MS290 Performance

[Ekka]

I would rather buy a Shindaiwa 577 to a 290 in that compatable range. Maybe those alternate brands are better options.

But one good thing about those Stihl saws is their made out of plastic so the palms dont eat away at them.

The downside is they dont even have enough balls to cut through a palm.

Our site is going excellent, but it's not for saw rev heads it's for arborists and tree carers.

 

[THALL10326]

I would rather buy a Shindaiwa 577 to a 290 in that compatable range. Maybe those alternate brands are better options.

But one good thing about those Stihl saws is their made out of plastic so the palms dont eat away at them.

The downside is they dont even have enough balls to cut through a palm.

Our site is going excellent, but it's not for saw rev heads it's for arborists and tree carers.

You site is doing excellent, whatcha doing overhere, ya getting lonely overthere? No matter how you flash it ya gotta have the posts or its a lemon. The 290's have the buyers, plenty of them, so I reckon the lemon is, wellllllllllllllllll you figure it out,lol

 

[Bowtie]

My lemon ford escort boat anchor tears up mulberry pretty well. Not the best saw made, but better than a lot I have ran. Cant be all junk, its Stih's best selling saw.

 

[Ekka]

You site is doing excellent, whatcha doing overhere, ya getting lonely overthere? No matter how you flash it ya gotta have the posts or its a lemon.

Lets see, 5 weeks we have been running, over a hundred members, 183 threads and 1,679 posts for a new forum built from ground up starting at ZERO. Hardly bad, in fact brought some quick changes to AS as I'm now a potential threat.

I do not post links here, cant anyway, AS has word censored the name. Must be a friggin big lemon then hey Thall?

The 290's have the buyers, plenty of them, so I reckon the lemon is, wellllllllllllllllll you figure it out,lol

See, Stihl are cunning bastids to do business with. What they do is have pretty much dedicated dealers.

You go into a Husky shop and they'll have Echo, Shindaiwa, Jonsered even Komhatsu etc and you can can check out all the saws. But Stihl, they're Germans who are still fond of the wall. They dont want you to have all the competitors there.


Hands down a 577 would cream a 290 and out live it.

what about the Husky alternative on it?

Now the Stihl dealer he doesn't want the customer to know that, he will tell the customer that Stihl are almighty and sent upon the earth by God backed by the Holy Ghost and Jesus himself should things go wrong Stihl will take care of you ... bla bla bla. But those 3 saws are the pigs of the Stihl arsenal, and there's much better options out there. :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[59Billy]

All the 290 owners on this site didn't like you calling their saw a lemon either.

I doubt any of us are gonna lose any sleep over it.

 

[THALL10326]

Lets see, 5 weeks we have been running, over a hundred members, 183 threads and 1,679 posts for a new forum built from ground up starting at ZERO. Hardly bad, in fact brought some quick changes to AS as I'm now a potential threat.

I do not post links here, cant anyway, AS has word censored the name. Must be a friggin big lemon then hey Thall?



See, Stihl are cunning bastids to do business with. What they do is have pretty much dedicated dealers.

You go into a Husky shop and they'll have Echo, Shindaiwa, Jonsered even Komhatsu etc and you can can check out all the saws. But Stihl, they're Germans who are still fond of the wall. They dont want you to have all the competitors there.


Hands down a 577 would cream a 290 and out live it.

what about the Husky alternative on it?

Now the Stihl dealer he doesn't want the customer to know that, he will tell the customer that Stihl are almighty and sent upon the earth by God backed by the Holy Ghost and Jesus himself should things go wrong Stihl will take care of you ... bla bla bla. But those 3 saws are the pigs of the Stihl arsenal, and there's much better options out there. :hmm3grin2orange:

See there Ekka, your getting long winded cause I picked on you about something of yours, your site. Now ya know how the 290 owners feel when you say their saws are lemons. I got no issue with ya site, was just using it as a example. I like the flashy looks it has, really do.

