Echo CS400 vs CS490

[Wow]

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)?

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.
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.

 

[James Miller]

A muffler modded 490 is still quieter then a stock 590. And takes less then 10 minutes including taking the muff off and putting it back on. Don't know why you wouldn't do it.

 

[Deleted member 149229]

And IMHO, my 490 was a pig stock, I almost got rid of it, after mm and retune it woke up, after converting to 3/8 lp it be came an entirely different saw. My buddy hated his 490 until we did mm and retune plus the 490 is the easiest muffler to mod.

 

[James Miller]

Not to mention the 490s seem to take about 1000 tanks to loosen up.

 

[Wow]

Not to mention the 490s seem to take about 1000 tanks to loosen up.

The first thing is not everyone can properly tune a saw. I'm always cautious when dealing with new guys.
Secondly, there are warranty issues.
My thinking is let the guy buy a new 490 use it until it's broken in then by then he should know more about what to expect out of his saw. Many times I've given advice about something that's easy for me to do not realizing that someone else may not get good results because they have not developed those skills yet. Think about flying an airplane. I could tell someone how to fly a Cessna 182 and how to cross Rudder Alieron control for cross wind landings but then the first time they try it's highly likely they will crash. When someone obtains a saw I error on the safe side with my advice. Since I have an abundance of saws I just don't expect more out of a saw than what mine puts out. Now the old Sthils actually were struggling and the mod and tune up were needed and easy. However I remeber hearing that the cs 400 at one time had some issues with siezures and probably a few other saws too if not tuned well. The possibility of running a saw t lean is more of a problem in my opinion than running one a tad rich or cutting a bit slower. Therefore my advice to someone just starting out with just one saw would be, slow down, take it easy, enjoy your saw and later decide what you want to do. If my cs490 seems to be slow or the wood gets bigger I'll use the Sthil 029 or the cs590. However sometimes I'd rather use the 490 than break out a faster saw because before I start to cut I determine what saw I'll need. A few times a tree seems a tad to big for the 490 when I get there. Most times it will do the job or if I just want to speed things up I'll get a bigger saw. A while back I had a huge Sweetgum. Dropped it with the cs590 and a 28 inch bar. Used the 590 to flush cut the stump, Bucked up some of it then switched to the 24 inch bar on the Sthil 029 because it's lighter. For me it's all about the demand but my guess is the Average One Saw owner could get by with a cs490 for most wood around these parts and enjoy the saw. Mine stock has lots of power and cuts as well as the Sthil 026 if not a tad faster. My guess is the guy will love a stock cs490 much better than a stock cs400 and probably be happy. However by no means am I the authority just giving my opinion. In the end, people make their choices. Sometimes regretable and sometimes delightful. Have a blessed day

 

[GeorgiaVol]

Now I'm wanting a 490. I have the 400 and 590, but I use small to medium sized saws the most. 45-50cc saws seem to be my sweet spot for what I grab first. I'll add the 490 to my Christmas list.

 

[Wow]

Now I'm wanting a 490. I have the 400 and 590, but I use small to medium sized saws the most. 45-50cc saws seem to be my sweet spot for what I grab first. I'll add the 490 to my Christmas list.

You may save money if you talk to a dealer, maybe several and ask about Echos 1 time a year 20% off Sale. My dealer cut me a super good deal on mine. I'd never buy from flea bay or a box store. Dealers more often will deal better. My dealer is Tubb's Hardware in Bossier. They always treated me well. Some dealers will sell a case half price when you agree to buy a saw. You have to ask, smile, and appear to be trying to decide. Well I'm having trouble making up my mind what do you think, is a good question to ask the Manager. Often they'll toss in something to sweeten the deal. Good luck.

 

[GeorgiaVol]

Yeah, I have a great local dealer and the Echo sale days are at the end of February

 

[GeorgiaVol]

That's where I got my 590. $348 out the door if I remember correctly

 

[cuinrearview]

Why do none of these echo threads mention a 501? I know it's more expensive, but is it that bad of a saw?

 

[Deleted member 149229]

Why do none of these echo threads mention a 501? I know it's more expensive, but is it that bad of a saw?

Might be another thread but I think @Cliff R mention it. Most dealers around here really don’t carry it, can’t compete with the 490 price tag.

 

[cuinrearview]

Might be another thread but I think @Cliff R mention it. Most dealers around here really don’t carry it, can’t compete with the 490 price tag.

None on the shelf at any of my locals. I'm curious about what Echo's 50cc alpha is like.

 

[Deleted member 149229]

None on the shelf at any of my locals. I'm curious about what Echo's 50cc alpha is like.

Is that the one that Home Depot has now that’s $580 plus tax?

 

[cuinrearview]

Is that the one that Home Depot has now that’s $580 plus tax?

I haven't seen one personally around here, but yes. It's supposed to be the lightest 50cc with power numbers right in line with the other guys.

 

[Deleted member 149229]

Seems like a lot of money for a 50 cc Echo and I like Echo. Just my opinion.

 

[cuinrearview]

Seems like a lot of money for a 50 cc Echo and I like Echo. Just my opinion.

Yah. Pretty much the same as the 550 or 261. Theres a guy local with one for much less. I want to buy it but I'm skeptical.

 

[Wow]

Why do none of these echo threads mention a 501? I know it's more expensive, but is it that bad of a saw?

Not sure if its the exact thing but the sales person that sold me the cs490 did mention that saw I believe he said 501. He said the 490 is almost the same saw and STRESSED the 490 is a lower priced saw BUT has the same power and is built very well and is a professional saw.
The 490 that I bought has a Rim drive, no Primer Bulb and swings a 20 inch bar with class. My dealer said the cs490 is the lightest 50cc saw on the market. He may be correct. If the saw they show you don't have a 20 inch bar I'd ask the dealer for the 20 inch bar and chain with the saw and then if you want a 18/ or /16 inch bar buy one and have two sets of bars. That's my opinion for what it's worth.

 

[cuinrearview]

Not sure if its the exact thing but the sales person that sold me the cs490 did mention that saw I believe he said 501. He said the 490 is almost the same saw and STRESSED the 490 is a lower priced saw BUT has the same power and is built very well and is a professional saw.
The 490 that I bought has a Rim drive, no Primer Bulb and swings a 20 inch bar with class. My dealer said the cs490 is the lightest 50cc saw on the market. He may be correct. If the saw they show you don't have a 20 inch bar I'd ask the dealer for the 20 inch bar and chain with the saw and then if you want a 18/ or /16 inch bar buy one and have two sets of bars. That's my opinion for what it's worth.

Has he ran a 501?

 

[James Miller]

I can get into a 501 for $450 brand new at my dealer. Often thought about selling the 490 and picking one up but echo don't go for way over what there worth used like stihls and Huskies. Also the 490 has never given me any problems and is my go to saw.

 

[James Miller]

@Red97 what's the differences between the 490 and 501? If anyone knows it would be you.