Help me get my father in law his dream saw.

[Hugenpoet]

I'm both 62 and the owner of both saws being considered-and both are great saws. Don't have any health issues and run the 372XP all the time without noticing the weight. Without knocking the MS361, if I could only have one saw it would be the 372XP (or its twin Jred 2171).

Talk your mother in law into buying both and you can help him cut.

 

[MDM]

OK, thanks for all the great advice - MS361 is is! I will let you know how he reacts.

Now, what should we pay for this saw with a 20" bar? Local dealers are showing MSRP at $610.

 

[orange fever]

MS361 or Jonsered

Don't forget to look at the Jonsereds. Often you can get a better price on a CS2153 (346xp) or a CS2171 (372xp) than what you can find for a Husqvarna, and if pops has been running an older saw he may like the straighter handlebar of the Jonsered better. My vote would be for a CS2153, fast, smooth, light, easy to start. I own both Jred models and use the CS2153 about 4 times as much as the CS2171.

 

[Stein]

OK, thanks for all the great advice - MS361 is is! I will let you know how he reacts.

Now, what should we pay for this saw with a 20" bar? Local dealers are showing MSRP at $610.

Don't expect much better, they don't budge much. My 361 -18" was $599 list (paid $589) last week. Would have been $609 ($599) for the 361-20. I opted for the 18". Mostly bucking for me and the 18" balanced better. They threw in one extra RSC chain.

 

[Kansas]

The 361 is probably the more practical choice. What about throwing the 359 Husky into the mix too? I sure wish the 357xp was available at the dealership. Like I said, any of these will be a major step up from what he is using now. So, given the circumstances, do you all think the 372 would just be a bit too heavy?

My 2 cents if you dont mind, I have a 359 and a 372 and there isnt that much difference in felt weight between them, yes I think the 372 will be a tad heavy and the 359 not as zippy as the 357 or 361.

With that said a 30 cc jump to a pro style saw would be huge all by itself. My vote would be 357 or 361. btw I wish my sil was worried about what saw I wanted hehehe good job! hth

Kansas

 

[TreePointer]

OK, thanks for all the great advice - MS361 is is! I will let you know how he reacts.

Now, what should we pay for this saw with a 20" bar? Local dealers are showing MSRP at $610.

Make sure to check which chain is already on the saw. The 361's at the two dealers near me have green-link safety chains (RMC3). Have the dealer swap the chain for a yellow RSC chain. If you're paying MSRP, see if they're offering other "holiday" goodies w/purchase (extra chain, carry case, filing kit, mix oil, etc).