Best entry level chainsaw under £200?

[Zombosis]

Howdy Agimos! 
 

Just a quick one to rack your brains and harvest your opinions please?

 

I am contemplating adding a small, cheapish saw to my collection, specifically for pruning task, light tree work on my property and to bridge the gap between my ratchet loppers and my smallest other saw, a Makita / Dolmar DCS4301 at 43cc.

 

Initially I fancied an Echo 2511WES for its diminutive size and low weight. Two things put me off slightly, the £400 cost, and reports on this forum of issues with the smoothness of the chain in wood. Setting my sights a little lower, and slashing the budget required in half left me looking at three ‘big name’ entry level beginner saws all under £200, as listed below:

 

Stihl MS162 @ £155.00

Husqvarna 120 II @ £170

Echo CS-310 ES @ £199

 

and the ‘off brand’ wildcard, in the image of my initial choice, a smaller saw aimed it appears at CS-2511 WES buyers;

 

Mitox 270 CSX @ £199 also.

 

Your thoughts and experience with these saws would be greatly appreciated ladies and gentlemen. 

 

 

 

[Sviatoslav Tulin]

since when echo 2511 is entry level ?

 

[Zombosis]

18 minutes ago, Sviatoslav Tulin said:

since when echo 2511 is entry level ?

 

Please read my full post?

 

I explained that it was an original choice, but for reasons I won’t repeat I decided on something cheaper like and ENTRY LEVEL saw. I included it in the survey in case the answers made a compelling case for spending the extra (double) to avoid making a bad choice with the others. 
 

Got anything constructive to add?

[Sviatoslav Tulin]

23 minutes ago, Zombosis said:

Please read my full post?

 

I explained that it was an original choice, but for reasons I won’t repeat I decided on something cheaper like and ENTRY LEVEL saw. I included it in the survey in case the answers made a compelling case for spending the extra (double) to avoid making a bad choice with the others. 
 

Got anything constructive to add?

KATANABOY !!!!!!!!!!

[HillyJohn]

If you can find the money, the CS-2511 is a much nicer companion, with a better engineered motor. I am surprised how much I've used mine, as it is light so also good for clearing and hedge work. The answer to smooth cutting is Stihl RM chain, as the 3/8ths chain mine came with is more aggressive, lacking "safety bumpers".

If you are not sure, hold the Echo, then the Stihl or Husky, and ask yourself which one you want to spend time with.

[aidank]

Any of those have a decompression valve to make it easier to start 

[Stere]

 

 

4301 is a good small saw the ones listed are not in the same ballpark so id say none of the above

 

Get a battery saw maybe but the decent ones are expensive,,,,,

[spudulike]

25cc needing a decomp valve...blimey, try a 1970s McCulloch!

[Peter 1955]

24 minutes ago, spudulike said:

25cc needing a decomp valve...blimey, try a 1970s McCulloch!

Or the whacking great 70 odd cc Jonsereds which was the first saw we ever bought. We asked the dealer for " a saw that would cut anything we came across " and by heavens, he sold us one! I probably shouldn't admit this here, but the starting procedure was akin to hammer throwing.

You pivoted to the right, threw the saw to the left, and at the vital moment, while the saw in your left hand was heading left, your right hand holding the pull cord went right! 

It could have done with a decomp valve. And a chain brake! In our defence, we knew nothing then. 

Now we know a little.  

[Muddy42]

I've had both Stihl MS162 (or actually 170) and Husqvarna 120s.  I look after my saws so they were kept sharp and air filters cleaned etc. Both worked fine and were light to use, both lasted 4 years or pretty light use. However both eventually lost compression and showed piston scoring. Small saws are hard to overhaul so I sold them as not working on ebay.  However for £160 you cant really go wrong - a professional saw would cost 5 or 6 times the cost.