Battery Saw that looks, feels and runs like a gas saw, Stihl MSA 300C

Hi Mike, FYI the decibel scale is logarithmic which means that a 3 dB difference is equal to twice the noise level so your perception was correct the 400 was much louder. By the way I really enjoy your videos and hope you continue for a long time to come. Thanks Dave D from McKean

I enjoyed your comparison test Mike. I'm 78 and don't cut my own firewood anymore. So I sold my 2 Stihls, and accessories, and bought an inexpensive electric chainsaw. So far, I am very happy with it for the few uses I have for it. Now, I don't have to worry about gas going bad from sitting around for a year, and on rainy days, I can use it inside my woodshed to cut up anything I have laying around without the gas exhaust problem. So yes, IMHO, they have their place and should improve over the years, like better batteries, etc.

Also, Mike I understand your point on the lightning. As a former Tesla owner, I found that the car was great, and I’m sad I sold it, and just ordered a new one. I had a truck the entire time, as I drive up to the mountains regularly, and like a winch, 4x4, higher clearance, extra space, and the bed. However, I found the Tesla was adequate for almost everything and had pros. For driving to work in the city, it was nice using auto pilot on the freeway, and reading emails ( I know…), and always waking up with a full battery, 20.+ miles of range, and never once going to the gas station during the week. Additionally, in California EV get to use the carpool lane, and can park in special places. I also discovered on the 3hr road trip to Tahoe, which I took it on occasionally, when I knew I wouldn’t need my truck, I wasn’t mad. Auto pilot is safer for certain, and I could pass every car with style, not that my truck won’t. I would always have to charge on the way up, not the way home. But, even on the way home we would be stopped for 20 minutes getting food, and going to the bathroom. And to charge its like 30 minutes, so you just enjoy your meal. The superchargers are typically near desirable food too. I really liked the way the car drove, and it is way safer than any other vehicle, in a crash, and with auto pilot preventing a crash. I just wish it had CarPlay, like my f350. Now, I only use my truck when working on a project, moving sleds or bikes, towing, or during crazy wether when I want a saw or tools, which I have more of in the truck, or for driving down sketchy roads, where I want better 4x4 and a winch. Also…the Tesla was phenomenal on snow, low center of gravity, good weight, no digging out tailpipes. I think that once they have a truck that has acceptable range compared to a current truck, and it can tow my boat around, then many more people will buy it, and will not laugh at it. For now, I like my truck and Tesla (soon again) combo, and love both vehicles a lot.

New to your page... Im a 67 yr old woman landowner 21 acres heavy woods, for 25 yrs. ,Had to switch to battery everything because I can no longer snap the pull starts. Right now using a kobalt 80v brushless battery 18 inch bar, I have Kobalt pole saw 40 v with 2 batteries, I have 2 Black and decker alligator loppers battery and electric ( one of the best tools they make imho) I have 13 20 v batteries because I use black and decker weed eaters as well, Im having to get another 80 V battery for the kobalt but before I do I wanted to check out what stihl was doing in this arena and happened upon your page... thanks for doing this demo I subscribed to watch what else ya got! Im really liking what Im seeing in this stihl... but theres other things to consider like $$$$... Im happy with the kobalts for now but theres always room for improvement when it comes to tools, ya gotta have the right tool for the job.

Hello! 😊 Chainsaw cutting speed is dependent on primarily two things; saw power and speed, and the ability of the chain and bar to cut thru the wood. That being said, to compare the actual cutting speed of each saw, a new chain, and bar of equivalent size, on each saw should be a control factor.

Thanks for the comparison. Great job and I was impressed with the MSA300. I agree that battery saw will not replace the gas units but they are great for the quick and dirty grab and go type job when you do not want to wrestle with fuel. plus great for when you are climbing and cutting or in a basket trimming branches

I've been using chainsaws about as long as you are old. The industry has come along ways. I remember the first time I put my hands on a electric chainsaw ( 110 voltage ) !?! The friend that bought it over asked me what my thoughts were. My reply was your going to need two things first a really long extension cord when go to the woods and second plan on spending a week or so in the woods 🪵🤔🙃 About a year ago a very good friend stopped by with his wife and her new toy. A SKIL battery operated chainsaw and told me that at eighty years of age I need to retire my 6o+cc saw and get a SKIL. Well he left the saw and I tried it. I was impressed and now I own one.

I was looking for a battery saw and most of them you have to buy the saw, battery and charger separately. I went to my local Stihl to purchase one and he said they are reworking their saw and I would be better off with the Echo. The Echo came as a package that included Saw with 18" Bar, Battery & charger. I am happy with this saw.

Battery stuff has come a long way, I am in the Ryobi platform for power tools and for yard and garden into the 80v Greenworks and I even went as far as getting their electric 2 stage snow blower, and it works just as well as my Ariens did. The Greenworks chainsaw works pretty well too. What's nice is I have quite a few batteries now so when I'm out cutting I'll always have some on the charger and some ready to go.

Wow that's a sharp looking saw! I'll admit I've been blown away by the power of their battery tools.

I cant remember the last time i ran my gas stihl saws. I've only used my two Dewalt (20v/60v) saws for all of my wood cutting on the farm.

I agree. Battery power has it's place. I've used battery powered drills since the early days and now find I have many different tools that are battery powered. Before that when doing trim work, I drug around an extension cord all day to power a drill or saw, etc. Now I find myself going for the battery powered tools even in the shop where there is electric. The batteries have come a long way!

I have a battery chainsaw and rarely ever use my gas one anymore. I don't cut firewood with it, but use it to clean up downed limbs and take down small trees that need to come down, and I love it. I also have a Farmboss and my guess would be that the one you tested has a dull chain. Mine seems to cut a lot faster than that

You did a nice job comparing the chain saws. It gives your viewers the pros and cons about each one. Stay safe.

Very impressed with that saw, no dirty carbs, messing about with fuel. Good trial!

Looking forward to getting by battery saw. Definitely worth it for the winter when I am having to keep a saw in the car /truck for storm damage. Not smelling the fuel all the time will be a plus. Used the Dewalt this last winter for that very reason. Worked great except for the bar length.

One thing about those battery saws that I appreciate as the years go by. The first start of then season on a gas saw can wear your arm out but not so with battery saws. More noticeable between gas and battery weed trimmers because they don't make those carburetors to last anymore.

Mike - the Decibel scale is not linear - so a 3dB change is larger than you think - also the exhaust on the petrol chain saw is the other side away from the meter, try it with the exhaust facing the meter. I've got some Stihl battery kit it's all pretty solid.

Before I retired I spent 43+ years working on trucks and buses. Up until about 15 years ago all our power tools were air or corded. Now everything I use is Milwaukee cordless. Total game changer. I have sold all my air tools but a couple. The only thing I would say is that the bigger 1/2 “ cordless impact is bigger and heavier than the air equivalents, but power wise the same.

Mike I to said that battery saws weren't for me, but I bought one of Harbor Freights first saws 40 volt to use at my sawmill, it worked well so I got a pole saw figured it would run out of battery before me boy was I wrong it was still going strong, then Harbor freight came out with the Atlas 80 volt and 3 batteries and replaced the chain with Oregon chain, I could cut up a short bed pickup load of wood with 2 batteries and had third battery to cut up limbs with for cook stove. Now i'm looking at the Stihl also. They will never replace my gas saws but for quick or emergency use they are great just wish the price of the batteries were lower. This was a great comparison video. I am with you on the battery powered trucks, and that includes tractors recharge time and mileage makes them not worth it right now. Jla