EGO Chainsaw preliminary review

[319Quahog]

I like Ego tools. For awhile I had both their 650cfm leaf blower and their 18" saw. Both came with the same 5AH battery so that made it even better.

Cut down a few small trees, processed maybe 3 or 4 cords of firewood, and even cut my way home one time when the road was blocked.

Super convenient little saw. Running a saw that quiet is a joy.

I did not like the chain tensioner, but got used to it. The OP has a point with it running a bit slow, but IME that was mainly starting off/throttle response. The battery saw runs a 3/8 LP chain so that helps. Still slower than my 550 XP Mk II though.

Even though I cut down some 12" ish trees with it I probably would not use it for that simply due to the way battery says behave when the battery dies. It stops with no warning--unlike a gas saw which gives you some sputtering. Wouldn't want to be in the middle of a critical cut and the saw just stops.

One key to battery life while processing firewood with it is to let the battery rest. If you just cut, cut, cut, you'll smoke the battery in no time. If you cut, take a breath, take a sip, cut, take a breath, take a sip, etc, the battery will last so much longer.

I eventually gave the saw to my elderly Dad as he's way too old to be pulling on a Stihl starter cord. I still have the Ego leaf blower as it is wicked convenient, but run a pair of gas Husky saws(550 XP Mkii and 572 XP).

 

[etpm]

So far I think my EGO saw is OK but I liked the ergonomics of my friend's smaller Stihl electric better. The Stihl though cannot cut as large of a diameter tree and is slower because of the 1/4 inch pitch chain. I have to say, right now, I like the EGO saw but I would not be surprised if someone else makes a 3/8 pitch 16 inch saw that has better ergonomics. However, since I already have two great EGO weed whackers that use the same expensive battery, the EGO saw is proving to be the best choice for me at this time. I hope my posts help some folks deciding which electric saws to get if they want one. Since batteries are such a huge portion of the purchase price once a person gets one battery powered device they kinda get locked into a certain brand. I think it will be a few more years before batteries are standardized. They are of course filled with standardized cells, it is just the outer packaging and charge controls that need standardizing.
Eric

 

[ultrarunner]

Far as cordless electric chainsaws and other cordless stuff is concerned, I try to avoid them if possible simply because of one, where they are made (China) and two, how the materials for the batteries are produced (slave labor in China).

You all can bury you head in the sand, I don't care actually but always remember where it comes from and how it was made.

Of course the ongoing port strike will severely hamper the import of China made goods anyway.

better get your China made stuff promptly because when it's gone, it's gone.

Me, I'm a patriot and prefer not to buy that stuff anyway, unless there is absolutely no choice.

You might be surprised how much medical equipment is sourced from China...

I guess if they produce desired surgical machines making a chainsaw would be a lot simpler.

I bought 6 new GE anestesia machines and made in China...

It's the machine that the Docs wanted to replace are old Draeger German machines that parts were a problem... like the bellows.

 

[ArlyA]

You might be surprised how much medical equipment is sourced from China...

I guess if they produce desired surgical machines making a chainsaw would be a lot simpler.

I bought 6 new GE anestesia machines and made in China...

It's the machine that the Docs wanted to replace are old Draeger German machines that parts were a problem... like the bellows.

The same people who complain about China built products are buying them left and right.

 

[Torvy]

The China thing has many levels.

Somethings are 100% designed, sourced and made in China by Chinese companies. (In some cases reverse-engineered western design).

Some are built by Chinese labor in China using western designs for western companies, sometimes using western parts.

In-between there are a lot of permutations.

There are many things people think are western that are, in large part, built in China or using assemblies or parts built in China. I prefer to not buy from Chinese companies because they are all, to varying degrees, owned by an oppressive regime than means us ill. That being said, I am also pragmatic. I'm not spend 2X the price for something I need because it has a western label.

 

[5030]

You might be surprised how much medical equipment is sourced from China...

I guess if they produce desired surgical machines making a chainsaw would be a lot simpler.

I bought 6 new GE anestesia machines and made in China...

It's the machine that the Docs wanted to replace are old Draeger German machines that parts were a problem... like the bellows.

I've always maintained that the only thing made in America is babies and they are delivered with Chinese tools... I see Picker is no more as well. When I lived west of Cleveland, many, many years ago, I worked at Picker in Elyria, Ohio Only thing left there is Ridge tool and lots of their stuff is now imported as well.

 

[Yander]

First of all I have not used any other brand of electric chainsaw so I cannot compare to a Stihl or etc. I have 2 EGO weed wackers so I thought I would get their saw because it uses the same batteries. The saw itself is pretty nice and seems to have plenty of power. Changing the chain and tensioning the chain is very easy. No tools required. My saw came with the 5 amp hour battery and this makes the saw a little heavy. The only real problem is the chain that the saw comes with. It is an anti kickback chain and it is useless. It kept getting stuck in the cut on wood that was only 4 inches in diameter. With a 16 inch bar. But when I bought the saw I also bought a 3 pack of extra chains for 30 bucks. I put one of the aftermarket chains on and it cut easily twice as fast. So if you get one of these saws make sure to get better chains for it. Aside from the really crummy stock chain I really like the saw so far. I have made over twenty cuts with the saw and the battery still shows a full charge. I will report back later with more results.
Eric

I have the EGO Saw and my chain has no issues with cutting through pretty large logs. I find it as fast as my gas Stihl. Did you hit some dirt with the chain? That will render it useless until sharpened, have done this many, many, many times.

 

[etpm]

I have the EGO Saw and my chain has no issues with cutting through pretty large logs. I find it as fast as my gas Stihl. Did you hit some dirt with the chain? That will render it useless until sharpened, have done this many, many, many times.

No. I used the chain supplied on the saw and it cut terribly on fresh wood. After I put on an after market chain the cutting performance was great considering the slower chain speed. The supplied chain was visibly different from a normal chain.
Eric

 

[isleview]

I’ve got about a year of use on an 18” Echo DCS-5000 and I really like it.

Like others have said, sharp chains don’t care whether they’re gas or electric powered.

 

[shooterdon]

Last Saturday I bought the crappy 12" -20V Dewalt saw because I already have two of their 5 A-Hr batteries. I had a log with a large crotch that would no fit through my processor. It cut a 10" dia crotch limb in a lot less time than getting out the gas saw, and starting it.

I can carry it in the back of the Mule SxS easily and it takes up less space. Don't need that expensive premix that I use in the gasser.

Anyway, it was $170 out the door and I got a $40 rebate from my electric company. $130 is a bargain. Ordered three chains from Amazon for $13.77 delivered. Not sure if my Vevor sharpener (copy of the Oregon made in China and IIRC recommended by 5030 - who does not buy Chinese crap - LOL) will do a good job on these little chains but will report back.