Whats really funny though is I read on your site one of your own posts that you use Stihl mostly. I think you said something along the lines they are tuffer than other saws, you recall saying that? Now your overhere yaking about them, make up ya mind Ekka. Fact is Ekka your a pro saw man and you use pro saws. The 290 is not a pro saw and it suits the average user just fine. I know more about the 290 than you because I've sold 100's of them and not one complaint to date, not one. Your just one person so to me its one complainer verses 100's of satisfied users, who am I gonna believe, the complainer, not me, nope, wink!

 

[chowdozer]

No, I think I understand your original post, and reasoning. I do not agree with it. My beef is not with Troll. If he does not like the 290, and has reasons for it? OK, fine. He is in love with the 361. I like mine too. The 290 has its faults. The 361 also has its faults. If the Troll wants to compare the 290 and the 361, I think that is fine. They are similar saws in a lot of respects. But to say that the 290 is an econo junk car and the 361 is some type of exotic sports car? I think that is too far off base. Also to say that comparing 2 chainsaws in nearly the same power range designed for the same purpose is comparing apples to oranges? I think that is rediculous. Comparing the 290 to the 361 is apples to apples. One is a red delicious, sells for 50 cents a pound. The other is a Fuji, sells for a dollar a pound. Price is what is not relevant when directly comparing the performance of saws. I mean, are you gonna go out there into the woods, thinking, "Hey, because I paid more of less for the saw it will fell or buck that thar tree better or worse becasue of the price I paid for it..."???

Also to say that your not having experience with these saws is irrelevant is against basic Arboristsite policy and intention. opcorn:

No, you didn't understand my post. Sorry.

But to say that the 290 is an econo junk car and the 361 is some type of exotic sports car?

Hmmm, wonder where you got that? Is it because I said the 290 costs much less than the 361? That's a fact so I don't see why you have a problem with it. You seem to have made an assumption based on the price difference between the two saws. The two saws are marketed to two different types of users. That's a fact too. Look on Stihl's website.

Also to say that comparing 2 chainsaws in nearly the same power range designed for the same purpose is comparing apples to oranges? I think that is rediculous. Comparing the 290 to the 361 is apples to apples. ...Price is what is not relevant when directly comparing the performance of saws.

You're wrong there partner. The two saws are not directly comparable. Price is one of the major factors that drives a homeowners saw purchase. Good grief, it's why the 290 sells so well. It's also why Lowe's and Home Depot sell so many saws. If you think they are comparable, try to sell a 361` to Joe Average homeowner/farmer. Good luck! Just tell them not to look at the price tag until you charge their Visa. Try to sell a 290 to a professional that uses his saw every day. Good luck again! Yeah, there are exceptions, but they are exceptions not the rule. If you can't market the two saws to the same customer, guess what??? They are not comparable in the customer's eye's! Need I tell you that the customer is where the money comes from?

I mean, are you gonna go out there into the woods, thinking, "Hey, because I paid more of less for the saw it will fell or buck that thar tree better or worse becasue of the price I paid for it..."???

Those are your words/thoughts, not mine.

If you go back to my second post, you will see that I wrote the 290 is a fine saw for it's intended use and price. According to Stihl's website, that intended use is as a midrange saw for farm use. Can you use a 290 professionally? Sure, why not? Not everyone wants to pay $700+ for a 50-60cc saw. Can you use a 361 for firewood use? Sure, many do! Let me repeat myself! The 290 and 361 are not marketed to the same class of user and the features/price reflect this.

If you're going to compare two saws of similiar displacement, you have to realize that some users are going to make the final decision based on price. Especially if one saw costs almost twice as much as the other. So why would anyone quote specs and not price when comparing the two saws? It's like giving the customer 2/3 of the information for his/her saw purchase

If you feel the need for more discussion, pm me.

 

[Scooterbum]

I'm a little new at this "tinkering with chainsaws"bit.I have owned and ran saws for several years but would like to learn more about the performance end of the saws I own.I've had a little 024av (20") for probably 12 years now,and that baby cuts like a dream!!!...can't seem to bog it down.onthe other hand my newer MS290(20") doesn't seem to compare.I have ran the saws side by side,both with new,sharp chain but the 290 just doesn't have the "top end" so to speak.Is this to be expected or the norm?also is there some carb or exhaust work I could do to get a little more juice out of it?:help:

An all this guy asked for was a little help with his saw........................


