Customer Reviews for ECHO 18 in. 50.2 cc Gas 2-Stroke X Series Rear Handle Chainsaw

I purchases the Echo 501p after spending much time studying the different saws available- Stihl, Husky, and Echo. I have two Stihl chainsaws and two trimmers and have not been completely pleased with reliability of them, having issues with starting them at times and other odd issues. They have not been bad but I have been far from pleased. I always use top grade fuel and oil. I have had an Echo blower for about 18 years that I have used almost weekly around my house, and it has never failed to start when I pick it up. So I thought I would give Echo a good look as well. I originally looked at the larger Echo 590 but decided to go with the professional lighter weight 501p, even though it cost about $60 more. I have used it for a couple hours on two separate jobs around the farm and I have seen nothing I didn’t feel this saw was capable of doing. Unbelievable torque and power for its weight. I have a 20” bar, but the saw easily and efficiently cutt through The largest logs I could use it on, working on several recently downed hardwood and pine trees with much larger diameter than the bar length. No problem, I just cut from both sides. I later worked on cutting up a sweet gum tree stump about 3 feet across by using several cross cuts. Very impressed with the low vibration in a job like that. You just lay into what your cutting and let the saw do the work. This has been a major upgrade from my Stihl MS250, which I have had 2 of in the past 15 years. I feel exhausted after cutting with the MS250, because I didn’t realize how much work I was doing instead of letting a more powerful saw do the work. I would highly recommend the Echo CS501p

Rating provided by a verified purchaser

I've only got 6 tanks through it so it's too early to say anything about longevity, but so far it's been a reliable saw and has an excellent oiler. It's incredibly light, but despite enjoying that feature it really should have been built with a magnesium clutch cover to be considered a pro saw, I hope Echo will consider this in the future. I don't like that the fuel tank pressurizes to the point of making the fuel cap difficult to remove, none of my other saws do this. Additionally, whether I burp the oil tank or not it leaks like a sieve when it's sitting. All things considered, I'm happy with the purchase and will consider other Echo products in the future.

Rating provided by a verified purchaser

This saw weighs about the same as my “other” major brand 35cc saw and has twice the power. The balance is great this combined with a 20” bar works great for limbing and bucking logs. I’ve buried the bar into a fairly hard dried Douglas Fir and just ate wood not bogging. It’s still very new so I don’t have a long term durability opinion yet but the construction and build quality is first class. This saw is worth the extra cost without a doubt. It does the job of at least two saws and with a the bare minimum of plastic components it will age extremely well.

When it's running it runs like a bat out of heck. However, my nearly brand new saw is next to impossible to start after it's been run and sat off for an hour or so. Must remove the plug and wait for a few hours while it airs out. The guide bar's nose sprocket locked up during its 2nd tank of "Red Armor" fuel, necessitating a new guide bar since I was unable to free the sprocket without disassembling or wasting more time on it. Neither problem is something that should have to be dealt with on a saw that hasn't even been through 3 full tanks of fuel. I have not had any of these issues with my box-store PAS-225 power unit or pole saw attachment.

So, to begin with , this is my first Echo product of any kind, I have ever purchased, so I did a lot of research before purchasing this. I have owned many chainsaws however, ranging the gamut from cheapies to higher end Stihls. I have had this saw about 3 weeks or so, and so far, this is one of the nicest saws I've ever owned. It starts easily, and when warmed up, re-starts consistently with 1 pull. Really well balanced, (I opted for the 20" bar ) ,light weight, and man does this thing scream. For it's size, it seemed to have no trouble at all going through the 12-16" diameter trees I was cutting up. A lot of power in a little package. Also as a side note... I had a shipping issue which was no fault of Echo what so ever, but the customer service rep. got my information and more than made things right ,quickly and at no charge to me, which really impressed me. If you're in the market for a 50cc size saw, I think you would be hard pressed to find a better bang for your buck than this one.

I have been an Echo fan for a while and have been so impressed with 620 that I added a 501 to the mix. The 501 has a great power to weight ratio and can handle a surprising amount for it's size. The only that I have been extremely disappointed in is the air filter. When cutting dry wood in dusty conditions it covers the air filter in no time and unfortunately some of that fine saw dust finds it way into the inside of the air filter and down INSIDE the carb! For anyone concerned about the long-term reliability of their saw they should be seriously concerned about the fine stuff getting into the top end of their saws! Surely, Echo engineers could address this and come up with a better filter and/or design!

Great saw, light weight plenty of power starts right up. I do not like the fact that you are limited to only two guide bar choices and limited on chain choice. Other saw manufacturers have many more bar and chain capabilities

I bought this saw for cutting firewood( oak ,hard maple, ironwood) After 30+yrs of using 70cc chainsaws I just got to old, for handling 20lb saws. (Husqvarna 575xp, Partner 7000plus) I have a Echo 4000 that I used for limbing it was light weight but not very powerful. The 501p screams through the wood with high rpm and is even lighter than the 4000. Starts easy, low vibration and is nice and light. Perfect saw if you like your back.

Great power in a small package. Love this saw

My other two saws are Stihl ms362 cm and Stihl ms461. While these saws do have more raw power and cutting speed than the Echo; they do not oil as well. The bar and chain on the Echo is very good and holding up well. No issues with starting the saw warm or cold. Would buy again.

I own a tree felling company and decided to try your 501p. I run a number of your larger saws and wanted to try the 501 for limbing and smaller trees. It's lightweight and revs fast, with lots of power. No complaints and really enjoy running it.

