I’ve ran both a decent amount. The 661 i ran wasn’t an M-Tronic, but i tuned it well. The 661 is an absolute torque monster and great for big log after big log. Would be a great choice for milling too. However, i wouldn’t want to run around in the woods all day with it. The 500i’s weight is comparable to most 70cc saws, but the power and high chain speed bring it close to 90cc territory. Just a very well rounded saw. The high rpm’s make it great for limbing and trailblazing almost like how a 60cc saw is. The way i see it, if you’re in the market for a big saw, the 661 is a beast and a must for lots of big ugly stuff. The 500i can handle big ugly stuff too if need be, you just cant push it like the 661. With the 500i, you wont burn yourself out as much being how much lighter and more maneuverable it is. If you already have a 70cc saw, it would make more sense to get the 661. If you’re going up from a 60cc to a bigger saw, the 500i would be a great choice.
I personally own a 500 I,stock a 32 is about it on bar length, the only thing that I changed is the suspension kit from west coast saws, improved the feel a ton
Good video Genin. It just confirms what we pretty much knew anyway. In wood up to say 24" the 500 will keep up with (if not beat) the 661, and when you get into really large logs, the 661 is just a torque monster and the 500 doesn't stand a chance.
Good Morning: Great Review- The bottomline is there all tools- just like adjustable wrenches. There’s different sizes for different jobs. Personally, I cut smaller softwood trees and 50cc and 60cc with 20 inch bars are used most of the time. All it comes to down is the most cost effective and efficient saw for your job.
I run a 661 Magnum (non mtronic). After spending the amount of money, the OEM asks for this saws. After 10 years, I would say my 661 would still be running with minimal expenses compared to the other ones.
I've ran both of theses saws several months ago, and came to the same conclusion I own the MS 661 she is a torx monster but my buddies 500i is a screamer great video fellas! Thanks for sharing 👍
I use the 661 for milling. I would not want the 500 for milling at all. I would like to see a comparison with a 661 and a 881. I would love to mill some hickory.
G'day 765 Guys, They need to inject the 661 then hold on to your hat, Oh the 066 Magnum variant I purchased my first one back in the late 80's or early 90's then another a few years later I still have them and a MS660 the best saws ever made and I'm including my 880 in the mix 👍.
Hey Genin and Aaron. You guys did a great job on the testing. Going by what I've seen on other videos, the 500i works best in big wood and falls flat in small wood. But it seems to me in your video, the 500i is lacking the torque it requires in big wood when dogging. Its great you guys are doing this because it could help someone like myself when ready to move up. Kenny
I don't have a ton of time with the 500i, but I have done some cutting with it as you both know. To me, it comes down to economics. For the money, a 462 is cheaper, similar power, and every bit as capable as the 500i. For similar money as the 500i, I can buy a 661 that has more grunt and I believe more capable, especially with bigger bars installed. Not knocking the 500i, to me, the 500i just came into the Stihl lineup in an odd place. It needs to have more power and torque at it's price point or needs to be a few hundred dollars cheaper. I will say this, Stihl has marketed the 500i very well, it got a lot of those 290/390 owners to buy their first pro-saw. Great video fellas.
Absolutely Bob, if you came from a 290 and the only thing you’ve run is a 290 and 500, of course the 500i is going to seem like a god send, but once you try other saws, it doesn’t take long to realize it’s not far off from others. Just comes down to use and how many saws do you want to own.
In other vids and comments, I've read that the 500i might be technique specific. The fuel injection might be adjusting itself to unloaded running when you pin the throttle just before entering the log and then bog because it wasn't expecting that kind of resistance/ load. If you drag it into the would, sorta mid throttle and then rev up, others have said it won't bog down. Untested on my end as I've never used a 500i.
Good video! I own both saws and the 500i (79 cc)definitely holds it's own against the 661 (92 cc). I'd like to see what would happen with a 462 in the mix... You might be surprised. Cheers!
Nice Video! In my opinion the 462 is the better 500i, because its so handy, has tourque and its a beast. the 661 has much tourque, you can eaven run an 8t sprocket if you need insane chainspeed. its a traktor and also nice for milling 👌
Alot of the pro guys out west that are running 32 and 36 inch bars appear to all have the 500i ported and cut the jug a little or do a base gasket delete in addition to a foam air filter like a max flow or red beard/wcs , and an exhaust like a WCS or Egan and have them recalibrated. I think once all this has been done to the saw its really a great saw. Out of the box??? Yeah the 661 will eat it everytime with 32 or 36 bar. The 28inch bar I think is ideal for the 500i in stock form. Just my opinion though. Great video and thanks for doing this test!! Id like to see the MS462 vs 500i if you can someday! Both with 28" bars
A lot of the guys out west run big bars but cut softwood. This is tough hickory, not an easy cutting wood. Not sure if you saw it or not but the video before this we ran the 462vs500 with 25” bars.
