Thank you for breaking this down into the important details that matter. Too many clowns out there slicing discs off a firewood chunk and saying saw x is better than saw y because it cuts 6% faster. Stay safe Joe and lets see more content like this.
Within my stable of chainsaws I have the Stihl MSA 220TC and the Husqvarna T540iXP which is the precursor of the Husqvarna T542iXP. For the record I have seven Stihl saws, one Husqvarna and one Echo. I concur with the videos findings as my preference leans towards the Husqvarna for this particular application. The only comment which needs to be added is the ergonomics of the Husqvarna while in the tree is preferable and in my experience much easier to use.
I own both of these saws. Per manufacturers recommendation the Stihl 220TC is supposed to be used with the 300-S battery as a minimum. Performance is much better with the 300-S and for bigger wood up in the tree the 500-S battery really lets the Stihl’s 1700 watt motor cut with torque. I also have the gas powered equivalent in the brands above. These two battery saws are very impressive when used with the better correct batteries that can handle the larger amperage surge in bigger wood. In summary the Stihl 300 battery is too small for this saw and performance suffers. Speaking from experience as well.
Over the past century, this is a debate that continues, brands vanished (good & poor). I await the review. Before I start, I WANT a wrap-around handle, regardless the saw (battery, corded, gas), or size. Stuck with you to the end. Good review, frank, unbiased, worthy. Thanks
Did you look at Echo? Great gas saws often overlooked imho however not sure on their electrics. Back when I was on lawn crews we had echo trimmers and blowers and those things would take tumbles off trailers, neglected maintenance, get thrown around and it was amazing how those things still somehow functioned. I have an Echo CS-355T and that’s like swinging a mini light saber in the tree…lol
You know you can thumb the safety button after the trigger lockout's been depressed, right? Also, no 1/4"P for me. Duromatic (Carbide) chains aren't available in a 1/4" pitch. That's what kept me (along with the questionable ergonomics) away from the MSA 161T. There's nothing wrong with having options though, as long as they introduced an alternative sprocket.
How is the weight of the Husqvarna vs the Stihl? Which one is heavier overall? Which one feel better in actual usage/cutting/ day to day? Did you still feel the same after a month or so of usage for the husky?
The Husqvarna and Stihl "feel" like the same weight. The balance is pretty similar. A complaint is that the husky doesn't hang quite right it sticks out a little. After using the T542i since June, this is definitely my recommendation.
I wonder which one will do better? Also, the hardware store informs me that there is a deal going on right now with Milwaukee forge batteries. buy a 12 forge, get a 8 for free. $249
I have a Husqvarna Rancher 20" gas, Makita 16" electric, 10" Milwaukee 18V pole saw and a DeWalt 12" 20V. Where possible (not all that often) I prefer the electric Makita. So light & maneuverable and quiet, but I am limited to 150' radius using 10ga cords or my generator for better distance. The DeWalt is handy, but leaks bar-oil worse than any saw I have or ever had. It's so bad I drain it every time I put it away, even if only a day. Even at that, I have to store it on a cookie tray for the residual dripping. It's great for limbing & cutting small trees, but a real PITA regarding costly, wasted, messy oil. Also I had to return for exchange 1 of my 3 batteries that wouldn't properly charge.
Nice vid! Some what facinating how different people feels about the controls 🙂, in my opinion Stihl triggers dont have any feel to it. Plastic and binary (only on/off). I dont know but I think that the clutch must be helpful if you restart the cut with the chain against the wood, and in cold climate when the chain oil is cold/slow and the bar and chain is icy. When clearing snowmobile paths both a Makita and Stihl battery chainsaw didn´t want to spin the chain after a while. To high amps to make it spin, with a little start assistance they could still cut.
This is very thorough and a good resource for someone considering these saws.
Thank you for breaking this down into the important details that matter. Too many clowns out there slicing discs off a firewood chunk and saying saw x is better than saw y because it cuts 6% faster. Stay safe Joe and lets see more content like this.
I'm glad you found this helpful. Thank you for the kind words.
Great comparison. I'm a Stihl guy, but I think I'd have to go with the Husky between these two.
That would be a good choice.
Within my stable of chainsaws I have the Stihl MSA 220TC and the Husqvarna T540iXP which is the precursor of the Husqvarna T542iXP. For the record I have seven Stihl saws, one Husqvarna and one Echo. I concur with the videos findings as my preference leans towards the Husqvarna for this particular application. The only comment which needs to be added is the ergonomics of the Husqvarna while in the tree is preferable and in my experience much easier to use.
