I wanted one of these a couple years ago when the price was around the 1500 mark but the local dealers couldn't get them so I bought a 462 and have been happy with it. Now these things local are 2400.00! I will admit, after using my 462 for about an hour Im almost spent when climbing in and around trees. I un-retired a barely used Husquvarna 350 and that little 50cc saw rips and can cut for a few hours with it.
Beautiful run down. I couldn't agree more with you, but that saw wasn't available for another year, so i bought the 462 ro go with my 261. Can't complain about either. 261 has a 20" bar, and eats hard wood for breakfast, and the 462 has a 32" lightweight, which does exactly what I need with huge trees. Gotta keep the 462 sharp, or it bogs. With a 25", it screams all day. Ive run all of the major brands for 40 years now, and the Germans have won my respect .
I’ve got a 500i and I’ve heard its only flaw, is that the 462 exists. When I was looking for a larger saw, amongst others, the 462 was on the list of possibles. But got knocked off, due to the higher vibration levels. Nearly bought one of the Huskys on my shortlist. But just as I was about to order, a dealer had a sale and offering 25% off all Stihl equipment. Just for ref., I run the 500i on a 25” bar, with full chisel, full comp chain. I also run a Husky 545 Mk1 on 15” bar & 550XP Mk2 on 18”, both with full chisel, full comp chains. I only use the 500i if I know I’ll be cutting 24” dia. stems all day or double bar length dia. For the work it can do in a short amount of time in bigger stuff, the extra fuel used, is sometimes worth the reduction in time. But compared to the small saws, the 500i drinks fuel.
i work for a tree service and the only time i go for are 066 or 660 is when the tree is so big i need a 36 inch bar. even just running a 90cc saw for a little bit gets really tiring especially in the heat. otherwise i normally run a ms460 or the 261. and i can cut down a huge tree with a 25 inch bar especially if you bore into the facecut and cut the guts out from the front u can cut down really big trees with a 25 inch bar. but thats not somthing id reccomend someone whos not ran a saw very much to even attempt.
Have you seen any issues with the stock air filter? I have seen several reviews that thought that the stock air filter needed to be upgraded with an after market one.
this has been the case for Stihl for years... they just have a tendency to pull fines past the filter... maxflow or an egan foam filter system completely fixes the issue
@@OldSchoolMillennial it is a major upgrade, just dont send it to ripsaw. Use a reputable private service, gary buxton, dyno joe, jason egan, Kevin LaVanway, Shaun Carr, Mastermind, Aaron A. Lynch etc.
@@noclass2gun342 I know, i always thought it was interesting that they do these "chainsaw races" with like 20" or 24" bars, as if that really showcases a saws power. The smaller saw is going to win because usually they wind tighter and have higher chain speed. By that logic a 462 is a better saw than an 881. Not so, put a 60" or a 72" bar on a 462 and see how far you get. I think it would be really interesting to take a 462, a 500i, and a 661 and have a 20", 24", 28", 32" and 36" with logs that take up most of the bar, in both hard and soft wood. Time the cuts, and see how they all stack up. Will the 462 beat a 500i and a 661? Likely with a 20" and probably with a 24" bar, depending on the wood. Will the same results be true with a 28 or a 32? Will a 500i beat a 661 with a 36" bar in hard wood? Likely no. These comparisons are nonconclusive, are fun to watch at best. The only way they are conclusive is comparing comparable competitor models (like his video comparing the 550xp to the 261, which actually really surprised me)
If you own the 661, would love your point of view on it compared to the 500i. I ended up purchasing the 661 and I can’t tell you one bad thing about it. Just curious as to what the 500i has over the 661. Always thought of the 661 as a heftier saw.
alot more rpm in a 500i too 661 is a torque monster but is not really needed unless cutting really big wood. i use a 460 unless its a really really big tree and i need a long bar. 660s tire you out really fast especially if its hot outside
I really like my 500i!! Haven't tried a 20 inch bar. I run a 25 light bar!! Thanks for the review!! Stay Hydrated and Have a Safe Day
Thanks, David!
The 500i is definitely on the list of purchases this year. Thanks for the review Glenn.
I wanted one of these a couple years ago when the price was around the 1500 mark but the local dealers couldn't get them so I bought a 462 and have been happy with it. Now these things local are 2400.00! I will admit, after using my 462 for about an hour Im almost spent when climbing in and around trees. I un-retired a barely used Husquvarna 350 and that little 50cc saw rips and can cut for a few hours with it.
