Horse of a different color
Does the 346XP count as a climbing saw? It's a little heavier than the top-handles, but between the gas tank being larger and the cuts being made faster, the productivity rockets beyond that of the trim saws. You never really get to that point where you're waiting for the saw to get through a larger diameter cut, wishing you'd gotten a bigger saw sent up. On takedowns, I habitually flush-cut branches from the limbs, where the collar may be 2-3X the diameter of the branch. With my choice in climbing saws, that doesn't really matter.
I appreciate, also, the control and predictability. Like many, I will underside notch a limb and then come in from the top with a tapered hinge, or some varient thereof to get the limb to fall the direction I intend. Between the insane power, full-chisel chain and the rakers knocked down a bit, it's like riding a spirited champion racehorse instead of a Shetland pony. It's really not a whole lot heavier, not when you consider the level of performance it offers. The control is better because the power is better and can be counted on.
I also carry a Silky Saw for the small cuts so I don't have to fire up a saw for small diameter material.
If I were trimming palms it would be way different and a top-handle would be the choice du jour. Then I'd go with an Echo for the price and because they start with such great predictability. But, I don't do ladders well and would rather leave palms for the many who are better able.
