Before you head straight to the big guns of chainsaws such as Stihl and Husqvarna it might pay to give some of the lesser known brands some consideration.

One of these is Poulan who have a solid reputation in the chainsaw market particularly among home users. The price is right for many and if you're just an occasional user then it's probably a little wasteful spending a lot of money on a chainsaw if you're not going to use it regularly.

Poulan Chainsaw Features

There was talk that the Poulan lacks a little in the area of features yet the reality is, if a chainsaw has all the safety features, then any other "bells and whistles" are just icing on the cake. Safety is the number one consideration when looking at a chainsaw and if these features are in place, then you're good to go.

Poulan have a good range from gas powered to electric and in this article, we'll feature three machines worthy of consideration.

Poulan 33cc 14 Inch

The Poulan 33cc chainsaw is priced just right for the occasional user. At about $100, it should fit into most budgets and comes with several features.

The 33cc comes with a 14" steel bar and a one year warranty. One of this Poulan Chainsaw features is it's air filter system which keeps the machine running clean while it's automatic chain oiler keeps the chain performing at optimum levels.

Most users of the Poulan 33cc chainsaw report easy starting however, it also has it's detractors. Some say it's hard to re-start after stalling but this can be related to just about any chainsaw on the market after it's been running for some time.

Poulan 34cc 16 Inch

This is an excellent little machine which packs a powerful punch. The big benefit with the Poulan 34cc chainsaw is it's price. At between $100-$160 it rivals many more expensive models from other brands and it's durability is a big factor.

Easy starting makes it perfect even in cold weather and it's anti-vibration system will protect you against fatigue. In fact, for a small machine, it's quite heavy but one wouldn't know it given the effectiveness of it's anti-vibration system.

If it does have a drawback then it could be a little noisy so ear protection is a must. But overall, the Poulan 34cc chainsaw has to be one of the better value-for-money saws on the market and ideal for use around the yard.

Poulan 3.5HP Electric Chainsaw

The Poulan 3.5HP electric chainsaw is a serious machine. Just because it's electric don't think it should be restricted to trimming hedges. In fact, quite the opposite is true. This saw may not be suitable for light jobs such as hedges but is perfect for small limbs and branches up to 12 inches thick.

It has a 16" bar and automatic oiler which is almost imperative these days and again, the Poulan Chainsaw price is right. For between $70-$110, this machine almost does the work of a gas powered saw without the noise and is regarded as a keeper meaning it rates high on the reliability scale.

While Homelite may not be top of the chainsaw tree they have a special place within the chainsaw market. Homelite have a following made up of many do-it-yourself tradespersons and their products are highly regarded in this niche.

For homeowners looking for a chainsaw with a reliable reputation and one which doesn't mean they have to be a professional woodcutter to operate, Homelite have come to the party.

Chainsaws have become a regular power tool in the backyard of many homes around the world over the past few years and while safety issues are always a concern with those who have little experience in operating them, most homeowners will be well versed in the use of a saw.

Homelite Ranger Chainsaw

So what is available in the Homelite chainsaw range. One of the more popular models for homeowners is the Ranger model. Some of it's features include:

- easy start up with Zip start technology
- It's renowned Safe-T-Tip anti kickback feature
- A reactive chain brake which stops the chain automatically. This is a particularly impressive feature for those part time users

The Ranger model has a 16 inch guide bar, a good size for home use and is ideal for light work including cutting down small trees and clean up.

Homelite Bandit Chainsaw

If you're looking for an even smaller saw then a Homelite chainsaw worth considering is the Bandit. Well named, the Bandit is capable of performing most of the tasks of it's Ranger cousin yet comes with a 14 inch guide bar.

This little machine doesn't "skimp" on power however, you don't want to be tackling big oak trees with it!

Homelite Timberman Chainsaw

The Timberman chainsaw is available with either an 18" or 20" guide bar. It's well suited to larger jobs including large trees and will cut through yard work clean up without too many problems.

It has all the features of it's smaller team mates and also comes with added features including anti vibration. Anti vibration means less stress on the user and the avoidance of quick fatigue.

As far as prices are concerned, a Homelite chainsaw can be picked up for bargains on the internet ranging from just under $100 and upwards.