@@765Guys Very good point!! I usually cut oak, poplar, pine....mostly. I do understand that hickory is very hard and tough to cut. Now that you mention it, I did see that video and commented on it too lol, it has the 400C in it aswell. I will watch it again! Thanks!
That was enjoyable. I like buying a piece of equipment that can repair. Basic maintenance at most with the 500i. 661 I could do more to. I don't want to be taking anything to the shop if I can help it. If the 500i as electrical issues I'm sure it's off to the shop
I own both saws the 661 is a monster a little heavy.my 500i is AWESOME both are ported bark box 36 STIHL light bars. BOTH GREAT SAWS STIHL ONLY!☝️☝️☝️☝️
At 36" I think the 500 is over barred. 28 to 32" is more the sweet spot for that saw. Thats enough to keep it from 4 stroking but not so much to kill its torque. But as was shown the 661 is just a monster and can take what ever comes its way. Both great saws.
Good video. I just picked up a 661 and looking forward to putting it into the wood. Curious how a 661 would do with the next size up sprocket to increase the chain speed some.
661 all day. Go big or go home. If you're going to port, tune and modify and you'll be carrying the saw through the mountains, I'd take the 500i. You'll spend another 1000 dollars getting all that set up, though.
I wouldn't pay that amount on the 500i. I would buy the 661 hands down. I've cut with the 500i, in green wood . Runs great. If I wanted a new saw I would buy a 462. just my opinion. I've ran Husky for years past.
I got a 661 with a 36 inch bar. After running it a couple days I got the 462 with a 25 inch bar. The 661 wore me out running it whereas the 462 i could run all day. Not to mention how much the 661 guzzles fuel. Im looking at a 500i now
I had to come to the comments section to get the summary because I'm not actually interested in watching 13 minutes of the video, I just want the answer. So the 500i is slower but people love it and it's a great mid point of power and weight.
Have you not ever logged in north east coast? Massachusetts Vermont Maine New Hampshire? We have sugar maple, swamp maple, sycamore, red oak, white oak, black oak, hickory, birch, beech cherry trees. most hard wood in usa is in north eastern usa. Pioneer states vs Californias majority of soft wooded trees.
Got ya. Yeah that 661 might be running a 7 pin and the 500 running an 8, which would also add to the better torque from the 661 and greater speed from the 500 obviously.
How about fuel use? Is the 500i better on fuel economy? My MS661 chews up tree trunks but gulps down fuel. It reminds me of granddad's jokes about early Ford V8s, that could pass everything but a gas station. My MS251C beats down the MS661 in work accomplished, except on the big stuff, where the MS661 rules.
Guys i need help, i have husqvarna 445, and im planing to buy new saw, a lot more powerful. I was looking at husqvarna 592xp and stihl 661. Even do i dont need that powerful saw, i cant stand when i cut tree and here that saw is dieing, then i must pull it up and on and on. I dont have much to do whit it, seasonal firewood, 30 cubic meats,. Complet proces from wood to house. I would appreciate some help. Best regards
Any pro saw will be a world of difference from your 445. Even the 550xp will be a great one for you. 592 and 661 will cut anything out there with ease but you may get fatigued quicker since they are heavy. I’d suggest looking into a 70cc saw. Stihl 400c, 462c or Husqvarna 572xp are all great choices. Thanks for watching and hope this helps!
@@765Guys Thank you my man. It does help a lot. I will take a look. I dont need hugh bar i have 18 inches now, sometimes its a bit short. Thank you again.
If a bark box doesn’t give it more power what’s the point of it? I’ve heard 10% more horse power using one so that would put the 500 at 7.3 horsepower, 6 tenths of a horse is quite a jump.
@@waynejohnson9855 the box it comes in says up to 5%. Point of them, for me is just the sound. But I’m sure the increases flow makes the exhaust gas temperature lower.
na minha maneia de ver e com a experiencia que tenho em lidar com motosserras a 500 i fica muito atras da 661c na qualidade e duração. Alem demais a 500 i gasta mais combustivel .
The failure mode of every single piece of broken power equipment in my life is the carburetor. It's outdated, dumb tech, and eliminating it from cars has made them 100 times more reliable and better. Same with power equipment, EFI all the way.
