Something that hasn't been brought up is your age, size, average tree size you'll be cutting, and how long you'll be cutting at one time. Younger & stronger, go with the 562xp w/20" bar for your 1-saw plan & keep one of your old saws to free up the occasional pinched bar. If I was 23 instead of 63, that's what I'd do. Good luck. Can't go wrong with either saw.
First I must say thanks to everyone for sharing your knowledge and the great advice.
I am 41 6'4" and around 210#
Tree size will vary, in the last year I haven't cut anything over 12" mostly because of availability. Most of my cutting is done after work I would say 3 hrs max.
I do go up in trees with them from time to time and like the lighter saws for that. I will be keeping my other saws so they can be used as needed. What I have been cutting in the last year is as follows: Red oak, ash, elm, mulberry, cherry, walnut and Osage orange.
I found a dealer in my area today that has the 550 and 562 in stock and he didn't try to sell me a $1000+ saw like the other dealers, his price on the 550 is aprox $85 more than what I have seen them for online and not far from what I can get the 560 for online, alt hoe I do feel better about getting it from a local dealer.
I am kind a leaning toward the 550 but I am going to take a look at the other saws brought up in my under $700 price range. I like the multi saw plan but my problem is how do I explain to my wife that the wood burner I put in is saving us all this $$$ when I am spending more than we will save on gas in 3 yrs on 2-3 saws?
Thank's once again for sharing your knowledge.
Dave