Echo CS-501 Brief Review

s219 · Jan 15, 2017

So every few years I tend to cycle a new saw into my quiver. For a while I have been getting by with an Echo CS-400, Husky 562XP, Stihl 461, and a small top-handle Echo. I also had a Stihl 261 but sold it after getting the Husky 562XP, as the Husky was a lot more saw for only a small increase in size and weight.

Recently, Echo came out with the new CS-501, replacing the CS-500 in their lineup, and it caught my eye. The 501 is more powerful (they say 17% more power than the 500) and has some minor other tweaks like captive bar nuts, de-comp valve, updated case design, etc. Compared to some of it's peers from Stihl and Husky, it's got a much more compact powerhead and handles much better. I was able to get a good deal on the 501 with a 20" bar, so I took the plunge.

I used the 501 for some felling a couple weeks ago and liked it, but this weekend I used it extensively for processing firewood and have been really impressed. It is a very strong saw, much stronger than my Stihl 261 was, and has a noticeably smaller lighter powerhead than the 261 did (Stihl has since updated the 261 to make it a bit lighter). I was bucking 12-18" oak all weekend, and the 501 sailed through it, almost to the point where I think it's abnormally strong for a 50cc saw -- really feels more like a 55-60cc saw. Not once did the saw bog down -- it would load up in the cut and maintain RPM, just like a big saw. Really impressive.

The 501 balances pretty well with a 20" bar, but I ordered an 18" setup as my backup bar/chain, and I suspect it will balance even better. I really like the overall feel and lateral balance of the saw, and it is very enjoyable to use. Vibration isolation is among the best I have experienced on any saw.

Here are a couple pics:

motownbrowne · Jan 16, 2017

Congrats on the new saw. I think you're right about an 18" bar being a better setup for that model. I've always been super impressed with the Echo stuff I've owned. You may already know this, but in the chainsaw communing it's pretty well established that Echo sets their saws very lean from the factory. It's said that a minor muffler mod and removal of the carb limiters is necessary for them to run properly. Only takes a few minutes to pull the carb limiters, which I wouldn't hesitate to do.

Out of curiosity, was your 261 standard carb, or m-tronic? Also, there's a second version of the 261 that's quite a bit lighter and a little more powerful.

s219 · Jan 16, 2017

I know my CS-400 was set very lean, as was my little CS-330T, but the 501 doesn't feel that way. I will give it a little more break-in time and do a brief rev test to see if I can hear a four-stroke warble at full throttle with no load -- that's usually how I judge carb tuning. If I don't get the warble I'll open up the H screw a bit. Unlike the previous two saws, the 501 carb seems to have more range in the adjustment screws, so it may be unnecessary to mess around with the caps for once.

My 261 was first generation without m-tronic, and a very good saw. The new ones have a lighter aluminum handle and a smaller/lighter clutch cover, and that actually caused me some concern -- I always thought that saw could have used a larger clutch cover to pass chips more easily. It may be that the saw passes chips better now because the clutch cover is shorter -- hard to say. It's definitely more constricted at the top. But I was sort of scratching my head when I saw the puny clutch cover on the new saw. If you look at the side profile pictures on the Stihl website, you can see how much less coverage it offers on the bottom -- can see through to the lower case of the saw more clearly now. I think that's where they found a lot of the weight savings, but has me wondering what the point of a clutch cover is.....

arrow · Mar 18, 2017

Careful there S. I had the "chainsaw fever" after I stopped logging. At one time I owned 20-25 of them. I'd hardly use em and then I'd sell them. Just had to see how they were. I was like a drunken sailor going through a bar room full of women.
To this day I get the eery -jeebies when i walk into the local chainsaw guy. If I weren't married, I'd buy the entire wall of them.

s219 · Mar 19, 2017

I was the same way but settled down in recent years after realizing I was spending way too much time maintaining saws, sharpening chains, etc. But I am slowly creeping back up -- have six saws now. Any more than this and I may have to admit I have a problem again....

Jw5875 · Mar 19, 2017

My chain saw and wife are both loud, but I understand my chainsaw!!!!!!!!!!

(Ducking if she reads this)

JW5875

arrow · Mar 19, 2017

Jw5875 said:
My chain saw and wife are both loud, but I understand my chainsaw!!!!!!!!!!

(Ducking if she reads this)

JW5875

Another thing they have in common is that they both can inflict disastrous wounds if not handled correctly.