![RIPSAW Ported STIHL 661 [Westcoast Saw Trim] The Ultimate Chainsaw?](/img/n.gif)
I’ve ran both a decent amount. The 661 i ran wasn’t an M-Tronic, but i tuned it well. The 661 is an absolute torque monster and great for big log after big log. Would be a great choice for milling too. However, i wouldn’t want to run around in the woods all day with it. The 500i’s weight is comparable to most 70cc saws, but the power and high chain speed bring it close to 90cc territory. Just a very well rounded saw. The high rpm’s make it great for limbing and trailblazing almost like how a 60cc saw is. The way i see it, if you’re in the market for a big saw, the 661 is a beast and a must for lots of big ugly stuff. The 500i can handle big ugly stuff too if need be, you just cant push it like the 661. With the 500i, you wont burn yourself out as much being how much lighter and more maneuverable it is. If you already have a 70cc saw, it would make more sense to get the 661. If you’re going up from a 60cc to a bigger saw, the 500i would be a great choice.
I personally own a 500 I,stock a 32 is about it on bar length, the only thing that I changed is the suspension kit from west coast saws, improved the feel a ton
Good video Genin. It just confirms what we pretty much knew anyway. In wood up to say 24" the 500 will keep up with (if not beat) the 661, and when you get into really large logs, the 661 is just a torque monster and the 500 doesn't stand a chance.
Good Morning: Great Review- The bottomline is there all tools- just like adjustable wrenches. There’s different sizes for different jobs. Personally, I cut smaller softwood trees and 50cc and 60cc with 20 inch bars are used most of the time. All it comes to down is the most cost effective and efficient saw for your job.
That’s right, a tool for every job and a tool for everyone. Thanks for watching!
Exactly I agree
Plus add in personal preference. For me 661 all the way I think I will enjoy the sound more and get better arm and core body strength 💪:😅
MS192C, MS241, MS260 20 inch bar for everything else 😅😮😊
Shit I'll get an MS261 too 24 inch bar hot rodded why not you only live once.
I run a 661 Magnum (non mtronic).
After spending the amount of money, the OEM asks for this saws. After 10 years, I would say my 661 would still be running with minimal expenses compared to the other ones.
I have a 500i with a bark box, it is true just noise...untill you add a max flow, that makes all the difference. More air in = more air out.
I've ran both of theses saws several months ago, and came to the same conclusion I own the MS 661 she is a torx monster but my buddies 500i is a screamer great video fellas! Thanks for sharing 👍
I use the 661 for milling. I would not want the 500 for milling at all. I would like to see a comparison with a 661 and a 881. I would love to mill some hickory.
I have an 881 and you can lean on a .404 41" bar with all your might and it wont stop. Its not necessarily fast
G'day 765 Guys, They need to inject the 661 then hold on to your hat, Oh the 066 Magnum variant I purchased my first one back in the late 80's or early 90's then another a few years later I still have them and a MS660 the best saws ever made and I'm including my 880 in the mix 👍.
Hey Genin and Aaron. You guys did a great job on the testing. Going by what I've seen on other videos, the 500i works best in big wood and falls flat in small wood. But it seems to me in your video, the 500i is lacking the torque it requires in big wood when dogging. Its great you guys are doing this because it could help someone like myself when ready to move up.
Kenny
Weird combination huh, not great in small wood but doesn’t have great torque with a big bar.. thanks for watching Kenny!
I don't have a ton of time with the 500i, but I have done some cutting with it as you both know. To me, it comes down to economics. For the money, a 462 is cheaper, similar power, and every bit as capable as the 500i. For similar money as the 500i, I can buy a 661 that has more grunt and I believe more capable, especially with bigger bars installed. Not knocking the 500i, to me, the 500i just came into the Stihl lineup in an odd place. It needs to have more power and torque at it's price point or needs to be a few hundred dollars cheaper. I will say this, Stihl has marketed the 500i very well, it got a lot of those 290/390 owners to buy their first pro-saw. Great video fellas.
Absolutely Bob, if you came from a 290 and the only thing you’ve run is a 290 and 500, of course the 500i is going to seem like a god send, but once you try other saws, it doesn’t take long to realize it’s not far off from others. Just comes down to use and how many saws do you want to own.
I agree👍🏻
I love Stihl and have for 40 years but that 290 is the biggest little turd I've ever used@@765Guys
Seems to me like the 462 guys will buy the 661, if you have a 500 won’t need a 661.
