How are the Echo Saws (quality)

[steppinthrax]

I got a 200 HD gf for X-mas. I've been wanting to get a saw for the past year. I'm looking at an Echo that's around 299.99. It's got a 18" bar. Does Echo make a good quailty saw. In addition what's a good bar length.

http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-O...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

[REJ2]

No problem with their quality, 18" bar on that saw is a little long. 16" would be better suited.

 

[rmotoman]

The cs 400 is a good little chainsaw. I bought one about 2 months ago. It has lots of grunt for only 40cc. They are very lean from the factory and need more fuel.

 

[miking]

They've always been excellent for me. Best bang for the buck saws out there, in my humble opinion.

 

[mountainlake]

With a muff modd and pulling the caps and tuning you can't beat them for a 40cc saw, excellent quality and the will cut as fast or faster than 50cc homeowner saws. I own several and for anything under 14" are by far my favorite saws. 13# ready to cut. Steve

 

[Ironhand]

I'm really happy with my cs400 so far. Nice saw for the $$. In addition to going with the 16" bar, I'd suggest a more aggressive VX/VXL chain when the stocker is shot.

 

[justme23005]

If you don't muffler mod it, a 16 inch bar is a good idea... With a MM, the 18 inch bar isn't too bad. SHARP 91VXL chain will make it cut pretty good.

 

[mountainlake]

i have some with 16" and some with 18" both work good, if you have safety chain a bench grinder will remove the safety part in 3 minutes. Steve

 

[MN Ripper]

They've always been excellent for me. Best bang for the buck saws out there, in my humble opinion.

Thats what I've found owning several Echo's also.

 

[Farm Boy]

Aren't the Echo and Shindiawa close cousins?

 

[justme23005]

Aren't the Echo and Shindiawa close cousins?

they merged a couple years ago.. 2009?

 

[NORMZILLA44]

I can vouch for Echo. I have run em since about 1995. They have a great quality line, and well rounded. I own 2 echo pole saws. One weedeater, and my buddy has a cs 341 top saw, one of the best top saws made I think.

 

[mountainlake]

Aren't the Echo and Shindiawa close cousins?

The only Echo that has some Shindaiwa in it is the Cs500 far as I know. . Owning both a 488 Shindaiwa and some CS520 Echo saws I'd take the CS520 any day, way more power with the Echo and both are built good. Steve

 

[motobike]

Echo Quality

I can only speak from my own experience.

Quaility is very good, and I never had an engine failure with any Echo.

But in saying that; the new saws for sure and the older ones too; need to have a richer mix of fuel. The are set too lean to last.

I suppose if you only did occasional cutting and light cutting, you may be alright, but the saw will work better with a carb mixture change.

I always modify the exhaust, taking the catalytic out and open up the exhaust ports; you can really see and feel the difference.

Of course there are more expensive saws out there and they have good quality also. if you want to pay the $$$.

motobike

 

[James_skingley]

I can vouch for Echo. I have run em since about 1995. They have a great quality line, and well rounded. I own 2 echo pole saws. One weedeater, and my buddy has a cs 341 top saw, one of the best top saws made I think.

Personally I dont think the 341 is one of the best climbing saws, its light yes, its cheaper yes but seriously if your taking a chainsaw into the canopy with you you want the old ms200t or even huskies 335xpt... a secondhand saw will cost you less than the echo and last twice as long. I used an echo on a freelance job for a crook out this way, the casing was smashed cos its so plasticky and it had a habbit of overheating.
Blah blah blah...
...Guess it depends on your use, if ur in the back garden logging 6-10'' pine then gooooooooooo Echo, the groundsaws do run lean but can be tweaked, u get a good hobby saw for the price. If its bigger timber and you want the saw to last a long time then Im a stihl fan all day long, Ive run the 240 for years as my hobby saw and we take the 880 to work for s***s & giggles.

 

[Woodcutteranon]

You cannot overlook the 5 year consumer warranty.

I would post some pics of some Echo saws but for some reason the picture posting process is pretty pathetic.

 

[Magnumfloyd]

My 400 runs real good rich with a muffler mood on the stock safety chain

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

 

[cre73]

I have been more then happy with my 341. I am by no means a pro but it works for me. 2 years now and over 10 cords no issues.

 

[greendohn]

got 10 years or so out of my 1st little echo w/no problem. bought another just like it. Same with my weed whacker.

 

[67L36Driver]

How about the older models?

Do the 650 or 750 types have any bad issues?

I'm thinking for my first on purpose furrin' saw buy that a 60-70 cc Echo would be interesting.