Beautiful run down. I couldn't agree more with you, but that saw wasn't available for another year, so i bought the 462 ro go with my 261. Can't complain about either. 261 has a 20" bar, and eats hard wood for breakfast, and the 462 has a 32" lightweight, which does exactly what I need with huge trees. Gotta keep the 462 sharp, or it bogs. With a 25", it screams all day. Ive run all of the major brands for 40 years now, and the Germans have won my respect .
I’ve got a 500i and I’ve heard its only flaw, is that the 462 exists. When I was looking for a larger saw, amongst others, the 462 was on the list of possibles. But got knocked off, due to the higher vibration levels.
Nearly bought one of the Huskys on my shortlist. But just as I was about to order, a dealer had a sale and offering 25% off all Stihl equipment.
Just for ref., I run the 500i on a 25” bar, with full chisel, full comp chain.
I also run a Husky 545 Mk1 on 15” bar & 550XP Mk2 on 18”, both with full chisel, full comp chains.
I only use the 500i if I know I’ll be cutting 24” dia. stems all day or double bar length dia. For the work it can do in a short amount of time in bigger stuff, the extra fuel used, is sometimes worth the reduction in time. But compared to the small saws, the 500i drinks fuel.
Hey Glenn. Very good, honest review from a user.
i work for a tree service and the only time i go for are 066 or 660 is when the tree is so big i need a 36 inch bar. even just running a 90cc saw for a little bit gets really tiring especially in the heat. otherwise i normally run a ms460 or the 261. and i can cut down a huge tree with a 25 inch bar especially if you bore into the facecut and cut the guts out from the front u can cut down really big trees with a 25 inch bar. but thats not somthing id reccomend someone whos not ran a saw very much to even attempt.
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What would you say is the negative part of the saw ???
I love my 500i
Should I mix the petrol with two stroke engine oil for ms 500 i in the same way as I do for 261 c? Should it be at ratio 50:1 for ms 500 i?
I 100% agree with this
Have you seen any issues with the stock air filter? I have seen several reviews that thought that the stock air filter needed to be upgraded with an after market one.
I haven't run into issues with the stock air filter. Mine has run great for me.
this has been the case for Stihl for years... they just have a tendency to pull fines past the filter... maxflow or an egan foam filter system completely fixes the issue
For once somebody wearing PPE equipment
Have you sent your 261 out for porting yet?
Not yet...
@@OldSchoolMillennial it is a major upgrade, just dont send it to ripsaw. Use a reputable private service, gary buxton, dyno joe, jason egan, Kevin LaVanway, Shaun Carr, Mastermind, Aaron A. Lynch etc.
What’s wrong with ripsaw? I’ve heard good things.
It is a very Nice saw but in Canada it's 2000$ ,the husqvarna 562xp mark 2 is 700$ les and those the job as good
Whatever gets the job done!
not even close... one is 79.2 cc and the other is 62 cc... that 562xp isnt gonna pull a 32 or 36" bar
@@noclass2gun342 I know, i always thought it was interesting that they do these "chainsaw races" with like 20" or 24" bars, as if that really showcases a saws power. The smaller saw is going to win because usually they wind tighter and have higher chain speed. By that logic a 462 is a better saw than an 881. Not so, put a 60" or a 72" bar on a 462 and see how far you get. I think it would be really interesting to take a 462, a 500i, and a 661 and have a 20", 24", 28", 32" and 36" with logs that take up most of the bar, in both hard and soft wood. Time the cuts, and see how they all stack up. Will the 462 beat a 500i and a 661? Likely with a 20" and probably with a 24" bar, depending on the wood. Will the same results be true with a 28 or a 32? Will a 500i beat a 661 with a 36" bar in hard wood? Likely no. These comparisons are nonconclusive, are fun to watch at best. The only way they are conclusive is comparing comparable competitor models (like his video comparing the 550xp to the 261, which actually really surprised me)
Ha ha you mark your blocks like me
If you own the 661, would love your point of view on it compared to the 500i.
I ended up purchasing the 661 and I can’t tell you one bad thing about it. Just curious as to what the 500i has over the 661. Always thought of the 661 as a heftier saw.
500i is definitely lighter... a little less power... but pretty comparable for the most part
alot more rpm in a 500i too 661 is a torque monster but is not really needed unless cutting really big wood. i use a 460 unless its a really really big tree and i need a long bar. 660s tire you out really fast especially if its hot outside