Thanks for your thoughts on these two great saws. I would think the time to cut test irrelevant unless the two saws were using identical chains and bars, though.
Im not a professional, I've burned firewood, cut alot brush I'd always used Stihl (029 and MS230). I recently needed a new saw and I caught a "Deal" and I got a 545Mkii it seems like a good saw so far.
Both are Excellent saws! I also have both the 545 mark 2 and a 550 xp mark 2. The 545 is easier to start. No more than 3 or 4 pulls tops and both are running every single time. I can absolutely tell a difference between the two, with the 550xp obviously being more powerful and I can hear it when its in the cut, the 550xp never bogs down. The 545 is not far behind but when you run one saw and then switch to the other saw you can fell that extra horsepower. I found my 550xp mk2 on sale($575) which was less than my 545 mk2 ($625) so it was an easy choice to get it. If the price is close 550xp mk2 all the way, it is an excellent chainsaw but if the 545 mk2 is a good bit cheaper or the only one available it is a great saw as well. Both saws represent the upper echelon of the 50cc pro tuned chainsaws available along with a few Stihl saws. Stihl makes some excellent saws as well, but can be a good bit more expensive.
Hello, good review. I see and hear that you saw a lot, the rpm is perfect when you cut. Have 550 XPG first generation, saws 45h/Y so the saw will last my lifetime ;-) Greetings from Sweden.
I use to be a Stihl nut rider until I moved to Alaska and got the 545. I realize the Husqvarna saws are much better in terms of ergos and use. That being said - I still love my Stihl MS261.
Yeah I like like sthil and husqvarna saws. I just picked up another 545 today. It was a Lowes return. I got it for real cheap. It's needs some work . Will be doing a video on it this week. Thanks for watching
I think if you can afford the 550, get the 550. If you can’t justify the extra, get the 545, you won’t be disappointed. I have a 545 Mk1 and a 550XP Mk2. The only reason I have both, is after 8-9yrs. of faultless use, the 545 partially seized but I liked it so much, I had it rebuilt. In the meanwhile, I bought the 550. Have to admit I now use the 550 more often. But if I need lightness, it’s the 545 all the way. Difference in weight: 545 Mk1 = 4.9kg / 10.78LBs and the 550 MK2 = 5.3kg / 11.66LBs. Thoughts on bar length. The 545 Mk1 will live quite happily on 18” but it comes alive on 15” and races on 13”. But fitting 20” onto a 545 Mk1, is pushing the bounds of reality. Note. 545 Mk1 was 2.5kW / 3.35HP 545 Mk2 is now 2.7kW / 3.62HP The 550 Mk2 would take 20” but is best with 18” and races on 15”. Best balance is achieved with a std. 15” bar for the 545 Mk1; and 18” lightweight for the 550 Mk2. Though the 545 Mk2 is now also 5.3kg / 10.78LBs. Over the pond, price for the 545 Mk2 comes standard with 15” bar+chain £519 / $653.22 550 Mk2 with 15” bar+chain £680 / $855.86. Though the 550 is normally sold bare, I included a price with the same setup for cost comparison.
@pauly3473 have you tried other bar lengths on your saw ? I got my 550 from the dealer with a 18" on it. My 545 had a 20" on it but when I replaced the bar I went with a 18 on it as well. It just seems to scream with an 18".
I consider performance mostly identical, so for me it's about ergonomics, feel, smoothness, reliability, balance, etc. The original 550xp has inferior air filtration in terms of the filter and is more susceptible to heat soak. The case and bottom end on the MK II have also been improved and beefed up. Basically, the Mk II addresses all the design issues in the Mk I. If I was going with an older saw I'd probably be looking at the 346xp NE. Light, simple, no autotune, field repairable.
@@oakeymt.outdoors Yeah, they've become hard to find and the prices have been up there. It's a classic saw though. If it wasn't for emissions regulations they probably would have sold them for a while longer in the US. Of course, if you really want a new/nice one- you can import from overseas if you can find the right person on a chainsaw forum.
I’ve seen both saws run one after the other with identical bar and chain. The 550 is slightly faster on average. Not a huge difference between the two performance wise.
Yes I did a update with the saws with the same bar and chain and the 550xp came out on top by a little bit. Both are good saws in my opinion. Thanks for watching
As I understand it, besides power and crankshaft difference, the main difference is how easy they are to start? 545 should have 40% easier pull. Is that something you noticed ?
Yes the start recoil is definitely easier on the 545 because it has spring assist. Some people put the 545 start recoil on the 550xp. In my opinion you really don't need it. The transfers and software tune is different also. Thanks for watching
@@oakeymt.outdoors thanks a lot, that was a quick response 😀. Good idea with switching start recoil, I have a lot of arthritis in my wrist, you see, so if it was up to me, I wanted something I could start with a button.
18" 20" really can't tell a difference. ONLY if you are using the 20 to it's full advantage. If you are bucking 12 inch logs you aren't going to notice anything different between 18 and 20.
Great video my friend. It does look to be very close in all aspects. In fact, on the one time, the 45 seemed to be a shade faster..10.9 was it?? Thanks for your thoughts and time.
Out of the echo husky stihl I personally have two husky’s 5 echoes and only 1 stihl. Stihl is just too expensive. The only stihl I have is the 500i but it’s an absolute monster