Jw5875 · Mar 19, 2017

And that is not provided in the use brochure that should be given at marriage day for men, of course it would be at 400 pages long with the first 390 describing "Safe Use".

JW5875

Sonny580 · Mar 22, 2017

You guys are good!!! LOL!!! thanks; sonny580

EddieWalker · Mar 22, 2017

Good review, thanks for posting it. I have three Stihl chainsaws and I consider them to be good saws, but I also have one Echo chain saw, and it's a lot easier to start then the others, and like you said in your review, it just seems to handle better. I also have an Echo weed eater that has really impressed me. For less money, you get the same power as Stihl with easier starting. My next saw will be an Echo.

houser52 · Apr 4, 2017

s219- Any updates on your new CS-501? It's been awhile since you posted the review. I wanted to see if you're got to use it anymore and if your opinion has changed.

The reason I'm asking is I'm thinking of getting a saw that's lighter than my Husky 61 and since Echo is running their 20% off sale at my dealer right now, I might have to check one out.

s219 · Apr 5, 2017

I'm still really impressed with the 501 -- very nice saw. I'd jump on one at 20% off!

houser52 · Apr 6, 2017

s219 said:
I'm still really impressed with the 501 -- very nice saw. I'd jump on one at 20% off!

Thanks for the update. Much appreciated.

Rick in MS · Jun 4, 2017

I appreciate this review.

I currently have an Echo CS400 with 18" bar and use it to clear brush and small trees on the property we just bought. Cutting through 6" to 10" oak it slows down but never bogs.

I will need something with a larger bar to tackle some of the other trees on the property. Some of the pines that were taken down by the power company are over 24" in diameter.

Plus hurricane season has just started.

I'm looking at the CS680 with 24" bar.

tjkubota93 · Oct 6, 2017

How does the air filter assy look to you? I had a cs 500p and it was built really good like a old school saw, but the air filter would let fine dust into the carb. I really wanted to like that saw but couldn't handle the poopy filter. If it's better now, I might need one to keep my jonsered 2252 company.

newbury · Oct 6, 2017

s219 said:
I'm still really impressed with the 501 -- very nice saw. I'd jump on one at 20% off!

Do you realize there are a lot of Echo dealers that have a 20% off about yearly?
There's a list Chainsaws, Trimmers, Blowers, Edgers and Outdoor Power Equipment | ECHO USA

I just bought a small Echo "chainsaw on a stick", the Echo PPT 280, with a 17 foot reach.

.

I got it a Dickinson's Equipment, a Kubota and Echo dealer in Fredricksburg, Va. Their official 20% off day is October 14th.

s219 · Oct 7, 2017

tjkubota93 said:
How does the air filter assy look to you? I had a cs 500p and it was built really good like a old school saw, but the air filter would let fine dust into the carb. I really wanted to like that saw but couldn't handle the poopy filter. If it's better now, I might need one to keep my jonsered 2252 company.

I don't think the filter is any different from the 500p (looked the same to me when I was setting up the new saw) but I will check it next time I use the saw, and pull it off to see how well it's working. I really like the legacy Echo models that use an automotive style filter, but all the Shindaiwa-merger-based models like the 500 and 501 seem to be using daintier filters.

s219 · Oct 7, 2017

newbury said:
Do you realize there are a lot of Echo dealers that have a 20% off about yearly?
There's a list Chainsaws, Trimmers, Blowers, Edgers and Outdoor Power Equipment | ECHO USA

I just bought a small Echo "chainsaw on a stick", the Echo PPT 280, with a 17 foot reach.View attachment 523850.

I got it a Dickinson's Equipment, a Kubota and Echo dealer in Fredricksburg, Va. Their official 20% off day is October 14th.

I used to have an Echo dealer right around the corner that did this, and sent me a postcard every year, but sadly they closed early in 2017. None of my other local dealers seem to participate.

s219 · Oct 7, 2017

Here's a pic of the filter -- looks the same as the 500. I do see a little dust getting past the filter where it mounts to the carb inlet. I may try to put some foam there to improve the seal.

TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark · Oct 7, 2017

s219 said:
Here's a pic of the filter -- looks the same as the 500. I do see a little dust getting past the filter where it mounts to the carb inlet. I may try to put some foam there to improve the seal.

I've heard some guys recommend using some grease there to improve the seal, kind of like a gasket sealer, but it doesn't harden.