Echo chainsaw?

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Looking at picking up a echo 452 vl saw with a 20 in bar for $100. Costs 60 to rent a saw per day here so I figured I'd buy one.  Anyone used echos or heard anything?  Thanks

[Woodchuck]

Never used their saws but echo is usually good stuff 

[Skyvalhunter]

You get what you pay. Used Echo fighting fire for the DNR. Junk in my estimation, better to go with Stihl or Husky. But if you are not going to use it much and want a cheap saw go for it.

[rasbo]

You get what you pay. Used Echo fighting fire for the DNR. Junk in my estimation, better to go with Stihl or Husky. But if you are not going to use it much and want a cheap saw go for it.

x2 wont hold up well to a ton of use...the husky has been my choice

[FC]

All my lawn and garden stuff is Echo and I can't say enough good about them, I have beat the snot out of my chainsaw and my weedeater without a hiccup. Buy with confidence!

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Basically I need it to drop 2 trees at a new rental we bought and then it will be used if I need a saw while camping or hunting or misc stuff but won't be used for stockpiling wood for the winter.  Can't justify dropping the money for a Stihl with the wife ; )

[rasbo]

Basically I need it to drop 2 trees at a new rental we bought and then it will be used if I need a saw while camping or hunting or misc stuff but won't be used for stockpiling wood for the winter.

should be fine

[jackmaster]

you will kick yourself if you buy an echo chainsaw, better go with stihl or husky, you are gonna pay a little more but it will last you a life time, i t would be just wonderful if you faced up a tree and started your back cut and the piece of crap gave out on ya  look out house

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Lol good point

[Alchase]

I just read this last night, Consumer research listed the following:
 
Best budget chainsaw = Poulan Pro PP3516AVX, $160.00
 
And the best quality overall = Husqvarna 240 e-series, $250.00
 
For Consumer-grade chainsaws

I have no experience with either of them, so I am also curious what you guys say is a decent, 18 - 20 chainsaw less then say $300.00?

[jackmaster]

also if you buy a good saw only run top notch gas through it none of that ampm or cheap gas like that and run super unleaded also, with this gas now days if you run the cheap stuff it will ruin your small gas engines, not a gas expert but a buddy said it has alot to do with the ethonol in todays gas, and when i bought my 2000 watt honda generator for my wall tent the guy at sumner lawn and saw said the same thing

[hunter-4-life]

Honestly, for little work with it its not bad. It not a good saw to round or fall trees that have any good size to them. But for smaller trees in diameter and limbing its great. Oh yeah they run great. Mine has never not given me a hard time to start even after letting it sit for a year. The one I have is the model CS400 with a 18 inch bar. On the other hand I am not going to disagree with the Husky fans out there. My go to saw is a Husqvarna Rancher 455 with a 20 inch bar. That thing is perfect for clearing trails, falling trees, and whatever else you need it for.

[FC]

Is there some other version of Echo that I am unfamiliar with? Echo is pretty damn expensive!

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

It's used, that's why it's 100. it's a older saw by the looks of it.

[FC]

It's used, that's why it's 100. it's a older saw by the looks of it.

If it runs good and has an Oregon chain on it that's decent I would JUMP on it. I don't know where people get the idea that Echo is a cheap saw either, they are great, have a great warranty and they are also not cheap to buy.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Well I talked to the guy, it's about 10 yes old has Oregon chain and new spark plug. Think I'll pick it up tonight, thanks guys. Figure it's better than spending 60 for a rental and not having a
Saw

[MichaelD]

I got a echo evl 550 for free one year.  Thought it would make a nice starter chainsaw till I could buy a new one.  Still have it and use it till this day cutting about 5 chords plus a year.  Outcuts my brothers stihl farm boss.  If the price is right, and it is, i would say jump on it and see how it works.  If its not up to the job put it up on Craigslist and get a newer saw.

[alecvg]

If you want a saw that you will use alot, I would go with husky or stihl.  But I spent a few days clearing out a piece of land for a guy using an echo for the smaller trees, probably cut 50 or 60 good sized trees with it, held up well.  I would buy it, that is a dang good price, especially with the Oregon bar.

[carpsniperg2]

If you want a saw that you will use alot, I would go with husky or stihl. 

