How do people rate the ECHO top handles?

[Lou Brown]

Thinking of replacing my 201TC with something new, and the echo’s have been top on my list as I’ve heard they’re super lightweight and can be tuned to be proper screamers. 
there’s a CS2511 and a CS362, has anyone used either of these and can confirm if they’re good for medium tree take downs etc? 
 Or any other recommendations? Cheers 

[Mick Dempsey]

The 2511 is the one that people are using most.

 

Stock its a bit boring, opened up its really excellent, if a little loud.

[Tree monkey 1682]

I've two of the two 362tes, from new , bit bulky but OK echo haven't really cottoned of to furthering the machines .

Can't common of echo 2511 have seen local council use them the other day and it did remind me of the stihl 020t .

I've got the mitox clone of the echo 2511 , cheap quick and so far has been good .

Don't like stihl being hit and miss with certain models .

 

[Mark Bolam]

2511 is one of the best purchases I’ve ever made in arb.

Run it on 10” bar (24” if you’re American) and 1/4P and never look back.

[kram]

The CS362, never seen one. I'm sure its a good saw but people only buy the CS2511

 

I have an Echo 2511 and one of the Farmertec clones Joncutter G2511 and its the clone I currently use, so consider that - mine was £92 delivered. If you intend to tune it, the clones have a much simpler exhaust that is easier to do, but all of my saws are as standard. 3/8 full chisel chains are best in my option, and I prefer the mini carving bar, you can do more precise cuts with it.

 

Medium tree take downs? I'd say they run out of power on a 10" cut, they are suited to less. Perfect for most pruning work and limbing smaller removals then swap up to chog the stem.

 

However recently I'd say I have been converted to battery saws for pruning and small work, generally on this work a battery will last ages. The Echo DCS2500T may be worth a look, never used one.

 

I have the Makita UC002, its between the 2511 and my  020T for power, size and weight. My only complaint is the power button location, and that it turns off exactly when you dont want it to when doing awkward positional cuts.

It is a nice saw and excellent value at £220'ish, you can claim a free battery for it until september.

 

I still use the G2511 for smaller work but it would be nice not to need petrol except on bigger jobs.

 

Edited 44 minutes ago by kram

[Mark_Skyland]

Every shop customer has said that the cs2511 is their go to saw. Most bought it for pruning work but then find out they are using it for section fells and the 201 540 gets moved to the back of the queue. As Mr Bolam said get the 10" 1/4" pitch setup or go for the stihl ms151 bar and chain setup.

 

The bigger cs362 is very reliable but it hasnt got the power and speed of the 201 or 540 and it does feel more bulky although it's slightly lighter.

 

[woody paul]

Run a CS362 great saw, bought it when i had trouble with Stihl MS 200T never use 200T much now. When my old boss helped me on job a couple of years ago said I was crawl to it when I double cut a large Horse chestnut limb. 

[MattyF]

2511 for pretty much every thing on 1/4 and 10” bar. Just swap out to a bigger saw when it’s not coping anymore. .

barely ever pick up the 540 or 201 now..probably 4 times in 5 years since using the 2511.

the bigger echo is pretty numb , nothing really appealing about it and the stihl and husky equivalents are better in my opinion. 

[Mark_Skyland]

If echo sorted out the 362 they could take over the top handle saw market.

My guess is that its an emission issue. I dont know how it works but no 25cc machine that i know of has an electronic carb so I presume they can bypass some legislation that the 35/40cc machines cant.