Echo 2500T Review & Cut Speed vs 2511T - Petrol vs Battery

I thought I was being a bit unfair on the new Echo cordless saw by throwing my modded 2511T at it... I was so wrong!
It was designed to match a 2511T - I can confirm, in cross cutting with minimal pressure, it outperforms even a well broken in muffler-modded one by 24%.
It runs faster under load, and can take more pressure than any battery saw I've used.
On paper, the chain speed is 14% faster than the Stihl 161T - maybe we'll let them throw down against each other next!
One thing I didn't compare was how the 2511T does under heavy load - maybe we'll have a look at that too - and whether the 2500T will pull a bigger 14-incher!

[@gerbutt]

I’ve got both and they are both great saws. I’ve ported my 2511 and it’s a beast, I think I may have a vid of it on here. Things I’ve noticed about the dcs2500 are, the chain cover gets clogged really quickly, it seems to get stuck in cuts where the 2511 won’t with the same bar and chain. That’s something I’ve noticed with all battery saws, even the big husky one, and on mine the top on off button went real quickly. All that said though, on a big beech reduction it’s a dream, there’s a lot to be said of not having to pull start a saw when you’re right out on the end of a branch. Oh, and the peace and quiet is lovely 😊

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

yes I know what you mean mine did the same, I really do love it despite its quirks!

[@IndependenceIron]

Thanks for the review. I run a 2511T and love the weight and power but it, but seems finicky on the idle some days, so was debating a battery top handle to avoid all the starting. I will definitely keep this 2500 in mind!!

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

The saw is just amazing; a pleasure to use and first choice to have on my harness - however it’s sat on the shelf unusable - again! - because my THIRD battery has died for no reason! 🤦‍♂️ I have a suspicion the waterproof sealing on the batteries might not be as good as the saw - but frankly echo seem to be getting p*ssed off that I keep breaking them - they sent one of their staff & hand delivered the last one lmao 🤣

[@RFTwo]

My 2500T was delivered tonight! Just pulled the battery off the charger in fact. Looking forward to giving it a go tomorrow!

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

Wheyyy! Enjoy mate :) …has a bit of a different power curve than petrol but you’ll love it once you get the feel for it 👌

[@0C34NF13LD]

Can’t wait to see some in-tree footage of that 2500t from you. Been on the fence about getting one.

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

Had a play but not filmed anything yet - stuck on a groundworks contract for 6 weeks but bare with me! It’s coming! :)

[@achyar9034]

For those whose batteries are already reduced the time cuts a long time, but the engine remains consistent

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

Yeahh I get you mate, I’d say one battery would get me through a large reduction/thinning, and probably most of the way through a take down to the point where I’d want a 200 or something bigger anyway… It’s very nice being able to hear your lads downstairs whilst up there tho! …& it doesn’t burn ya leg 😉

[@GCtrees]

That 2511 sounds like it needs a tune, not running clean and smooth at the top end, sounds like it needs leaning out a little

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

I think I agree tbh mate - however it’s got one of those weird special carb adjusters & I’ve lost the damn spanner for it 🤦‍♂️

[@GCtrees]

It's a little fiddly but it can be done relatively easily with a normal flathead carb screwdriver

[@jacobpomelow7481]

I pulled my red limiter caps off with a screw and some plyers and can use a normal mini screw driver

[@jacobpomelow7481]

Seemed like very small adjustments changed a lot more than anything else I've "tuned"

[@GCtrees]

@@jacobpomelow7481 mine hasn't got any limiter caps, just the metal d shaped pins from the carb

[@outdoors-fun]

You mentioned the 2511 was fully fueled/fully loaded for the weight test. Did you fill the oil reservoir on the 2500 when you weighed it? Also, on your cut test, the 2511 cut thru the larger end of the log. Which explains why your first cuts were about 8 seconds and your last cut with the 2511 was under 6 seconds.

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

Yes I did - but I have switched from the 2.0 ah batteries to the 2.5 ah - so the 2500 in ‘todays form’ & how it’s now sold is actually a bit heavier… The 2511 in retrospect sounds like it needs a bit of a tune too - in real world ‘work cutting’, you can just manhandle and force the 2511 through and it just keeps cutting - I prefer the other one on my harness, but the 2511 is without doubt the best small climbing saw around atm!

[@julianalderson3938]

Yer gota get one. Got muff moded 150t love it but loud n goes outa tune alot. Thanks good vids bro'

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

Rocking the new t540 mkiii when I need more grunt now! Keep an eye out for more videos

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

Update from a few months down the line - battery one back on the shelf, more electrical problems, 2511 still rocking the wood like a lil savage 🤙

[@harrislandscapingpa]

In the US the Dcs2500 isn't available in 1/4 pitch configuration. Is there a 1/4 pitch sprocket part number available over there, so I could convert from 3/8 sprocket? I can't find anything here.