 

[BLUEBULLS]

Has echo quality gone down recently? We use an older echo that my dad has had forever. Cut 6-10 cords of firewood a year, cut and notched all of the logs for a cabin, made hundreds of pieces of big furniture. That thing is a diehard. There'll be 5 brands of saws up with us sometimes and the echo is the only one that's never had problems. It is well maintained and never neglected so that may be part of it. I bet that thing's 25 years old.

doing need to buy myself a new one soon so it's good to know what today's saws are doing.

[esh]

Have a husky but my uncle has older Echo that has been good to him with no problems.....

[Special T]

Echo might not be a husky or a Stehil but you can get parts for them without having to run too far....Jump on it and if you don't i'll buy it! I need one!

[7mag.]

I have an older Echo that I use the most out of all my saws. It is the most reliable. I can always count on my Echo when the other's won't start. Don't get me wrong, I love my Stihl's, but that little Echo is hard to beat.

[Alchase]

Couple of questions for a chainsaw newbee,
 
First, what is an "Oregon chain" and what makes it so desirable?
 
Second, and possible a stupid question, does anyone make a 4 stroke chainsaw? I was just curious because all my other motored tools (lawn mower, weed wacker, even my outboard motors) are 4-strokes, yet I have never seen a 4-stroke chainsaw?
 
 

[FC]

Couple of questions for a chainsaw newbee,
 
First, what is an "Oregon chain" and what makes it so desirable?
 
Second, and possible a stupid question, does anyone make a 4 stroke chainsaw? I was just curious because all my other motored tools (lawn mower, weed wacker, even my outboard motors) are 4-strokes, yet I have never seen a 4-stroke chainsaw?

Oregon Chain makes high quality chains and bars that most upper end saws come with, they are sharp, durable and easy to maintain. Echo, Stihl and I believe Husqvarna comes OE with an Oregon chain too. Home depot junk china made chains suck!

4 stroke motors aren't nearly as efficient on a lb per hp or ft lb of torque scale or even displacement vs power, I don't know of any 4 stroke chainsaws. For something like an outboard they are great since a little extra weight won't cause you detriment and they do make significantly more torque and for a longer RPM range than a 2 stroke as well as getting far better economy and being much quieter.

[jeepster]

If you want a saw that you will use alot, I would go with husky or stihl. 

 

i have an echo (home depot special) and i got it for a weekend project.... so far it runs well, but its not a professional grade tool... its a higher end consumer tool....

kind of like black and decker vs porter cable (even though they have the same parent company)

it will work well for what you will need it for, but its not gonna be something you give to your kids in 20 years like a stihl

[Alchase]

Couple of questions for a chainsaw newbee,
 
First, what is an "Oregon chain" and what makes it so desirable?
 
Second, and possible a stupid question, does anyone make a 4 stroke chainsaw? I was just curious because all my other motored tools (lawn mower, weed wacker, even my outboard motors) are 4-strokes, yet I have never seen a 4-stroke chainsaw?

Oregon Chain makes high quality chains and bars that most upper end saws come with, they are sharp, durable and easy to maintain. Echo, Stihl and I believe Husqvarna comes OE with an Oregon chain too. Home depot junk china made chains suck!

4 stroke motors aren't nearly as efficient on a lb per hp or ft lb of torque scale or even displacement vs power, I don't know of any 4 stroke chainsaws. For something like an outboard they are great since a little extra weight won't cause you detriment and they do make significantly more torque and for a longer RPM range than a 2 stroke as well as getting far better economy and being much quieter.

Thanks for the info

[akirkland]

you will kick yourself if you buy an echo chainsaw, better go with stihl or husky, you are gonna pay a little more but it will last you a life time, i t would be just wonderful if you faced up a tree and started your back cut and the piece of crap gave out on ya  look out house

[gotshot]

My echo has always started and treated me well.

[Pathfinder101]

Just went through this same dillemma myself.  Stihl/Echo/Husky.  45 minutes ago I bought the Stihl Farm Boss. 
I talked to a couple of small engine guys and they told me to go Stihl or Husky.  They said the older Echos were good, but the newer ones are not.  I went with the Stihl becasue for what I wanted, I found it $50 cheaper in Stihl.