There are many ways you can get the lowdown on a chainsaw before you decide to grab the wallet and make a purchase.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re reviewing an unknown brand or a major brand, doing a little home work during the pre-buying process could save you some frustration later down the track.

If you’re considering a Husqvarna chainsaw, the same process should apply. Just because Husqvarna has a great name for producing quality chainsaws doesn’t mean you shouldn’t perform a little due diligence on them. This is important when you’re looking for a specific size.

How Authentic Are Reviews?

When searching for reviews of Husqvarna chainsaws bear in mind that simply reading a review won't give you everything you'll need to know.

Reviews are great but in the chainsaw world, it's apparent that "one man's treasure is another man's poison."

Two excellent ways to review a Husqvarna chainsaw is to simply visit an online forum dedicated to power tool users and woodcutters and to actually visit a dealer and take a saw "for a spin."

Online forums have become part and parcel of any product review because the people involved in a forum are there because they have an interest and love the niche their involved with.

It's no different with chainsaw users who love to "chew the fat" and discuss anything related to the world's most dangerous power tool. Bear in mind reviews of Husqvarna chainsaws are numerous and by participating in these forums, you'll get a good cross-section of responses. Simply join, ask a question about the Husqvarna saw you're interested in with reference to it's value for money, reliability, power and safety. Make sure you state the models name.

For example, if you were contemplating purchasing the new Husqvarna 450 e-series chainsaw you would ask questions such as is it worth the price; are there comparable saws on the market for less cost, is it easy to start and is it suitable for non to semi-professionals.

Try the Test Run Method

It's an important aspect of reviews of Husqvarna chainsaws and in fact, many buyers will base their opinion simply on this short demonstration.

A Husqvarna dealer wants to move chainsaws and there wouldn’t be too many arguments in testing one before you make a decision to buy. In fact, this is an important aspect of the review process and it allows you to get a good feel for a machine before buying.

There are some guidelines you should be aware of when checking through reviews of chainsaws. Not all reviews are created equal and in today's online world of high-pressure sales tactics, many reviews are simply a sales pitch by the author.

So who do you trust? Well, deciphering any sense from any chainsaw review, whether it be for Husqvarna, Stihl, Echo, Poulan or any other make of chainsaw, a review needs to be well balanced with reasons for and against.

If you come across a review pumping a saw to "high heaven" then this should set ff a red flag. A review which lists the pros and cons of a chainsaw is more natural because let's face it, not all machines are perfect. For example, one saw may be the ants pants for one user but may have a peculiarity associated with it which may influence another user's decision to buy.

3 Tips For Prospective Chainsaw Buyers

Here's a few suggestions you could adopt before making a decision to buy your chainsaw:

- Obviously look for written reviews online. As mentioned above, the review needs to be well balanced and should not simply be benefit, benefit, benefit. This sounds too much like a sales pitch.

- Visit online forums. There are several good forums you could visit for either advice or confirmation on any brand or size of chainsaw. Do a search for chainsaw, woodcutters or power tool forums.

- One of the best reviews of chainsaws you could get is one you conduct yourself. In other words, head to a dealer and test out a machine before you buy. Most dealers would be only too happy to let you test a machine if you were really serious about buying. This way, you'd get a feel for a machine and could also get some expert advice about the size of chainsaw best suited for you needs.

One of the best places to go for chainsaw brand reviews is online forums. It just makes sense; these forums are dedicated to people who use power tools such as chainsaws on a regular basis and in the majority of cases, they don’t have a vested interest in the product other than using it for their own use.

The only thing you need to decide is the brand of chainsaw you are going to buy. This is where it gets tricky because saw users are parochial in the main and will stick with a particular brand.

The best way to tackle it is to identify the jobs you want to perform with your chainsaw, how much you want to spend and your level of experience. You will get a good cross reference of chainsaw reviews but look for those from members who have good standing within the forum community.

This can be determined by the number of posts they’ve made in relation to others or whether they are a forum moderator or administrator.

Where To Shop For Chainsaws

As an occasional user you will be tempted to shop some of the big mart stores. This is not a bad idea because you can pick up some pretty useful machines at incredible prices. Many are priced at well under $100 in either gas or electric models.

