ms260/261 or other options?

[Eddy_t]

Just did a quick comparison between the 550xp and the 261. Very similar specs so I guess it comes down to user experience?

Has anybody used both??

 

 

I have, I had to use a 261 all bloody week 261 is gutless, heavy and slow, even worse, it was the non m-tronic version! The 550 was (to me) disappointing, it wasn't as aggressive or loud as I expected (being an improvement of the 346xp), this of course is due to the emissions stranglehold.

[markcam]

So neither hit the mark then eddy?

[Eddy_t]

So neither hit the mark then eddy?

 

 

Unfortunately no, but I think my 346 was probably a very good one, it had been bedded in hard, and in the year I had it (damn smack heads), I'd blitzed through hundreds of trees, limbs and any other wood that needed cutting, whereas the 550 was a demo saw, it had low hours and my dealer has a habit of using 25:1 to bed saws in (whichever husky and Stihl staff came up with that need horse whipping). I then tried a 560 and never looked back. IMO you'd need to look far and wide to find a better saw than a 560xp (I currently own a vast array of Stihl and Husqvarna saws, from 346's to an 090!) if I had to pick 4 saws I'd never be without: ms150t, 560xp, 385xp and the 090, I just wish I'd bought the XPG model.

[NFG]

Hi

 

I have old 260 & its fine on 16 but depends what you want it to do, I dont cut as much as some people here but do a reasonable bit.

 

550 & 261 more or less similar cutting speed, 550 maybe a bit faster, holds its revs in the cut better IMO.

 

Just my thoughts as am looking for 50cc saw atm & tried a few, would like 346xp if I can get one as auto tune saws expensive here. 261 has had some issues but hopefully sorted by now.

 

N

Edited February 21, 2015 by NFG

[Tilio-acerion]

260's were good saws, 261 not so. MS 241 with a muffmod will do you nicely.

[NFG]

Hi

 

Yes, 241 is good saw, economical without too much tech, not as much power as its 45 cc I think, nearly bought one a while ago.

 

WYK has one & likes it a lot so he may post reply.

 

 

N

[Mark_Skyland]

I would say that a 550xp brings a smile to more faces than a MS261

 

It probably is the best 50cc saw available ATM.

[jrose]

I have had a 550, now have a 261m and just started a new job where I've been given a 560xp as ground saw.

 

Out of those three, I'd take the 261 for arb work over the huskys, just seems to have more grunt not so revvy.

[AlvinD]

Used 260 for years and loved it. Two 261s in the workplace now and no good reports about them. Been using a 550xp and wouldn't rate it that great! It needs choked even when you set it down for 5 mins.

 

If I had a choice it would definitely be the 241!

[Isabelle68]

I used an 026 with a 13" bar and 325 chain for years and loved it!