Echo 680 saw

derek01 · Dec 10, 2011

Am considering buying a echo 680 saw they seem to be competively priced compared to the husky and shihl saws of equal engine size. I have not been able to determine the HP of the saw though. MSRP is 639. I saw about 10 to 12 cord a year. Also wondering where this saw is made the catalog does not say. Is there any other brand I should be looking at. I have a Jon we're that I bought a couple years ago that I am not too happy with starts hard floods easy. Is there anywhere on line or otherwise that these can be purchased at below MSRP? I also have an old husky 61 that is about 10 or 15 years old I am looking for something with more HP to fell and buck. Seems like the echo 680 would be equal to the still 372 or husky 372 right?

Andrewnewy · Dec 10, 2011

Can't comment on this particular saw, but at a place I use to work they ran echo saws and brush cutters, from my experience, they are not even in the same ball park as a sthil or husky, they were always incredibly hard to start, and once you finally got them going always felt underpowered compared to the equivilant sthil that I own. All the components were on the light duty end of the scale, and without fail I would have to repair something every time one got used! To give them there credit they are still going after 10 years, but then my sthil is 25yrs old and is going strong with nothing more than general maintenance!

LD1 · Dec 10, 2011

derek01 said:
Am considering buying a echo 680 saw they seem to be competively priced compared to the husky and shihl saws of equal engine size. I have not been able to determine the HP of the saw though. MSRP is 639. I saw about 10 to 12 cord a year. Also wondering where this saw is made the catalog does not say. Is there any other brand I should be looking at. I have a Jon we're that I bought a couple years ago that I am not too happy with starts hard floods easy. Is there anywhere on line or otherwise that these can be purchased at below MSRP? I also have an old husky 61 that is about 10 or 15 years old I am looking for something with more HP to fell and buck. Seems like the echo 680 would be equal to the still 372 or husky 372 right?

I believe the echo's are japanese saws.

The 680 seems to get pretty good reviews allthough I have not ran one yet.
I do hear that they are typically a little less power than the comparable husky/stihl/dolmar.

Dont get me wrong, the CS680 is a pro grade saw and probabally a pretty decient one for the price. I dont have any facts to verify, just going on what I have heard and read. The echos do seem to give the best warrentys though. 5years for non-commercial use:thumbsup:

And as far as comparisons go, it is unfortunate that they dint list a HP rating, but I would guess it to be in the mid 4's. Stihl (not still) doesnt make a 372. But their 440/441 is close @ 71cc's. But I believe the 441 AND the 372 husky would both eat that cs680 in a race. But you will pay ~$200 more for one of those.

Another good comparison (and in the same price range...maybe a little less) would be the dolmar PS6400. You may want to check and see if you have any dealers in your area and try one of those out. A PS6400 @ 4.8HP is tough to beat in the under 70cc class. They are a little heavier than some, but that is because they are built on the 79cc platform. Which means if you ever have to rebuild, you would have a 79cc saw that is regarded by many as one of the BEST all around firewood saws. And I assure you, I havent ran anything under 80cc that could hang with it. And it will even eat some bigger and heavier saws for lunch

s219 · Dec 10, 2011

For the last 8-10 years, Echo has made excellent saws. I have been playing with a lot of saws lately, and in my experience, the Echos are consistently the easiest starting and most user friendly.

I have an Echo CS-400, which is a homeowner saw, but it has comparable construction to Stihl's mid-grade saws. It has been outstanding -- a real workhorse.

The 680 is one of their pro saws, and has a metal case and good construction. It's also a fairly big saw -- I assume you know you need that much saw for something?

I also have a new Stihl MS-261, a pro saw, and it's pretty awesome. I still give the edge to Echo for user-friendly easy starting though.

BTW, Echos are assembled in the US from US and Japanese parts.

Let me know if you have any other questions about saws.

mrmikey · Dec 11, 2011

I've got an Echo CS370 as well as one of their weedeaters and I wouldn't own anything else, always start 2nd or 3rd pull and more than enough power for my needs. The poor weedeater has been thru **** when I bought this property as I put a bush blade on it and it hasn't failed yet. Mind you I'm just a homeowner and don't use either for a living.....Mike

TCowner · Dec 11, 2011

I have the Echo 670 which preceded the 680 but is essentially the same saw. It is a 67cc saw and has plenty of power. Its been great for the 6 years I've owned it. I replaced the chain bar tension adjuster and that is it. I cut 10-12 cords a year. Mine has the 20" bar but it can easily handle a 24" bar.

I am a big fan of the Echo saws. Earlier this fall I bought a 360T which is a top handle saw and I just picked up a CS-400.

I'm keeping my eye out for an Echo CS8000 which is their biggest saw but they show don't show up very often.

So yeah, In my opinion the Echo 680 would make a great saw for you. I also like their 5 year warranty program.

groundcover · Dec 11, 2011

I also have a CS-670 and am very happy with it. It will out start any Sthil or Husky that I have ever seen, especially after sitting for a bit. The other two will out cut it in production but they seem to do it at a higher rpm. The Echo seems to be a little more low tech / old school but that's ok !

Fixemall · Dec 11, 2011

I have been cutting wood since it was still acceptable for a teacher to use a yardstick as a weapon, in the Echo family I have owned the cs330, 650, 660 and currently have a modified 8000. They are generally slightly heavier than Stihl or Husky but are a well made product. For the volume of cutting that you do I would look to purchase a smaller (50cc) light saw new and then troll the used classifieds at Arborstsite for a used (70+cc) saw for the bigger cuts. A two saw plan would allow you to have an easy on the back new workhorse and a backup with a bigger bar for rough stuff.
Before you buy any chainsaw I would visit the dealers and try them out, most times what "feels" right to one cutter may not agree with the next. Dealer support is also huge for me, if You don't feel comfortable with a long term arrangement with the brand representative, look elsewhere. Ask yourself how this guy will likely react to your saw with a seized up engine nine months from now.

derek01 · Dec 11, 2011

Any thoughts on the echo 680 in comparison to the husqvarna 570 I found the HP of the echo on the UK Webb site it is 4.4 the 570 is 4.9 I have an old husky 61 that is getting a little tired and want to replace it with a little bigger saw.the husky has served me well. the 570 sells for about 640$ the 680 for about the same. the 570 i believe is home owner grade the 680 is supposed to be pro grade. I would tend toward the better built saw over a little HP.

Don1 · Dec 11, 2011

Hi: I've had saw dealerships and done a lot of reparing of numorous brands of saws over the years and still do but only as a hobby as I'm retired now. In our area the most popular makes are husky, stihl and jonsered and in my experiance the easiest to get parts for. My thoughts are that you would be best to stay with one of these brands ,of course the service in your area could be a factor . Which ever your choice, good luck.