Well I can tell you one thing! My echo cs800p with a 32 inch bar weighs in right at 25 lb. And it is very nose heavy. I put a 28 inch bar on it. It balanced at all very well. Here in Ohio. 24-in bar is about all you need. My echo 7310 p came with a 28 inch bar. Two nose heavy. I put a 24 inch on it good balance.
Not a 500 fan, nothing wrong with it, I just wanted the cubes of the 661 for stumps and milling slabs with the option to pull a 36 or bigger without wearing it out. I run a 28 inch lightweight on it now and it balances perfectly. Can’t stand nose heavy or tail heavy saws. 661 has been great for processing big rounds of firewood too. Both are great for what they do, but the 661 is for me.
Thanks for the in depth review. I have a potential huge job coming up with huge pine tress that have a 28" diameter for the area that I am in. My Echo 620PW with 27" bars is a good saw at 60cc but I really need to upgrade for this job. I am trying to decide between the 500i or 661 and its been a struggle. I want to run a 32" or 36" bar on it and based on your comments I am thinking the 661. Thoughts or feedback?
I guess its all in what u want not all of them prefer it i know a bunch that if u ask they rather run something else that tells me u dont know as much as u think 👍
Depends on what u like torq or lightness the 500 is way lighter and the 661 will out torq it but if your just an average cutter the 500 is pretty close and it balances out if u run a shorter bar if u have plans to port it i would pick the 500 they weigh like a 70 cc saw and cut like a 90cc once ported all in all either saw will be a decent saw and it comes down to preference