Need I say anymore?

 

[chowdozer]

An all this guy asked for was a little help with his saw........................


Need I say anymore?

Yeah, kinda like when someone asks about a saw to cut down one tree and everyone starts recommending a $500-600 saw!!!

 

[Ekka]

You are right about me being a Stihl guy Thall.

I just cant stand those 3 saws, and having used others in that range I think there's better out there that's all.

 

[trimmmed]

Lets see, 5 weeks we have been running, over a hundred members, 183 threads and 1,679 posts for a new forum built from ground up starting at ZERO. Hardly bad, in fact brought some quick changes to AS as I'm now a potential threat.

:

Ha, a hundred members you say, lol ( I'm one btw) Let me tell you I haven't checked my email for 2 days and I am almost afraid to open it, there will probably be more than a hundred newbs in there.

Anyway, I think all the other sites are zapped in the word censor, it ain't personal. In fact I can't recall hearing anything bad about you or your site from any of the folks here. Not everybody is out to get you Ekka.

 

[begleytree]

Ha, a hundred members you say, lol ( I'm one btw) Let me tell you I haven't checked my email for 2 days and I am almost afraid to open it, there will probably be more than a hundred newbs in there.

Anyway, I think all the other sites are zapped in the word censor, it ain't personal. In fact I can't recall hearing anything bad about you or your site from any of the folks here. Not everybody is out to get you Ekka.

I have a couple names there too. odd that its a forum for climbers yet I was never invited. they invited everyone else. maybe it's just a bad idea to PM an invite to a mod?
Ralph, with his bottom lip sticking out, all hurt feelers and everything. (no, seriously)

 

[angel]

Ya gots to let it go Ekka

Think about it! Crikey!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sawinredneck]

I have a couple names there too. odd that its a forum for climbers yet I was never invited. they invited everyone else. maybe it's just a bad idea to PM an invite to a mod?
Ralph, with his bottom lip sticking out, all hurt feelers and everything. (no, seriously)

Don't feel bad Ralph,I didn't get an invite either :deadhorse: :hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[windthrown]

No Husky-Stihl dealers? Not so...

You go into a Husky shop and they'll have Echo, Shindaiwa, Jonsered even Komhatsu etc and you can can check out all the saws. But Stihl, they're Germans who are still fond of the wall. They dont want you to have all the competitors there.

Well sorry mate, you're dead wrong there. See, in my town here there is a Stihl dealer, and that very same Stihl dealer also happens to sell and service... can you guess the name of the saw company?... yah, you got it, in the very same Stihl store they sell Husky saws. The full line. Talk about plastic all you want, Huskys seem to be buried in that stuff too.

 

[windthrown]

The poor 290...

If you feel the need for more discussion, pm me.

Naw, we obviously disagree or agree on some points that we are not going to change on. Anyway, I am getting heaps of positive rep points from many AS folks on my posts on this thread in favor of my arguments, and seemingly many of us have the same narrow-minded view as I do on this subject. I have both saws mentioned here, and I use and compare them on a daily basis. I have a goal now to make the 290 as powerful as the stock 361. Then take the 361 and well.... I have a 460 coming in the mail, so I do not need more power. Maybe I will leave the 361 stock and sell it if the 460 works out as I expect it to, or mod the 361 if the 460 does not work out. I will have the 460 for a 2 week trial period and I can return it, no questions asked, if I do not like it. Then hey, then I can compare the 460 to the 361, and even the 460 to the 290. That should seemingly pop some brain cells on this site.

As for the comments from the folks down in Aussy land:

I should be getting a shipment of cheap, flimsy plastic throw-away homeowner 290-310-390 saws from Australia as well. They seem to throw them all onto the compost piles down there in favor of Huskys. Something about them not working in palm trees. Whatever palm trees are. Around here we just have shrimpy 'homeowner sized' doug and grand firs, oaks, alders and madrone and stuff like that. These saws should be readilly available down under for dirt cheap. Maybe that will be my next profession; turning out modified junker Aussy "homeowner" saws into hotsaws and selling them at logger shows. The future looks bright!

