Review of Stihl MSA 220C

My thoughts and my first use of the battery operated Stihl saw. the MSA 220c with the AP300S batteries.

[@sirvozelo1]

I have the 220C about 3 years and have used it quite a lot never have a problem so far. It runs with al AP batteries however i normaly use the AP300S. I use to have it with a 40cm bar now I change for the Light04, 35cm is litle shorter but I got a litle more battery time and if is a ticker log I use the MSA300. I have the 161T, GTA26, 220C, MSA300 and the Trimmer 135 they all great unfortunately the battery technology fail short, I have the batteries 1 AP200, 1 AP300, 3 AP300S and 4 AP500S. In particular with MSA300 if you are going to cut continuos like from a pile of logs you must have 4 AP500S batteries and the charger 500 connected to keep recharging. in overall I can say I am happy they are conveniente nevertheless is a big battery's investment. Power wise the 220C is not comparable with MSA300.

[@James.......]

I have the same saw, basically only good for trimming small branches for a few minutes. I’ll stick with my 500i or 362 for any real work. I’m tempted to buy a couple more gas saws and just keep them as backups in case they ever stop making them

[@billycrotty4102]

You aren't being fair comparing this to a 500i that's a far bigger saw, im a tree surgeon I have msa 200 top handle an msa161 and also the msa 300...... and the 500i. They can't completely replace the petrol " gas " as you'd say but the battery saws are better for tree work perhaps not logging. Stihl make bigger battery saws and battery.

[@Treestofirewood]

@billycrotty4102 I’m not just comparing to just a 500i. I have every saw size there is. From the smallest top handle to an 881. I’m saying in general. I own a tree service and I know the difference. I’m just saying the battery saws have come a long way but they also have a long way to go as well.

[@billycrotty4102]

@@Treestofirewood I was replying to the person who said he'll stick with his 500i and gave a direct comparison between the two saws.

[@KymTube]

Thank you for your great, honest review. I was about to make a purchase…knowledge and a keen! Now I know. Now WE know! I have the 201 as well and it’s good! I love my 500i though. ❤

[@Treestofirewood]

Yeah love my 201 and the 500i. I still use the MSA 220. Just for marking logs and a little bit of pruning on trees.

[@Kayla-pg9ld]

Thanks for the review!

[@Treestofirewood]

My pleasure!

[@richardboggs260]

I think I will stay with my gas chainsaws. We still have a very long way to go before we do away with gas and diesel powered equipment. Some people need to realize this before they force us make the change to battery power. Thank you for the video!! Thank you for the review!

[@Treestofirewood]

Yeah combustion engines are the way to go.

[@Gyppor]

Thanks for the honest review. I wish we had prices like that in Canada, I am looking at $850 US dollars for the saw, fast charger and one 300s battery. It's a hard sell when I still have a perfectly functioning ms 250 that probably cuts significantly faster.

[@Treestofirewood]

Right now nothing beats a gas saw. But the more and more I use the battery saws the more I like them. Just wish the battery life was better along with the power. But there coming along.

[@Gyppor]

@@Treestofirewood I think they're great saws for a lot of people, I'm just trying to figure out if they are for me! Charging in the vehicle is another aspect I'm unsure about. I believe you need a pure sine wave inverter, but it's hard to find info on this. I'd hate to buy one only to find I cant charge it in the field when I'm out for several days at a time, needing firewood every night. Cheers and thanks again for the vid!

[@sirvozelo1]

I am in Portugal and I agree with you, buying a battery is like buying gold. I do have 1 AP200, 1 AP300, 4 AP300S and 4 AP500S so just in batteries I very much have a fortune, they sure are overpriced.

[@Treestofirewood]

Yea all batteries are crazy now. I don’t have a 500s yet. I’m sure I will Be buying some more sometime soon.

[@sirvozelo1]

@@Treestofirewood Don't over estimate the AP500S, I have 4 of those, if is not for use in the MAS300 or the Trimmer 135 isn't wort the price difference compared with AP300S.

[@timearp8185]

Great review and you've pointed out quite clearly it's not for sustained use. For clearing up it looks great, for a long piece of work it's not the one to pick up. I see that Stihl are now doing x4 battery charger- guess they have people experiencing the same as you!

[@Treestofirewood]

Yeah I have seen those chargers. I’m sure one day I will have a whole bunch of 4x chargers. Hopefully by then they come along way.

[@nigelpeterson-white30]

Only problem is they only charge 1 battery at a time not all 4 at once so its really a 4 battery carrier with single charger !!! Pretty useless

[@Treestofirewood]

Really they only charge one at a time?

[@timearp8185]

Seems a bit pointless doesn't it!@@Treestofirewood

[@PelicanIslandLabs]

You paid $200 for that saw? What.................. the saw with AP300S and charger is $800 in the USA.

[@Treestofirewood]

I bought the saw a long time ago and I buy lots of equipment from my dealer and I always get a good deal. I buy at least 10k just in saws every year. Plus other big equipment from the same dealer so they take care of me.

[@vandnarajpoot2406]

Cost

[@Treestofirewood]

Saw itself for me was little over $400. Plus the batteries. Not cheap but works great.

[@danahasson2892]

Just be glad you don't live in California. I am going to have to go out of state for gasoline powered equipment after the lawnmower/ saw shops run out of their stock that they purchased before January 2024 of gas powered equipment.

[@Treestofirewood]

Yeah I definitely am glad I don’t live there. Could never go without my powered equipment. At least not at this time. I guess stock up on anything you think you may need in the future. It’s all an investment.

[@Treestofirewood]

Yeah I definitely am glad I don’t live there. Could never go without my powered equipment. At least not at this time. I guess stock up on anything you think you may need in the future. It’s all an investment.

[@danahasson2892]

@@Treestofirewood I have stocked up on some equipment such as climbing saws but it's hard to know exactly what you are going to need in the future especially when you have 35 employees.

[@Treestofirewood]

@danahasson2892 yeah I hear that. Only can get what you think you may eventually need. Have you bought any of those electric top handle saws yet? I may bite the bullet one day and try one out.

[@danahasson2892]

@@Treestofirewood I bought one of the Husqvarna. top handles when they first came out and it was pretty good overall but once you buy a spare battery for it there are more money than a Stihl 201 and not as good .