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

Hey there mate, there’s a panther version that would work - can’t find a part number for echo or Oregon though - www.chainsawbars.co.uk/product/echo-cs-2511-t-tes-wes-1-4-drive-sprocket-panther-version/

[@harrislandscapingpa]

@@NotYourAverageTreeMan doesn't appear to be interchangeable especially since the Dcs2500 doesn't have a clutch. It's direct drive and seems to be an oddly shaped power output shaft, what's your take on this?

[@harrislandscapingpa]

On second thought, Looks like the chain brake is using the clutch drum. So that might work. I'll have to pull the clip and investigate.

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

I’ve not actually converted one myself so can only pass on 2nd hand info - I’ve been told it will fit, but don’t have my saws with me to check right now :/ There will definitely be an echo spare part soon when they start wearing & people need replacements so keep an eye out! 🤙 Either way, good luck mate!

[@Ibrisar]

Interesting. I have been following the electric for a long time, waiting for a good, powerful and LIGHT machine. I've seen them all, none convinced me, some for too much weight, and some for lack of power. I would be willing to put autonomy in the background, if it had top weight and top power, compared to a petrol engine. I await comparisons with rivals. Sorry for my english 🪵🪓🌱✌️

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

No worries man - I’ll see what I can do :) have access to the stihls to compare but not the husky’s

[@genetherapy666]

At 3mins 10 seconds in you rev your saw and it stops almost instantly when you release the trigger. That chain is far too tight.

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

I agree - I can’t remember but possibly accommodating for a very worn/jumpy sprocket that has since been replaced 👍

[@capecodarbortech]

So where do you get those panther bars ?! I have gotten a few from money beaver but they are sold out until the fall ..

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

Hey mate I get them from chainsawbars.co.uk - they’re the original supplier I believe :) …but they’re popular and often out of stock! Get a couple if you find some!

[@br-dj2ti]

Hey buddy where did you get the gas and oil caps for your 2511 I like them ones

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

Hey mate, from sky land equipment in the UK - they’re the caps for a husky 525… be aware though - the seal can be a bit troublesome; needs to be seated absolutely perfectly or they’ll leak a little bit 👍

[@grahampope5684]

What part # are the husky flip caps on the 2511 or where can I get them?

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

Hey there mate, you want two of these: Part Number - 577878603 - but be careful; the seal is a bit finicky - they do fit, and seal, but you've just got to be careful because the rubber o-ring tends to get squished out of place if overtightened even just a little bit! Hope that helps, and good luck!

[@eugenecrabs3954]

Chain on 2511 is too tight

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

Aye might have been - was definitely a bit dry on the oil to start too

[@papasmurf6312]

Ho heavy is the battery one compared to the 2511

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

Pretty much identical - on paper its apparently 80grams lighter than the 2511 - in the hand, id say they feel pretty much the same weight, but the grip on the 2500 is much improved; much more positive grippier texture

[@olliewall889]

Stick the proper chain on from panther and you’ll be even more impressed with it!

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

I’ve tried the panther chains and wasn’t impressed - Stihl all the way for me! 👍

[@olliewall889]

@@NotYourAverageTreeMan fair enough dude, I’m the opposite I really dislike the Stihl ones 🤙🏼

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

Panther bars all the way though! 👍🤙

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

Panther bars all the way though! 👍🤙

[@SLOCLMBR]

​@olliewall889 for me, it depends on how much I play with a file.. I have bought panther chains that were obviously USED out of the package.. what we really need is a 1/4p with single rakers like a real saw chain..

[@TerrellWillams]

Surprised 😮!!!

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

I was too mate! Staggered in fact! …never did it in the vid, but it’s a bit pants on bore cuts - but like when are you really gonna use a saw like this boring into 18inch rounds!? 😂 NGL have been having some issues with her but I’m sure I’ve got a defective unit, so the general opinion still stands! 👌

[@TerrellWillams]

@@NotYourAverageTreeMan I hear you! Lol! What’s the price?

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

Just shy of £700 all in with 2 batteries & the panther/Stihl set up 👍

[@TerrellWillams]

@@NotYourAverageTreeMan Wow… that’s less expensive than I expected!

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

Only downside is there aren’t very many tools in their lineup that use the same batteries… if I was buying again, I’d probably make do with the petrol version and have waited for the new Stihl 220tco 👌

[@user-jb8mc8gd1o]

Rip Rip Rip or zip zip zip lol

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

Ahahaha lol 😂 …the battery ain’t doing much zipping at the moment - saws great, batteries keep breaking 🤷‍♂️

[@bryanrager6777]

Why does your 2511 sound like shit? Like it is barely getting fuel or something.

[@NotYourAverageTreeMan]

I think it was getting a bit too much - and have lost the spanner to adjust :(