In other vids and comments, I've read that the 500i might be technique specific. The fuel injection might be adjusting itself to unloaded running when you pin the throttle just before entering the log and then bog because it wasn't expecting that kind of resistance/ load. If you drag it into the would, sorta mid throttle and then rev up, others have said it won't bog down.
Untested on my end as I've never used a 500i.
Good video! I own both saws and the 500i (79 cc)definitely holds it's own against the 661 (92 cc). I'd like to see what would happen with a 462 in the mix... You might be surprised. Cheers!
Nice Video! In my opinion the 462 is the better 500i, because its so handy, has tourque and its a beast. the 661 has much tourque, you can eaven run an 8t sprocket if you need insane chainspeed. its a traktor and also nice for milling 👌
I run the 462, and it kills my friends 500i
@@nikky3piece452what size bar does your 462 have?
Also what is the bar size on your mates 500?
Ps. I've used both saws and like them both ,alot.
Alot of the pro guys out west that are running 32 and 36 inch bars appear to all have the 500i ported and cut the jug a little or do a base gasket delete in addition to a foam air filter like a max flow or red beard/wcs , and an exhaust like a WCS or Egan and have them recalibrated. I think once all this has been done to the saw its really a great saw. Out of the box??? Yeah the 661 will eat it everytime with 32 or 36 bar. The 28inch bar I think is ideal for the 500i in stock form.
Just my opinion though.
Great video and thanks for doing this test!!
Id like to see the MS462 vs 500i if you can someday! Both with 28" bars
A lot of the guys out west run big bars but cut softwood. This is tough hickory, not an easy cutting wood. Not sure if you saw it or not but the video before this we ran the 462vs500 with 25” bars.
@@765Guys Very good point!! I usually cut oak, poplar, pine....mostly. I do understand that hickory is very hard and tough to cut. Now that you mention it, I did see that video and commented on it too lol, it has the 400C in it aswell. I will watch it again! Thanks!
That was enjoyable. I like buying a piece of equipment that can repair. Basic maintenance at most with the 500i. 661 I could do more to. I don't want to be taking anything to the shop if I can help it. If the 500i as electrical issues I'm sure it's off to the shop
I own both saws the 661 is a monster a little heavy.my 500i is AWESOME both are ported bark box 36 STIHL light bars. BOTH GREAT SAWS STIHL ONLY!☝️☝️☝️☝️
At 36" I think the 500 is over barred. 28 to 32" is more the sweet spot for that saw. Thats enough to keep it from 4 stroking but not so much to kill its torque. But as was shown the 661 is just a monster and can take what ever comes its way. Both great saws.
@@patrickjoy9551 I’ve since had this 500 ported, it loves the 36” now
The muffler change makes difference but even with the bark box the 661 didn’t work as hard to chew that wood out.
do you normally cut like this? 1 handed and rotating around so the bar is near legs?
Nice video. I agree with Bobby! That was a wicked Hickory log. Take care fellas👊🏻
Exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks
Good video. I just picked up a 661 and looking forward to putting it into the wood. Curious how a 661 would do with the next size up sprocket to increase the chain speed some.
You lose torque though
@@joshlower1 I agree but after i have ran my 661, i think it could afford to trade a little torque for a higher chain speed to make the cuts faster.
9:14 how tight is that chain?. sounds crazy tight
Two great saws the 661 is running a28"bar and the two 500i,s on25"bars sthil top preforming tools
661 all day. Go big or go home.
If you're going to port, tune and modify and you'll be carrying the saw through the mountains, I'd take the 500i. You'll spend another 1000 dollars getting all that set up, though.
They are both true bad ass saws. They will smoke anything i have for sure. Id like to see the 660 against the 592
Love my 660 full wrap 28” skip, not sold on the 500i. Maybe if a 700i came out @ the weight of the 660….
I would like to test my sweet 066 against a 500. I run either a 32” cannon or a 36” Stihl bar and it just tears through wood😊
Did you by any chance remove or disengage the RPM limiter on the 500?
@@thejackbancroft7336 never heard of jt
I wouldn't pay that amount on the 500i.
I would buy the 661 hands down.
I've cut with the 500i, in green wood . Runs great. If I wanted a new saw I would buy a 462. just my opinion.
I've ran Husky for years past.
