?????where do you get your info i agree with you 2000 i know they are built in va beach as i have been there, no stihl ever has or ever will be made in china lets not turn this into a saw bashing thread they both make good saws i think he just wants opinions and reasons supporting those opinions???? what is going on here
Sure, first of all I'd like to say that I'm not a blind brand loyalist.
I have 5 chainsaws of which each are a different manufacturer. It just happened out that way. I bought each one for it's own purpose and each have been reliable to date.
Before I make an investment in something I need, I always try to research as best I can and try to make the best informed choice on what appeals to me.
I was looking for a chain saw in that same size range a while back and considered several makes and models, including these 2 that the OP is inquiring about.
I asked around for honest opinions from people who actually owned and ran the saws. And I also tried to find out from dealers for their honest opinion of the particular saw I was interested in.
I looked around for the different makes and models that I liked and then made the choice based on what I found out as to durability, dependability, ease of use, etc.
What was said in this thread about the EPA durability rating being only about emissions is misleading.
The numbers pertain to the minimum hour ability of a particular saw staying within the EPA emission specs. The EPA spec of 300 hours is the highest rating and the lowest is 50 hours.
In most instances, the higher end PRO saws of any brand name are given the 300 rating, whereas many of the lower-end saws are rated at 50.
I believe Stihl, Husky, Dolmar, and other brand PRO saws are all rated at 300.
BTW, I found it interesting that everything Echo makes is rated at 300.
The way I heard it explained was that the EPA rating goes hand in hand with build quality. As the saw wears out, the ability to stay within EPA emission guidelines also deteriorates.
I didn't decide on either of those two saws mentioned, although the Echo CS-400 was first runner up to the one I bought.
The Echo's are well made saws. They have a good reputation as to long term dependability and back that up with a good warranty.
I found out that they are all assembled in the US with engine blocks, etc., from Japan. Except for the new CS-310, which is made entirely in the US.
I found this out from a tech that works for ECHO Inc in Lake Zurich, Il.
Now, as for the Stihl MS250 being made in China.
I was told that it along with other low end Stihls are being made in a factory there.
One guy even sent me this link.
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/295705524/MS_250_STIHL_Chainsaw.html
If you have actually seen MS250 saws being made at the Virginia plant then that's great.
But from what I understand, Stihl is only manufacturing their high-end PRO saws here in the US.
As I said before, I'm not a brand loyalist. I don't have a dog in this hunt, as I don't own either of those saws.
And even though the Stihl 250 is made in China, I still feel it's a good saw. It just wasn't the best choice IMHO.