Y'all don't get me wrong or anything, I think the 290 is a Pig.
A reliable pig that will cut a LOT of firewood as long as the Beer holds out.
NO SAW puts up with a dull chain as famously as a 290.
NO SAW can be dropped off a tailgate and survive as often as a 290.
NO SAW in history, runs as well on a mix of 9 month old Boat gas and water, salvaged from the last bass trip.
Matter of fact, the 290 excells so well in it's category of "No Love divorce trophy chainsaw", Husqvarna HAD to develop the 455 to compete with it.
For 14 Months Swedish cops were baffled by Drunken Swede engineers chucking chainsaws outta Volvo station wagons on all kinds of roads, untill it was discovered that the standard proving grounds were not suitable, and Husqvarna got a special Govt. research permit to use public roads.
They still didn't get it quite right though. Aluminum sheeting and insulation will bind up a 455 when cutting a Mobile Home in half, a horrible oversight the 290 does not suffer from.
Y'all can hate on 'em all ya want. I wont own one, and don't like to run them, but ya wont hear me trash talk the things.They really are a great saw for thier intended market share!
Stay safe!
Dingeryote