I got a 661 with a 36 inch bar. After running it a couple days I got the 462 with a 25 inch bar. The 661 wore me out running it whereas the 462 i could run all day. Not to mention how much the 661 guzzles fuel. Im looking at a 500i now
I had to come to the comments section to get the summary because I'm not actually interested in watching 13 minutes of the video, I just want the answer. So the 500i is slower but people love it and it's a great mid point of power and weight.
if you are just firewood guys, why the west coast dogs? there not needed for east coast thin bark trees and you give up cut capacity
because looks
Have you not ever logged in north east coast? Massachusetts Vermont Maine New Hampshire? We have sugar maple, swamp maple, sycamore, red oak, white oak, black oak, hickory, birch, beech cherry trees. most hard wood in usa is in north eastern usa. Pioneer states vs Californias majority of soft wooded trees.
@@justinc.6339 I live in western NY so yes we have the same trees here that you have there
A long bar will save your back and I live on the west coast in the north end of California and 661 is my saw of choice 😎👍
Were they both running the same pin sprocket?
Not sure, they were both running whatever comes stock.
Got ya. Yeah that 661 might be running a 7 pin and the 500 running an 8, which would also add to the better torque from the 661 and greater speed from the 500 obviously.
They are both the 7 pin factory sprocket
Got a 500i but the 660/661 is in a different league. The latter has more cc but unfortunately old school anti-vib tech.
hi there nice show , i have a 660 runs good , john
Hi boys! Depends what your cutting. 661 is pretty awesome though…
You got that right!
How about fuel use? Is the 500i better on fuel economy? My MS661 chews up tree trunks but gulps down fuel. It reminds me of granddad's jokes about early Ford V8s, that could pass everything but a gas station. My MS251C beats down the MS661 in work accomplished, except on the big stuff, where the MS661 rules.
Who makes those dogs?
@@brokenbstring west coast saw
The ms 661 has a Bit more power. But The ms500i Looks Like a Hulk saw. The more he cuts, the more aggressive and faster he becomes. ( with Bark box )
Guys i need help, i have husqvarna 445, and im planing to buy new saw, a lot more powerful. I was looking at husqvarna 592xp and stihl 661. Even do i dont need that powerful saw, i cant stand when i cut tree and here that saw is dieing, then i must pull it up and on and on. I dont have much to do whit it, seasonal firewood, 30 cubic meats,. Complet proces from wood to house. I would appreciate some help. Best regards
Any pro saw will be a world of difference from your 445. Even the 550xp will be a great one for you. 592 and 661 will cut anything out there with ease but you may get fatigued quicker since they are heavy. I’d suggest looking into a 70cc saw. Stihl 400c, 462c or Husqvarna 572xp are all great choices. Thanks for watching and hope this helps!
@@765Guys Thank you my man. It does help a lot. I will take a look. I dont need hugh bar i have 18 inches now, sometimes its a bit short. Thank you again.
You guys need to have those saws ported they both are slow and gutless
Yes they are painfull to run.
Why the hell would you do a comparison with 2 bars that different in length? Everything is going to change!🤔🤨🤯
Evening , both of those saw are super nice . Thanks for the review on them !!! 👍🏻🪵🇺🇸
They are!
Too bad you didn’t have the ported Makita 7900 so you could really cut lol.
Yeah, shame we don’t have any Makita saws
@@765Guys it’s a shame they discontinued the gas line and only kept the battery powered saws.
So makita buys dolmar, and they don’t make any more gas saws?
If a bark box doesn’t give it more power what’s the point of it? I’ve heard 10% more horse power using one so that would put the 500 at 7.3 horsepower, 6 tenths of a horse is quite a jump.
@@waynejohnson9855 the box it comes in says up to 5%. Point of them, for me is just the sound. But I’m sure the increases flow makes the exhaust gas temperature lower.
torque beats chain speed , at the end of a long day, in bigger wood
Sthil needs to come out with a 600i and replace the 500i
Come on guy it's time to get the ole 95 out n show wat a big saws meant to do
There no replacement for displacement... 661 all day...
na minha maneia de ver e com a experiencia que tenho em lidar com motosserras a 500 i fica muito atras da 661c na qualidade e duração. Alem demais a 500 i gasta mais combustivel .
I’m not sold on the 500… Great job guys👍💪👍
You and me both, good saw but what I’ve experienced, it doesn’t live up the massive hype other channels talk it up to.
Other than the insane throttle response of the 500, it is just like a dolmar 7900 which was released 20 years ago
Guys the 661 is 10 plus CC’s more than the 500 I will take the 500 all day because at the end of the day 3 pounds is a lot
661 is superior
Lmao wow Stihl are so weak a 395 would never stall out like that
The failure mode of every single piece of broken power equipment in my life is the carburetor. It's outdated, dumb tech, and eliminating it from cars has made them 100 times more reliable and better. Same with power equipment, EFI all the way.