346xp, ms260 ms200t

chopperboy

Hi Im looking at 3 saws Husky 346xp, Stihl ms260 and ms200t.
Im looking for a saw that will do it all without buying lots of different saws.
I current own a husky 142 small home owner saw for the occasional trimming and small tree work but now have got more work with small 10-14in med density trees so dont need a huge saw. I am looking at these 3 saws to to take down and cleanups on a regular basis so will need to last. I know I should buy more than 1 saw to do the job but wanted some input please.

Any suggestion welcome
Cheers

SawTroll

The 200T is not suited for that kind of work, and the 346xp is a much better saw than the MS260.

chopperboy

Thanks for that, I was leaning toward the 346xp

MrDiesel

I havent used a 260 but i own a 346ne which is a great little saw. Its very solid and robust

Cut4fun

So scare us US guys. What does those saws cost in New Zealand?

chopperboy

In Nz the 346xp costs $1599nz thats about $1120 US.
We get shafted down under

chopperboy

Oh and a ms200t costs about the same $1120 us or $1599 nz

Ouch ouch

windthrown

Yeeeeeeeee Ouch!

SawTroll

If it is a comfort, they cost even more here!

windthrown

In the end, the 361 power heads here were $610 USD new. When I got my first one, they were more like $550. Talk about a rip-off for taxes.

SawTroll

It isn't just about taxes, it is also about how much the brand assumes the market will accept!

Jed

Wow, about 500 bucks here. 346xp all the way!

rbtree

I'm getting another 346 NE, and it will be woods ported, prolly by the same guy who did my other one, to the tune of a 54% reduction in cut time.

$440, plus $250 for mods.....

I might be coaxed into shipping one, ported or not....

__________________
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kel

Went in yesterday all cashed up to get the groundie a new MS260. $1200 She agreed she can get a few hours out of 360.

MS 390 (Denmark)

agree totally

__________________
Best regards Jan

Stay Sharp....

My Saws: STIHL 046,MS361,MS200,MS192T

chopperboy

Whats a 346xp worth in the states?

Cut4fun

I was buying mine for 1st one winter time $395 and 2nd one spring was $415 PHO before taxes of 7%.

I still dont know what the difference is. But I like the feel and balance of the 45cc 346xp better then the 50cc 346xp. I'm just going to put a 50cc top on the 45cc crankcases next time around.

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chopperboy

I didn't notice the weight balance when I was in the shop last time. I must have another look at it and see. I do like a balanced saw when floating in a tree.

Cut4fun

The NE gained weight compared to the OE and the plastic feels on the newer ones like brittle cheap feeling JMO.

Just checked, the NE 346xp weighs the same as the Redmax 5000 PHO 11lbs - 11.2lbs. The OE 346 weighs the same as the stihl 026 - 260 models PHO 10.6lbs.

SawTroll

The OE/45cc one sure is a bit lighter than the NE/50cc one - but I have not notised any difference in the plastic.

Cut4fun

The top cylinder cover is different more brittle plastic and the primer bulb on NE ones

I traded the 2 brand new NE ones off and going to kept the OE ones and put 50cc top ends on them down the road as needed. The NE is a great saw, but if you own a OE you have a better package with a 50cc top on it later. JMO.

KevinE

I own both a 260 & a 346 OE, there is no comparison; the 346 is a far better saw! I don't own a 200T (YET!)

Bluegill

I know, old thread, but I got say something. I have an old 346xp, bought new in 2001 and a new 346xp bought new in 2010. I do like the old one a bit better, but there is no difference in the plastic, that I can tell. Other than the new one is shiny and more orange. The new one is also a bit stronger in power. Both great saws!!!