stihl 661 v husky 390

[wisecobandit]

Im thinking of treating myself to one or the other for xmas! Don't treat myself to much else so think a new saw maybe in order this year.

 

So we all know the 661 is new out, basically its a bigger version of the 461, its auto tune, doesn't run a mahle cylinder and power figures are 1/2hp down over the 390 (take figures with a pinch of salt tho)

 

Husky more power, uses a "real" carb etc and been around a while so issues have been ironed out.

 

Im swinging towards the husky given theres literally a fiver difference in price.

Now I know the 661 is new out so most wont have ant experience butwho would go for what?

[Stubby]

Im thinking of treating myself to one or the other for xmas! Don't treat myself to much else so think a new saw maybe in order this year.

 

So we all know the 661 is new out, basically its a bigger version of the 461, its auto tune, doesn't run a mahle cylinder and power figures are 1/2hp down over the 390 (take figures with a pinch of salt tho)

 

Husky more power, uses a "real" carb etc and been around a while so issues have been ironed out.

 

Im swinging towards the husky given theres literally a fiver difference in price.

Now I know the 661 is new out so most wont have ant experience butwho would go for what?

 

Can only comment on the 390 as I have one . Very pleased with mine . Had it ported by spud which makes it even better .

[spudulike]

1/2 a horsepower is a lot in saw terms:thumbup:

[wisecobandit]

My sentiments exactly spud. Both figures are manufacturers figures. I'm being led by bad thoughts and wandering if paying 65 more and get a 395 lol but where does it stop if I keep thinking like that. Also I've known a few 461 autotune carbs need replacing. Despite owning both breeds I've always swung the stihl way tho in this instance I'm swayed the other way. I'm not a fan of auto tune saws truth beknown.

[Marty O Hare]

Had a Husky 39O xpg that was stolen, was replaced with a stihl 650.

 

Not impressed with the 650 seems unbalanced, the 390 was probably the best big saw I've used, balanced and plenty power.

[Stubby]

My sentiments exactly spud. Both figures are manufacturers figures. I'm being led by bad thoughts and wandering if paying 65 more and get a 395 lol but where does it stop if I keep thinking like that. Also I've known a few 461 autotune carbs need replacing. Despite owning both breeds I've always swung the stihl way tho in this instance I'm swayed the other way. I'm not a fan of auto tune saws truth beknown.

 

Some hp in your avitar 9630R ?

[Eddy_t]

Im thinking of treating myself to one or the other for xmas! Don't treat myself to much else so think a new saw maybe in order this year.

 

So we all know the 661 is new out, basically its a bigger version of the 461, its auto tune, doesn't run a mahle cylinder and power figures are 1/2hp down over the 390 (take figures with a pinch of salt tho)

 

Husky more power, uses a "real" carb etc and been around a while so issues have been ironed out.

 

Im swinging towards the husky given theres literally a fiver difference in price.

Now I know the 661 is new out so most wont have ant experience butwho would go for what?

 

You're talking about running a normal 2-stroke against a strato engine here, also as husky own the rights to the stihl engine and carb, the power will be down in comparison, husky parts are easier to obtain, you can get all the manuals online, the husky is almost 15 years old in design now, so I think the choice is simple!

 

And the 661 is untried yet

 

 

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[morten]

... power figures are 1/2hp down over the 390 (take figures with a pinch of salt tho)

 

What is your source for "1/2 hp down over the 390"?

 

Manufacturers specs (which I guess is all we have to go by) indicate otherwise:

 

STIHL MS 660: 7.0 bhp

STIHL MS 661: 7.2 bhp

Husqvarna 390 XP: 6.4 bhp

Husqvarna 395 XP: 6.6 bhp

 

And you should take weight (power/weight ratio) into account also.

 

I have compiled manufacturers specs of pro saws in this overview: http://bit.ly/chainsaw-data

[wyk]

The 261 C-M is considerably stronger and more responsive than it's non M-Tronic brethren. I am interested in seeing how it works on the new 661. Also, the 661 is supposed to be lighter and now with spring AV.

[wisecobandit]

Some hp in your avitar 9630R ?

 

Yeah, spot on, 580hp.

 

As you say Wyk the a.v on the stihl wins hands down from what I've read tho truthfully its not an everyday saw so I'm not to worried and eitherway it will beat the 075/076 I use now.

Eddy, I find stihl parts easier and cheaper to get, although being new out et the 661 parts won't be as readily available as the 390 as yet the aftermarket parts.

Figures where taken of my dealers website hence why I mentioned taking with a pinch of saltand you also have to take into account the variants involved so not basing to much on figures.

Also I fear the unknown, the 390 is a good saw and has been around for sometime so it can be bought with some confidence whereas the stihl is unknown within reason. I want to buy it to cut wood and don't want the aggro in unreliability or broken bits like the 550/560xp route