..id pick it over a 660...but i dont cut timber in the PNW , those guys see it a little different.

I see it for what I cut. I had a 660 done by Randy, it was all I'd needed. I had a fella on here ask me to buy it. I called Randy and asked his thoughts on a 661 compared to my 660. He said it would be just about the same. He didn't lie and hopefully in the near future I will have him cut the jug and I will port my 661. I was really disappointed with my stock 660, 661 not at all.

 

[bnmc98]

FWIW. My 661 is a cold blooded bugger when cold. It does some weird stuff, and I was skeptical of the m tronic after selling a 441 I had cause I didn't like it. But, I am much less of a perfectionist now. You learn to run what you got and make it work. If you are the especially technical and picky perfectionist type... you might hate the m tronic. But technology is here to stay so I sucked it up and dealt with it. Just ignore the quirks and you'll be fine. I like mine, but have never seen the full potential cause I cut between 7000 and 8000 ft of altitude.

 

[Full Chisel]

I would think there is a flash update from Still to fix the elevation issue. I know the Mtronic saws got a bad rep from the wildfire guys because they didn't perform well under low oxygen conditions at elevation.

 

[Trx250r180]

I said that as soon as i ran one last year that the muffler was open on and the the AS luftwaffe told me i was crazy..i dunno...a 661 is clearly a nicer saw to run..id pick it over a 660...but i dont cut timber in the PNW , those guys see it a little different.

M-tronic saws are not liked by most of the cutters i talk to ,but most of them have not ran a 461 after it was out for 2 years also ,i think they are more set in their ways and do not like change .

 

[altair]

661 all the way. Beautifully smooth, with heaps of grunt, and damned economical compared to the 660. I was in your position recently, and am very happy I chose the 661.
Also has easy access air filter for ease of cleaning etc. Enjoy your cutting!

 

[bnmc98]

I would think there is a flash update from Still to fix the elevation issue. I know the Mtronic saws got a bad rep from the wildfire guys because they didn't perform well under low oxygen conditions at elevation.

Interesting. What do they "flash" in the saw?

The main issue I was talking about was the less air density at my elevation = less power

 

[Adirondackstihl]

661......no doubt

I know where you can get one much cheaper than any price I've seen listed above

 

[Big_Wood]

i ran a 661 for 2 solid days falling a few weeks ago. i don't like the blocky feel of it but then that's why i didn't like the 660 either but seems the 661 is worse. i might recommend a 390 husky

 

[Ozarker 1]

Interesting. What do they "flash" in the saw?

New programming that is "burned" into the chip. It's similar to the bios of a computer's mother-board, or not unlike how a flash-drive works.

 

[robbiet87]

Sounds like the 661 is my best bet then. Does anyone know if they make a case big enough to fit it yet, or can i modify the regular woodsman by trimming some from inside?