I bought this saw a few months back have used it for everything from cutting fire wood to milling several logs it doesn't miss a beat. I am 50 years old have run every chainsaw under the sun some get the job done and some make the job easier almost fun. I am impressed with not only the power it has but it is quite peppy too! its got many nice features like the see through gas tank, professional grade chain and bar, and pretty comfortable to hang onto it did not take long for it to become an extension to my arm. Its defiantly living up to being a pro saw I have since bought 3 more saws from echo enjoy them all.

I had three tall hickory trees that needed to come down. Went to start a very popular saw that you can buy at any retailer and of course it would not start from last year storage. I was not going to purchase another one of those saws so I did about two weeks of research and it came down in between the echo 501 p or another competitors xp550. Found a local Outdoor Equipment company that carry both name brands compared them both side by side found that the 501p had more power and was lighter then the xp550. Very happy with this purchase I think it will last me a very long time. Needless to say I have firewood for the next few seasons.

I have a cs-400 and love it. But, when working in big timber needed more power. I have ran about 6 gas tanks so far and appreciate the faster cutting. I am rating this saw excellent a little early in part because Echo saws are simply awesome for the money. I buy the tune-up kits and keep all 5 of my Echo saws maintained. This 501P weighs about the same as the cs-400 but has 10 more cc's, plus it comes with a more aggressive chain. It did flood on me once at initial starting but had bounced in a pickup for 5 hours. Leaks a little chain oil while sitting but sometimes that fades away. For my needs this 501P is doing great so far.

I had an echo 4400 chainsaw for almost 20 years. In that time I felled and cut up many large trees. It always started and supplied the power I needed. When it started to fail me I felt it owed me nothing. I immediately ordered a 501p. The 501p is just like the 4400 only more powerful with lots of nice new features. Wow! Does it cut! You can't go wrong with this saw. I also have an Echo 355t which is a very powerful top handled saw for in tree use. I love echo saws. 5 year warranty, you can buy them online, you can work on them yourself and you can buy parts online, unlike Stihl where you have to buy from a dealer and go to a dealer to buy their overpriced parts. YAY! ECHO!!

I wanted a light weight, yet stout saw for most of what I do. Bought a Timberwolf, which is a powerful large saw, but again, weight wears you out in smaller jobs. The CS-501P is very light and yet very powerful. Has larger chain than the CS400, which my father has, and is also a great saw. But this one has more grunt, and still remains light. Highly recommend for heavy homeowner or professional use.

I researched all the top brands and boiled it down to this Echo CS501p. It has what I was looking for, namely,- light weight, very good power for 50cc, build quality including a Pro bar and chain, decompression valve for easy starting, warranty (5yrs) and price. It really makes the chips fly! I should tell you that I own an older 61cc Husqvarna and love it. But I don’t love the weight or the high compression starting. This CS501p checks all my boxes! Great product.

I have always run stihl saws but after reading the reviews on the echo501p I decided o give a try love it so far light and powerful and like the comp reliese

My Echo 550EVL finally wore out after 35 years of use. Normal routine maintenance items (chains, bars, only 2 spark plugs(!), drive sprocket, air filter and chain tightener cover (wore out!). Am a home owner who has burned wood for auxiliary heat for all of those years so have cut my share of cords of wood! Purchased a 501 to replace it. Looking forward for this one to out last me!

Bought this to work on my hunting property for clearing trails and cutting firewood. Great saw. Captured bar nuts are nice. As well as having 2 of them for secure tensioning of the chain instead of the one nut that most cheap saws have now. Starts great. Idles great. Nice power. Can do everything from big to small. I got the 20” bar and happy I did. Nice lightweight saw that is very well balanced. I did a decent amount of research and came to this saw. Very happy. And I’d definitely recommend.

I find this saw to be very powerful with both 16" and 18" bars. It came with an 18" and I bought a 16" bar and chain for a super price. It starts up quick and is very torquey. I have have had the 18" bar barried in a large Oak and it never bogged. It is very light for a 50cc saw. I have several other Echo products and have been very pleased.

I have cut a variety of trees, green and seasoned, 8” to approx 15”, and found my new Echo to be a pleasant little MONSTER!!! Performed GREAT!

Very powerful and only 10 lbs. Been putting it through it's paces and it works perfectly for felling trees and cutting firewood. Home Depot should sell it at list price, but highly recommended.

I wanted to purchase this stuff about 6 months before I actually did. I finally tracked her down at an Echo dealer in Topeka Kansas. The size and credible an 18 inch bar so lightweight with so much power always looking for something cut up. About 8 tanks of gas through it now so I was going to start to get on it a little bit I've been letting it break in

This saw is one of four echos I have, I have multiple sizes for multiple tasks. I used to always use my 370 for doing small jobs but this thing is so light it really has replaced the 370 in my fleet. Like every single echo product I own it starts and runs great every time. Echos have always been known to cut a little slower than the other big brands but this thing flys. Like always, I chose this because every Echo product I own has been stone cold reliable from day one. Never have I replaced an Echo due to being worn out. If you want a fast, easy starting, reliable saw look no further.

works great and does the job

I needed a lighter saw for firewood. Of the three major brands, this is the lightest and best priced professional 50cc saw. The warranty is the longest. My previous saw was 62cc. I am very pleased with the torque and cutting speed the 501p delivers. This saw is 5 lbs lighter than my old one, and allows this old guy to work longer and get more done. Easy starting and great throttle response are a pleasure. It is very high guality machinery. Couldn't be more pleased with my purchase.

I've run just about every saw out there and I used to like both husky and stihl,but after I tried the echo501p,there was absolutely no thought to be made! This is the best saw and I'm sold on the echo brand now...I have multiple ones now and can't be more pleased in every way!these things are sweet!!! Do yourself a favor and get one or a few... You will not regret it...