If money is an issue and a ms360 is in the performance ball park, go find a Husqvarna 455 or even Husqvarna 460. Clean used or on sale new. You will have the reliability a back up saw has to have and at least with a 460 enough performance to get a decent sized job done. That series is both the most under rated and most reliable saw on the market. Don't even waste another second looking at Aftermarket. For what vib's your sending all they will do is frustrate you.
Those blue saws are best as a "saw adventure" where you are looking for a platform to work from to learn both how to work on saws or you want to explore modifying saws and don't want to drop the kind of "coin" that would require on new saws. The G372 needed some tweaks but ran out of the box, the 660 was closer to the mark but still will need a a few things before ready for a saw someone has to depend on. And the 660 has more development time than any of the other options therefore set a standard on what to expect. Mine is pretty good, but still is going to get an OEM set of controls and bar oil pump. My G372 is getting an intake boot, Both are getting all OEM fuel and pulse lines. Especially on back up saws where they are expected to sit...then perform in a pinch as the primary saw has issues, things like rubber that gets attacked by fuel therefore insidiously degrades as a saw stays idle are the difference between a successful backup insurance policy or a waste of money. Those two Husqvarna's will sit for a year and still start third pull. Every time. My back up saw is a 562...and its a two pull starting saw and has been for a couple of years. Before that a 555, before that a 455.
A person would be better off taking and developing one of those blue saws into a primary saw with a solid OEM saw for a backup, then know real time where the "development" saw is relative to readiness...
Counter intuitive? The LAST thing a pro needs is an unpredictable back up saw. One last point, is doing that if a person has the skills; can be rewarding AND take time wear and tear off an expensive Pro Level saw. A three Saw strategy, Hobby/Primary being 'Blue", Main Pro saw NOT getting wore out and back up saw that sits and will run when needed. A good plan and for a person with the right skills and attitude a lot of fun. For most "pro's", that makes NO sense, just get the best tool and get to work as down time equals opportunity lost....Advice from an old man...
(BTW, For me there is BIG Time Fun in the "under dog" status with the Big Blue 660, but I'm a bit twisted on these things, and have a pile of saws to pick from...but have really been having fun with the "Blue Devil" saw...
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