Stihl MS170........

weeds · January 30, 2016, 11:34:46 AM

At $299 I'm tempted.......

What other brands should I be considering??

jayray377 · January 30, 2016, 11:50:58 AM

In my opinion none. I have had the previous model for about ten years and it hasn't missed a beat. It is the first thing I pack for camping:)

99 TD5 Disco

scrapsD40 · January 30, 2016, 12:23:36 PM

Quote from: jayray377 on January 30, 2016, 11:50:58 AM
In my opinion none. I have had the previous model for about ten years and it hasn't missed a beat. It is the first thing I pack for camping:)

x2. Mine's been well used and is now my 4wd saw for clearing tracks. The only thing to be aware of is that it uses a micro blade, not standard size blade. No issue for me, I now have 4 blades that I carry and change over as needed.

Streetkid · January 30, 2016, 01:42:19 PM

Have seen the huski 236 for $249 recently. I have a 136 that is the old model and have had a good run over 8 years that I've had it. That said I would buy the Stihl If I had to replace it.

krisandkev · January 30, 2016, 02:02:17 PM

As what others have said. Great chain saw. Ours has not missed a beat and cuts through some amazing sized timber. Easy to start and light to use, not to mention good on fuel and chain oil usage. Kevin

tryagain · January 30, 2016, 02:18:28 PM

Quote from: weeds on January 30, 2016, 11:34:46 AM
At $299 I'm tempted.......

What other brands should I be considering??

Stihl and Husqavarna are the two biggest selling brands for commercial chainsaws last time I saw, but at the entry level some other brands that would be of comparable quality and worth checking out are Echo, Shindaiwa and Tanaka to name a few. Its virtually impossible to get somewhere that stocks multiple brands and can and will give you an honest comparison. Its probably best to go to few different dealers/brands and get them to compare to the next level of saw up in that range to get an honest opinion and understanding of any shortcomings of the saw you are actually looking at, then you can compare between brands. $299 seems a pretty good price for a Stihl chainsaw but they do seem to have a strategy of bringing out some quite cheap entry level products that they have also cut back on the quality compared to their entry level stuff in the past whilst trading on the reputation they have built in with more expensive but better quality products. It also depends on how/what/when you plan to use it.

feisty · January 30, 2016, 02:30:40 PM

After chatting to a ranger who gave the ok for their use in national parks and seeing good reports here I'm seriously thinking of one of those ego battery chainsaws. Depends how much cutting you do i suppose as to whether it would work for you.

Sent from my SM-N920I using Tapatalk

oldmate · January 30, 2016, 04:04:29 PM

My ms170 is great.

discoteddy · January 30, 2016, 05:20:59 PM

We love our little Sthil, punches above her weight and not to heavy to live in the tool box of the Trackabout.

Cheers,

Disco teddy.

KeithB · January 31, 2016, 06:36:50 AM

I bought the EGO late last year and paid extra for the big battery and the fast charger. It wasn't a cheap day out. But the saw will run for 45 minutes on a single charge and takes just 30 minutes to recharge. Plenty of power, no need to carry fuel and very quiet. Seems to cut through anything.

Jason B · January 31, 2016, 06:51:22 AM

I have a very old Stihl 025 that has been a good saw. I wouldn't hesitate in buying the MS170 if I was after a little petrol saw. I now have a wood fire at home so am considering buying another 044 as I loved my previous one.

For camping and getting wood for a fire and the Oz pig, I am seriously considering selling the 025 and buying a Stihl Lithium Ion Battery saw. Everything in my camping set up is Diesel, so I find it a pain to carry fuel. I like the idea of the battery saw and have the ability to charge it when out and about. I think it would do for my needs and the odd bit of track clearing.

Jas

theins · January 31, 2016, 07:21:11 AM

Quote from: krisandkev on January 30, 2016, 02:02:17 PM
As what others have said. Great chain saw. Ours has not missed a beat and cuts through some amazing sized timber. Easy to start and light to use, not to mention good on fuel and chain oil usage. Kevin

X2. Great little saw.

GU Rich · January 31, 2016, 07:26:40 AM

I paid $299 for mine, it also came with a Sthil carry case.

Cheers

AdrianLR · January 31, 2016, 07:26:48 AM

Just bought an MS170 because the 30 year old 010 wouldn't start. Paid more than 299 but still good value I reckon. When I asked the question of the dealer (in East Gippsland who had a large variety of saws and major brands in stock) whether there was any reason to change brands their comment was "none at all". The fact that I could still get parts for the 010 reinforced the solid reputation of Stihl.

achjimmy · January 31, 2016, 08:54:47 AM

I have the MS170 and an entry level huskie/Poulan/Mccolloch (there the same saws) and there is no comparison in quality IMO. Get the stihl while on special but I'd seruiosly consider a battery saw now for our type of camping.

2010banditsa · January 31, 2016, 10:24:41 AM

great saw. ive got the wood boss as well, but find i still use the mini unless i have lots of big ones to cut

Coolblue80 · January 31, 2016, 05:08:16 PM

Where can you get them for $299. In the current catalogue for $379. Knowing Gladstone it will be $479 Including G.S.T. ( Gladstone Sales Tax).
Cheers, Mike.

Streetkid · January 31, 2016, 05:10:52 PM

$299 was the normal price for a couple of years, don't get the sudden price jump, though the whole range seems to have had a price jump.

AdrianLR · January 31, 2016, 05:41:32 PM

I paid $379 in Orbost Vic a few weeks back. They threw in a spare chain.

Mitch92 · January 31, 2016, 06:27:02 PM

Quote from: Coolblue80 on January 31, 2016, 05:08:16 PM
Where can you get them for $299. In the current catalogue for $379. Knowing Gladstone it will be $479 Including G.S.T. ( Gladstone Sales Tax).
Cheers, Mike.

Don't know if he does stihl but try brad at Tannum mower centre, he should give a good deal.

And as for the GLADSTONE tax, it's bull****! Everything is stupid prices

Coolblue80 · January 31, 2016, 06:47:09 PM

Quote from: Mitch92 on January 31, 2016, 06:27:02 PM
Don't know if he does stihl but try brad at Tannum mower centre, he should give a good deal.

And as for the GLADSTONE tax, it's bull****! Everything is stupid prices

Been here 12 years and continually buy stuff out of town or off the net because Gladstone prices are not even in the ball park or they don't stock it and not interested in getting it. Yes I do try locally, but when I'm spending my hard earned dollars I'll go where the price is right.
Cheers, Mike.

weeds · May 29, 2016, 07:45:48 AM

Quote from: weeds on January 30, 2016, 11:34:46 AM
At $299 I'm tempted.......

What other brands should I be considering??

Picked up MS180 $349......on sale at the moment a very good price I reckon and I couldn't resist. Only $50 more than the 170, bigger motor and 16" bar.

Coiled · May 29, 2016, 10:07:54 PM

Don't get me wrong, I have a Stihl 021 and love it! So much so I regularly drool over upgrading to a new MS231. Reality is though that I don't need anything that big and the future especially for us campers ie firewood and track clearing is the battery powered options. No more mixed fuel to carry and far far more discreet.

If interested you can currently get the Kobalt 80V 18in bar (same as Victa) chainsaw with battery & charger from Masters for $224 which is half price.

I am tempted to do this having recently bought the 80V mower and whipper snipper giving me three batteries. This would mean I would have 4 batteries to run the chainsaw if I was heading away before I needed to worry about charging. The power the mower and whipper snipper punch out is easily an equal to the petrols.

https://www.masters.com.au/product/101756069/kobalt-80v-45cm-bar-cordless-chainsaw-battery-charger

EagleBoy · May 30, 2016, 02:09:33 PM

I borrowed an arborist mates Husqvarna battery saw on a recent trip http://www.husqvarna.com/au/products/chainsaws/t536li-xp/966729212/ and it was fantastic. A different price than what the OP is looking at but a great little unit. I can't however justify the $$$'s in getting one when I have relatively new MS170 and MS291 already in the shed.

filcar · May 30, 2016, 03:12:24 PM

Quote from: Coiled on May 29, 2016, 10:07:54 PM

If interested you can currently get the Kobalt 80V 18in bar (same as Victa) chainsaw with battery & charger from Masters for $224 which is half price.

I am tempted to do this having recently bought the 80V mower and whipper snipper giving me three batteries. This would mean I would have 4 batteries to run the chainsaw if I was heading away before I needed to worry about charging. The power the mower and whipper snipper punch out is easily an equal to the petrols.

https://www.masters.com.au/product/101756069/kobalt-80v-45cm-bar-cordless-chainsaw-battery-charger

The Victa uses the same batteries as the Kobalt, and it seems Bunnings are clearing out all their 80v Victa stuff, recently saw the chainsaw skins at $149 with chargers at $49 and batteries at $149 at Bayswater here in Vic. Might be a better option than the Kobalt for you if you can track a skin down.

News:

Stihl MS170........

scrapsD40

theins

AdrianLR

AdrianLR