Firstly, don't expect to pick up any big name chainsaws such as Stihl and Husqvarna and secondly, there is the risk of getting frustrated with a lack of follow up service if the machine has problems.

Before you buy through this type of store, just make sure they will include service work as part of the purchase otherwise save yourself some frustration.

Important Follow Up Service

Buying through a dealer who guarantees back up service is always the best option even if you have to pay a few dollars more.

It's one thing to read chainsaw brand reviews and be impressed by the features of a machine but looking for simple follow up service is just as important and will be your safety net.

If something goes wrong with your machine, rather than having to have it shipped off to some far-flung destination, you can get the work done close-by and in quicker time.

One of the things you need to concentrate on in a chainsaw review is whether a machine is reliable. Let’s face it, if you’re shelving out hundreds of dollars you want to make sure you’re getting your monies worth.

Reliability is one of the things you’ll see in a Echo chainsaw review. Echo has developed a solid reputation among loyal band of followers for delivering what the end user want - a machine capable of handling those tough jobs without compromising safety and performance.

Choosing Your Chainsaw

There is little doubt when shopping for chainsaws that the major brands will dominate discussions. For example, Stihl and Husqvarna are pretty much the stronghold in the market.

Does this mean when reading a Echo chainsaw review you should compare them to the big name brands? Not at all. Echo chainsaws can mix it with the best but you have to be careful not to choose the wrong size saw.

Many first time chainsaw users make the mistake of over capitalizing with their first machine without doing a little research and homework. It's not that they don't pick themselves up a quality machine with the best manufacturers, the irony is, the chainsaws which were meant to be used and worked often will sit in somebody's tool shed gathering dust.

Echo Chainsaw Reviews

Even though they cater well towards the professional to semi professional, they haven't missed the inexperienced chainsaw user with their lightweight CS-306 machine.

Fancy bells and whistles have been part of the chainsaw marketing scene for several years now and many of the new features pertain to safety. Echo chainsaws are no different but the reputation they've gathered relates to chainsaw toughness and reliability.
Professionals will tell you fancy bells and whistles are great but if the chainsaw has no heart then what's the point.

The obvious concern for a novice will be the reliability of a machine and the CS-306 like it's bigger cousins, doesn't lack in the heart department.

Safety is another important issue with chainsaws. It's another aspect of a Echo chainsaw review where safety features are one of the main selling points.

One of the main problems with chainsaws is what's known as the fatigue factor. A heavy machine and an inexperienced user spells danger. Echo has kept the novice user in mind with the 306 weighing in at between 7-8 pounds.

Fatigue is responsible for thousands of accidents each year and if professionals can get into trouble, then novices need to heed strict safety precautions when using chainsaws.

Choosing a chainsaw comes down to several factors. We're not going to suggest to professionals how to choose the right chainsaw for the job however, for the novice or complete beginner, then making the right choice is vital.

Too many times homeowners, with little use for a chainsaw other than to cut some firewood or to perform some pruning maintenance around the home go over the top, normally following bad advice, and over-capitalize to the hilt.

In many cases, an electric chainsaw would be perfect yet many get carried away and buy high-powered gas saws without giving consideration to a couple of major factors.

1. The machine they purchase will do the job they want okay, but it's simply to big and too expensive for the minor jobs it's been asked to do. In many cases, a purchaser could have saved themselves hundreds of dollars.

2. A gas-powered saw can make a lot of noise and this is not a good fit for a suburban area. There's every chance you'll get under your neighbor's skin.

Lack of use will be a major issue and you could find your high-powered saw could become a tool shed decoration!

Electric chainsaws are a little more restrictive and that's understandable when you're dragging a chord attached to the chainsaw around. However, ask yourself how many times you are likely to use it and then weigh up the pros and cons of whether outlaying several hundred dollars makes any sense.

For less than a hundred bucks, you can pick yourself up any number of handy little chainsaws which can do the minor jobs around a home. For example, McCulloch's MCC 3516 electric chainsaw is excellent value and while it doesn't have all the bells and whistles it's easy to start and is lightweight design.

Shop around before making a decision and talk to the experts and get a good cross-section of opinions. In fact, join in on some of the forums online dedicated to chainsaw users and handy persons and simply describe your situation and ask for an opinion on how to choose the right chainsaw.