Ok, the cases allow me to STACK my saws one atop another neatly in the Lock up shed. Also, saws stored in a case seem to last longer, look better longer and no way would I toss a saw in the bed of a truck without a hard case.Thanks for the replies everyone. I am going to get it tomorrow. I am excited.
A few things I am confused on:
1) Dahmer, as to your first reply with the deer rifle reference...are you saying yes get a case or no, because it should be out and being used?
2) I understand from many sites that the Echos should be "muff modded" and re-tuned, or even ported. I don't know what these things even mean?
3) What do the spikes do on the saw?
4) Is there a chainsawing 101 I should check out for basics (not how to use - I got that, but for the questions above)?
Now on to MUFFLER mods, porting and other DIY modifications. Do you really want to VOID your 5 year warranty?
I have bought 4 Echo saws since 2015 and have Muffler Modded only 1. Then I was unhappy with it and sold the saw at a loss.
At the moment I'm using a cs352, cs490, cs590 ALL stock and they make me very happy. Still have a warranty. I have 3 Sthils, 024, 026, 029. YES, all of those saws NEEDED a MM. IF you get a Stock cs490 you will love it just like it comes out of the box UNLESS you are like I was about 45 years ago when almost everything was an experiement and I just HAD to see if I could squeeze one more drop of juice out of the apple. Please, DON'T change anything. Get a 20 inch bar and hand file your chain until you get the hang of it. Yesterday I never cranked the cs590 all day and cut 4 or 5 trees with ease. One was just a bit wider than my bar. I enjoy my cs490 and IF I owned only 1 saw I'd choose it. ALSO, VERY IMPORTANT,,,,if you own only 1 saw by all means own 2 bars and 2 chains. If you bind your saw, (and you will), kill the motor, remove side plate, free engine. Install spare bar and chain on engine and carefully finish cutting the tree (use felling wedges to avoid binding) and retrieve the other chain and Bar. Having a case makes it EASY to carry a second bar and chain also. Good luck.