Peter White
PAW
Hello! New member here... Been reading site heavily lately for info on tree work and chainsaws. I am about to purchase a saw and wanted to share some info and ask a question on top handle saws.
I have been to Stihl and Echo/Husqvarna dealers this week. I tried out the Still MS 201T (new) and MS192T (old model, very used). Very impressed with MS201 - great power, quick response, nice ergonomics and handling. Dealer told me that the new ones have addressed the power and response issues, since serial number 1773xxxx or something like that. And that if an owner is unhappy with their older MS201t's output, they should discuss with their Stihl dealer - might be rectified for free! I was not impressed with MS192 - the one I used had very little power compared to the MS201T - night and day. BTW - I was very impressed with Mayer Power Products in Essex, MA - seemed like a great shop for tree climbing supplies and chainsaws.
I was very interested in the Echo's, so headed to Echo dealer - who also carried Husqvarnas. Was surprised, after visiting Echo-USA site that ECHO currently only carries the MS 271T , 303t, and 355T - they have discontinued all other top handles (330T, 360T). I liked both the 303T and 355T. Will likely come down to cost on that score. $330 for 303T, $460 for 355T, and $610 for Still MS 201T. The Husqvarna T435 and T540XP seemed plastic-y and complex. The T435 to me is not as attractive as the 303T, and the T540XP at $640 seemed outdone by Stihl MS201T.
Sooooo, to my question.... I cannot find much info on the Echo CS303T. It appeals to me as it is a simple design, clean, and awell thought out saw, and is supposed to be easy and inexpensive to work on (tune, repair). I would expect it be reliable and tough, and probably down in power relative to MS 201 and CS355. But how much down!? Any real world experience out there with the 303T? I did not run the CS355, but that looks to be a great saw - if I decided to spend that much, I will ask to run one. If power is the same as the MS201, I would probably go for the Echo and save $150. But for me the CS303T seems like a great saw for the dough. Any input on the 303 would be appreciated.
I have been to Stihl and Echo/Husqvarna dealers this week. I tried out the Still MS 201T (new) and MS192T (old model, very used). Very impressed with MS201 - great power, quick response, nice ergonomics and handling. Dealer told me that the new ones have addressed the power and response issues, since serial number 1773xxxx or something like that. And that if an owner is unhappy with their older MS201t's output, they should discuss with their Stihl dealer - might be rectified for free! I was not impressed with MS192 - the one I used had very little power compared to the MS201T - night and day. BTW - I was very impressed with Mayer Power Products in Essex, MA - seemed like a great shop for tree climbing supplies and chainsaws.
I was very interested in the Echo's, so headed to Echo dealer - who also carried Husqvarnas. Was surprised, after visiting Echo-USA site that ECHO currently only carries the MS 271T , 303t, and 355T - they have discontinued all other top handles (330T, 360T). I liked both the 303T and 355T. Will likely come down to cost on that score. $330 for 303T, $460 for 355T, and $610 for Still MS 201T. The Husqvarna T435 and T540XP seemed plastic-y and complex. The T435 to me is not as attractive as the 303T, and the T540XP at $640 seemed outdone by Stihl MS201T.
Sooooo, to my question.... I cannot find much info on the Echo CS303T. It appeals to me as it is a simple design, clean, and awell thought out saw, and is supposed to be easy and inexpensive to work on (tune, repair). I would expect it be reliable and tough, and probably down in power relative to MS 201 and CS355. But how much down!? Any real world experience out there with the 303T? I did not run the CS355, but that looks to be a great saw - if I decided to spend that much, I will ask to run one. If power is the same as the MS201, I would probably go for the Echo and save $150. But for me the CS303T seems like a great saw for the dough. Any input on the 303 would be appreciated.
