:yin-yang:
Andy, Thanks.
I have a feeling you are perfectly right. Sawtroll says that in the 50cc category, the point is...maneuverabilty. That's what I am looking for first and foremost...a flickable saw. I flicked the 260 and dolmar 5105 around and the 346 felt the most balanced easily. It might not stand flat on the ground but I don't care about that. The width of the 346 is compact because it's meant for action, not resting on dirt. I like that...just like a good handling car has a stiff suspension and take turns staying flat when a springy barge cruises leans like a boat when pushed around. Me personally, I prefer to cut wood with the equivalent of a rally car versus a barge. My mind is made up...who needs to cut down general Sherman or do some cutting speed test on a workbench? but everyone needs to be nimble and be able to cut left, right, below, above and that's what matters in the real world (well...my real world at least). A tool should be transparent, disappear from your mind, be part of you. The 346 XP is calling me in that way and I do think that I'll love it. The day a saw weights 1/2 lbs and pulls 10KW..that will be the day full transparency can be experienced but I'll be dead then and so will all of us so for now...I'll settle with the 11 pounders with its 2.7 KW and enjoy every minute of it.
Anyone that thinks the 261 is really all that better than a 346 is blowing hot air. Sure the 261 is a bit more powerful, but only a stop watch can really tell, as ones perception plays too big of a role here.
Oregone you can't tell the difference in power with your hands, people who lean Stihl are letting it get to them, end of story. The 261 is a great saw, but so is the 346 and I personally like the feel of it better, you'll love it.
Andy, Thanks.
I have a feeling you are perfectly right. Sawtroll says that in the 50cc category, the point is...maneuverabilty. That's what I am looking for first and foremost...a flickable saw. I flicked the 260 and dolmar 5105 around and the 346 felt the most balanced easily. It might not stand flat on the ground but I don't care about that. The width of the 346 is compact because it's meant for action, not resting on dirt. I like that...just like a good handling car has a stiff suspension and take turns staying flat when a springy barge cruises leans like a boat when pushed around. Me personally, I prefer to cut wood with the equivalent of a rally car versus a barge. My mind is made up...who needs to cut down general Sherman or do some cutting speed test on a workbench? but everyone needs to be nimble and be able to cut left, right, below, above and that's what matters in the real world (well...my real world at least). A tool should be transparent, disappear from your mind, be part of you. The 346 XP is calling me in that way and I do think that I'll love it. The day a saw weights 1/2 lbs and pulls 10KW..that will be the day full transparency can be experienced but I'll be dead then and so will all of us so for now...I'll settle with the 11 pounders with its 2.7 KW and enjoy every minute of it.