 

[chowdozer]

Anyway, I am getting heaps of positive rep points from many AS folks on my posts on this thread in favor of my arguments, and seemingly many of us have the same narrow-minded view as I do on this subject.

LOL, I have received much rep on this thread too. hahaha
I looked at the 440 and 460, but went with the 441 after I test ran it. Next it will get the full-on mods.

 

[Ekka]

Excellent Windthrown to have them like that ... rare here, very rare.

The chassis of the 29,31,39 are plastic not alloy is what I was referring to.

Guys, you'd be hard pressed to get a PM coz I know what happens, we've been down this road before with Angel above (check IP and prolly using proxy) so nothing personal.

I also emailed Darin and told him exactly what I was doing etc so there's no underhanded tactics, my hands are above the table.

I'm not going to jeopardize my membership here. Cheer up Ralph, DDM missed out too. lol

 

[Eccentric]

You missed my point, therefore my 'logic' escaped you...

Bad business practice? <blink blink> I fail to see your line of reasoning. I am sure that Stihl will never retire their BEST SELLING SAW. That would lead to lost sales revenue. You also say that the 290 is a good saw, yet they should pull the model. The Vulcan in me says that is rather... illogical.

They'll "never retire their BEST SELLING SAW"??? Wasn't the 031AVE their best selling model for years? It's (sadly) long gone except amoung the collectors and the old saw kooks like myself. Did you read my whole post, or stop after that first paragraph? There's no conflict in my 'logic' regarding the 290. Yes it's a good saw (never said it had a flaw that necessitated it's removal), however it's redundant with the existance of the 310.

Do you dispute that Stihl could sell the 310 (the same saw with more power) for the same price that they now sell the 290 for? They 'have' to sell it for more than the 290 when both are in the lineup (since you get 'more' from the MS310) even though the 310 doesn't cost them any more to manufacture.

I agree that they're reluctant to 'kill the cash cow' (to mangle some metaphores) by dumping the MS290 when it sells like hotcakes. However, the 'lost sales revenue' you mentioned could be avoided entirely by 'clever marketing'. Stihl could just take a page out of their own playbook. Remember the magnificent 038 and 056 families? Stihl increased the displacement and called them 'Magnums' to revitalize the models. Clear your mind and envision this possible future event Spok:

"Stihl announces the release of the MS290M Magnum Farm Boss, with more displacement, more power, and an adjustable oiler....FOR THE SAME LOW PRICE!!!"


On paper the MS310 would be quietly dropped from the lineup (even though it would in fact remain as the 'new' MS290M). I have to wonder why Stihl didn't do this instead of releasing the MS310 as an addition to the lineup (which originaly was a two saw family--think 029/039).


Stihl would then be free to adjust the price point of the MS390 (as I mentioned previously) to make some $$$ breathing room between it and the MS361. More sales equals more $$$$$$$.

I agree, however, that Stihl does have too many saws in their lineup. A merger of the lower end stuff into fewer models might be good.

Now you've gotten my point. Must've taken a few minutes to digest my whole post. Embrace my logic...

Live long and prosper!

But hey, I am not working for Stihl, and they make and sell saws, trimmers, blowers and similar stuff and make a profit and have survived this long, so what the heck.

You and me both brother. This whole discussion is just 'arguing how many angles can dance on the head of a pin'. I'm still waiting for the MS390 and accessories from Stihl in 'thanks' for my great, 'logical' idea however. Maybe they can ship one from an OZ Stihl dealer??? opcorn:

 

[Ekka]

"Stihl announces the release of the MS290M Magnum Farm Boss, with more displacement, more power, and an adjustable oiler....FOR THE SAME LOW PRICE!!!"

SCOOP, unvieling of the new MS290Magnum, definately a macho's saw! :hmm3grin2orange: