20 in. 50.2 cc Gas 2-Stroke Cycle Chainsaw

So after doing a little research I decided to give Echo saws a try. The 490 is a beast. I cut almost 2 tri-axle loads of firewood and only sharpened the chain once. Read the start up instructions prior running it the first time. Echo has come a long way and I wouldn’t think twice about buying another Echo saw.

This saw is amazing. Cuts through the trees with ease. This has made work around the new house a breeze. I definitely recommend this to any home owner wanting a saw to do your own work.

Great saw. I've been buying junky $150 chainsaws every few years so I decided to go a bit better quality this time around. I'm glad I did. I've cut a bunch of big walnut, mulberry and cherry trees, limbed them all, bucked them up and the saw did fantastic. It came with the recommended Oregon chain, as well - and still very sharp after 3 days of constant cutting. It takes a bunch of pulls to get gas into the carb when first starting it up, but I've had no problem with it firing right up after that initial first crank. Buy it, you won't be sorry.

Great saw easy to start runs well little rich from factory but overall perfect

Great product. Cut through very large trees very easily. Couldn't be happier with it's performance.

Overall, the Echo CS-490 is an excellent chainsaw for the price, and a significant step up from the CS-400. The build quality is immediately apparent, with actual magnesium at the working end of the power-head, metal bucking spikes, and a clutch-driven chain-oiler. It qualifies as at least a "pro-sumer" grade chainsaw. I bought mine with a 20" bar, since that's what's carried in-store. However, I went ahead and swapped on an 18" Oregon 180VXLGK216 bar and more aggressive 20LPX072G chain. At just 50cc, it is possible to bog the saw intentionally, but it cuts surprisingly fast, well, and easily. It's also impressively light-weight which makes it easy to move around and to use in tighter spaces. My one significant caveat regarding the saw has nothing to due with Echo. Rather, it's that EPA emission requirements force manufacturers to render carburetors virtually non-adjustable. I live at high-altitude, about 6,300 feet, and initially starting the saw cold required treating it as though I was clearing a flood. NO choke, throttle wide open, and it started easily on the second pull! I suspect that anyone not realizing that the choke would simply flood the engine at altitude would have returned the saw as un-startable. Echo's manual states that operation above 1,100-feet requires carburetor readjustment by a technician... and my saw definitely needed some adjustment in order to start and idle properly, respond quickly, and to run well at high-RPM. There is a fairly simple way around this, but be forewarned that it will void your warranty. But properly adjusted, the saw is a definite "keeper". As a last note for anyone unfamiliar with 2-stroke engines, I strongly advise against using automotive fuel as the added ethanol absorbs water and does all kinds of nasty things to the engine and carburetor. Home Depot carries several good 50:1, non-ethanol, high-octane premixes, including Echo's own "Red Armor". After your saw has spent a season stored, you'll greatly appreciate the investment in proper fuel.

Excellent value. Echo saws are the best bang for the buck out there. Comparable Stihl or Husqvarna saws are $50 to $100 more. You get a near professional level saw at a consumer saw price. My only issue is the packaging. The saw arrived with the lid to the oil bottle crushed. The contents inside the box were soaked in oil.

as a landscaper i have gone through my share of chainsaws, after getting this one i'll never go back! its so easy to use and clean, plus, it cuts through massive logs in seconds!! i was able to turn an old tree trunk into firewood, in two minutes flat. when it comes to chainsaws, never save money, either go big or go back to the store to return your trash!!

I had previously owned a Poulan Pro 18 inch chain saw that was so difficult to keep running that I found it dangerous. I decided it was time to upgrade and read the reviews about this echo and since I had some HD gift cards, I decided this would be the one. I get it home and attempt to start the chain saw and it would start. I figured after a little time, I'd flooded it so I let it sit a bit. Later on that day, I tried again. Same result. So I taped the throttle trigger down to let in additional air and get rid of the excess fuel and tried starting it. Bam came right on. I adjusted the screw that controls the idle a little and it starts up perfectly now. I noticed a couple other reviews with this issue and that they took them to a repair store. Hoping this review saves some people some money and frustration. The idle comes completely screwed out, so just give it a couple turns with a screw driver and you are good to go.

Started right up - just follow the instructions. Good power, good weight, good balance. Watch some videos online comparing it to Stihl and you will find this to be a great buy for your average - non commercial use - homeowner. I love it - money well spent! I wish it came with a case, but you can buy that separate if you like.