@@JohnWoodbury-xk2cb Thanks! And that is a good point.
Good review buddy
@@Entreepreneurs Thanks. I'm glad you found it helpful.
I own both of these saws. Per manufacturers recommendation the Stihl 220TC is supposed to be used with the 300-S battery as a minimum. Performance is much better with the 300-S and for bigger wood up in the tree the 500-S battery really lets the Stihl’s 1700 watt motor cut with torque. I also have the gas powered equivalent in the brands above. These two battery saws are very impressive when used with the better correct batteries that can handle the larger amperage surge in bigger wood. In summary the Stihl 300 battery is too small for this saw and performance suffers. Speaking from experience as well.
Hi, I've got the Stihl and 100% agree regarding using the AP500s battery... which saw is more powerful when best batteries are used?
Over the past century, this is a debate that continues, brands vanished (good & poor). I await the review. Before I start, I WANT a wrap-around handle, regardless the saw (battery, corded, gas), or size.
Stuck with you to the end. Good review, frank, unbiased, worthy. Thanks
We appreciate the comments. There are definitely times I wish the top handle had a wrap around.
@@LumberJoe-x2q YEAH! why hasn't the wrap around handle on the top handle saw been done yet?!?!? ill pass it along to the reps.
I 100% agree with everything you said for me if the STIHL would just fixes the power button to stay on longer it would be great
It makes me wonder when they will bring out the next model. It seems like others are feeling the same way.
Did you look at Echo? Great gas saws often overlooked imho however not sure on their electrics. Back when I was on lawn crews we had echo trimmers and blowers and those things would take tumbles off trailers, neglected maintenance, get thrown around and it was amazing how those things still somehow functioned.
I have an Echo CS-355T and that’s like swinging a mini light saber in the tree…lol
@@bto52_ I keep reading great things about the Echo Timberwolf. I will definitely look at these for my next saw. -Lancer
You know you can thumb the safety button after the trigger lockout's been depressed, right?
Also, no 1/4"P for me.
Duromatic (Carbide) chains aren't available in a 1/4" pitch.
That's what kept me (along with the questionable ergonomics) away from the MSA 161T.
There's nothing wrong with having options though, as long as they introduced an alternative sprocket.
How is the weight of the Husqvarna vs the Stihl? Which one is heavier overall? Which one feel better in actual usage/cutting/ day to day? Did you still feel the same after a month or so of usage for the husky?
The Husqvarna and Stihl "feel" like the same weight. The balance is pretty similar. A complaint is that the husky doesn't hang quite right it sticks out a little. After using the T542i since June, this is definitely my recommendation.
We have a short being posted in a couple days that show the Husky outperforming the Milwaukee top handle.
@@LumberJoe-x2q sweet. Looking forward to checking it out.
I wonder which one will do better? Also, the hardware store informs me that there is a deal going on right now with Milwaukee forge batteries. buy a 12 forge, get a 8 for free. $249
I have a Husqvarna Rancher 20" gas, Makita 16" electric, 10" Milwaukee 18V pole saw and a DeWalt 12" 20V. Where possible (not all that often) I prefer the electric Makita. So light & maneuverable and quiet, but I am limited to 150' radius using 10ga cords or my generator for better distance. The DeWalt is handy, but leaks bar-oil worse than any saw I have or ever had. It's so bad I drain it every time I put it away, even if only a day. Even at that, I have to store it on a cookie tray for the residual dripping. It's great for limbing & cutting small trees, but a real PITA regarding costly, wasted, messy oil. Also I had to return for exchange 1 of my 3 batteries that wouldn't properly charge.
I ran a corded saw around the house and enjoyed using it. My number 1 thing I need from a chainsaw is that it starts and runs easily.
Nice vid!
Some what facinating how different people feels about the controls 🙂, in my opinion Stihl triggers dont have any feel to it. Plastic and binary (only on/off).
I dont know but I think that the clutch must be helpful if you restart the cut with the chain against the wood, and in cold climate when the chain oil is cold/slow and the bar and chain is icy.
When clearing snowmobile paths both a Makita and Stihl battery chainsaw didn´t want to spin the chain after a while. To high amps to make it spin, with a little start assistance they could still cut.
That's really interesting. I don't know how this saw will operate in the cold. We're in Minnesota so we might find out.
Do you agree with Joe? What did we get wrong?
Thr Dewalt 60v top handle has a 3 speed "variable" trigger and I like that a lot about it. I honestly think Dewalt makes the best electric top handle.