Brand showdown: Echo vs. the big names

[sawitcoming]

How does Echo compare to the leading brands when it comes to build quality, reliability, and customer support?

 

[Alan]

Thanks for your post. I took a moment to dig into this for anyone who's curious.

Echo performs well in build quality and durability and it's generally reliable with the right maintenance. However its dealer and service network isn't as extensive as some of the higher-end brands. It’s a good value overall but if fast service is a priority for you be sure to check on local support.

 

[Gee Willikers]

This is undoubtedly true of all service centers. Using my tractor as an example, I may have three local dealerships (of the same brand) near me, but their quality, in terms of knowledge, turnaround time, and friendliness, is incredibly suspect. I must go many miles out of my way to one that I trust.

The distance to local shops is not always a determining factor in my purchasing decisions. Furthermore, a great iron-clad warranty is not particularly helpful when suspect dealerships work diligently to find reasons not to provide warranty work. Like insurance brokers, they have a loss ratio component that affects their bottom line when too many warranty jobs are being billed back to their manufacturers.

So, more shops are not necessarily a reason to select a particular make of saw.

 

[Alan]

Absolutely! Quality service can truly make or break how we feel about ownership. I’ve experienced it too, having one trustworthy dealer is definitely worth more than three local ones that can’t deliver.

 

[Leon Couper]

I have all older models pre 2000 and cannot fault them but not sure on the new ones
have heard the quality is not as good as the older ones.

 

[Rich]

I have 4 Echoes. The new three have 5yr warranties. The local dealer is less than 2 miles from my house. He says he doesn't get a warranty claim a year. I have bad no issues with these saws! I was gifted a CS-4600, I ha e no idea how old it is. It was on my friend's shed for several years before he gave it to me. When he did, he dumped out the dregs that had been in the tank for a long spell. We put in fresh mix & it sta5 in less than 10 pulls! On the flip side, the 4600 is dribbling bar oil every second it runs. Being an Echo once it's warm it starts with one easy pull; cut some wood, shut it off & move wood, cut some more.
Echo machines are solid values! Stihl & Husqvarna make fantastic power saws, no doubt! They also charge Volvo & Mercedes prices. "Good, though!" to quote Roland Barth. I needed a bigger saw a couple of years ago, after some research, for what I was doing, the Echo CS-620P was perfect!
It is really simple, each must decide what is important and act accordingly! Enjoy cutting wood!

 

[Alan]

I have all older models pre 2000 and cannot fault them but not sure on the new ones
have heard the quality is not as good as the older ones.

I've heard the same thing, older models appear to be sturdier while the newer ones often get mixed reviews about their durability.

I have 4 Echoes. The new three have 5yr warranties. The local dealer is less than 2 miles from my house. He says he doesn't get a warranty claim a year. I have bad no issues with these saws! I was gifted a CS-4600, I ha e no idea how old it is. It was on my friend's shed for several years before he gave it to me. When he did, he dumped out the dregs that had been in the tank for a long spell. We put in fresh mix & it sta5 in less than 10 pulls! On the flip side, the 4600 is dribbling bar oil every second it runs. Being an Echo once it's warm it starts with one easy pull; cut some wood, shut it off & move wood, cut some more.
Echo machines are solid values! Stihl & Husqvarna make fantastic power saws, no doubt! They also charge Volvo & Mercedes prices. "Good, though!" to quote Roland Barth. I needed a bigger saw a couple of years ago, after some research, for what I was doing, the Echo CS-620P was perfect!
It is really simple, each must decide what is important and act accordingly! Enjoy cutting wood!

You clearly know your Echo saws well! The reliability, the straightforward starting, and that dealer support really make a big impact. Plus, the CS‑620P looks like it’s a great match for your work!