Stihl Ms661c VS 500i! 36”&25” Bars!

today we test the 661 the stihl ms661c vs the 500i.

[@johnphillips770]

I personally own a 500 I,stock a 32 is about it on bar length, the only thing that I changed is the suspension kit from west coast saws, improved the feel a ton

[@daveholmes123]

I've ran both of theses saws several months ago, and came to the same conclusion I own the MS 661 she is a torx monster but my buddies 500i is a screamer great video fellas! Thanks for sharing 👍

[@toddsoutsideagain]

Nice video. I agree with Bobby! That was a wicked Hickory log. Take care fellas👊🏻

[@inthebackyardwithdel438]

Evening , both of those saw are super nice . Thanks for the review on them !!! 👍🏻🪵🇺🇸

[@765Guys]

They are!

[@BobbySixguns]

I don't have a ton of time with the 500i, but I have done some cutting with it as you both know. To me, it comes down to economics. For the money, a 462 is cheaper, similar power, and every bit as capable as the 500i. For similar money as the 500i, I can buy a 661 that has more grunt and I believe more capable, especially with bigger bars installed. Not knocking the 500i, to me, the 500i just came into the Stihl lineup in an odd place. It needs to have more power and torque at it's price point or needs to be a few hundred dollars cheaper. I will say this, Stihl has marketed the 500i very well, it got a lot of those 290/390 owners to buy their first pro-saw. Great video fellas.

[@765Guys]

Absolutely Bob, if you came from a 290 and the only thing you’ve run is a 290 and 500, of course the 500i is going to seem like a god send, but once you try other saws, it doesn’t take long to realize it’s not far off from others. Just comes down to use and how many saws do you want to own.

[@toddsoutsideagain]

I agree👍🏻

[@garystamour9817]

I love Stihl and have for 40 years but that 290 is the biggest little turd I've ever used​@@765Guys

[@JeffGeorgalas]

Good video Genin. It just confirms what we pretty much knew anyway. In wood up to say 24" the 500 will keep up with (if not beat) the 661, and when you get into really large logs, the 661 is just a torque monster and the 500 doesn't stand a chance.

[@OpenAirAdventure]

Hey Genin and Aaron. You guys did a great job on the testing. Going by what I've seen on other videos, the 500i works best in big wood and falls flat in small wood. But it seems to me in your video, the 500i is lacking the torque it requires in big wood when dogging. Its great you guys are doing this because it could help someone like myself when ready to move up. Kenny

[@765Guys]

Weird combination huh, not great in small wood but doesn’t have great torque with a big bar.. thanks for watching Kenny!

[@moppedmann123]

Nice Video! In my opinion the 462 is the better 500i, because its so handy, has tourque and its a beast. the 661 has much tourque, you can eaven run an 8t sprocket if you need insane chainspeed. its a traktor and also nice for milling 👌

[@nikky3piece452]

I run the 462, and it kills my friends 500i

[@richardbrowne1679]

Good Morning: Great Review- The bottomline is there all tools- just like adjustable wrenches. There’s different sizes for different jobs. Personally, I cut smaller softwood trees and 50cc and 60cc with 20 inch bars are used most of the time. All it comes to down is the most cost effective and efficient saw for your job.

[@765Guys]

That’s right, a tool for every job and a tool for everyone. Thanks for watching!

[@garystamour9817]

Exactly I agree

[@benskirvin4706]

I wouldn't pay that amount on the 500i. I would buy the 661 hands down. I've cut with the 500i, in green wood . Runs great. If I wanted a new saw I would buy a 462. just my opinion. I've ran Husky for years past.

[@markshechter8473]

Good video! I own both saws and the 500i (79 cc)definitely holds it's own against the 661 (92 cc). I'd like to see what would happen with a 462 in the mix... You might be surprised. Cheers!

[@ishure8849]

G'day 765 Guys, They need to inject the 661 then hold on to your hat, Oh the 066 Magnum variant I purchased my first one back in the late 80's or early 90's then another a few years later I still have them and a MS660 the best saws ever made and I'm including my 880 in the mix 👍.

[@matthewheffernan3877]

do you normally cut like this? 1 handed and rotating around so the bar is near legs?

[@jamesdepalma6341]

Alot of the pro guys out west that are running 32 and 36 inch bars appear to all have the 500i ported and cut the jug a little or do a base gasket delete in addition to a foam air filter like a max flow or red beard/wcs , and an exhaust like a WCS or Egan and have them recalibrated. I think once all this has been done to the saw its really a great saw. Out of the box??? Yeah the 661 will eat it everytime with 32 or 36 bar. The 28inch bar I think is ideal for the 500i in stock form. Just my opinion though. Great video and thanks for doing this test!! Id like to see the MS462 vs 500i if you can someday! Both with 28" bars

[@765Guys]

A lot of the guys out west run big bars but cut softwood. This is tough hickory, not an easy cutting wood. Not sure if you saw it or not but the video before this we ran the 462vs500 with 25” bars.

[@jamesdepalma6341]

​@@765Guys Very good point!! I usually cut oak, poplar, pine....mostly. I do understand that hickory is very hard and tough to cut. Now that you mention it, I did see that video and commented on it too lol, it has the 400C in it aswell. I will watch it again! Thanks!

[@ramtruck2011able]

That was enjoyable. I like buying a piece of equipment that can repair. Basic maintenance at most with the 500i. 661 I could do more to. I don't want to be taking anything to the shop if I can help it. If the 500i as electrical issues I'm sure it's off to the shop

[@gogro3322]

Love my 660 full wrap 28” skip, not sold on the 500i. Maybe if a 700i came out @ the weight of the 660….

[@Mountaintoptractor]

I have a 500i with a bark box, it is true just noise...untill you add a max flow, that makes all the difference. More air in = more air out.

[@timothysullivan4130]

I own both saws the 661 is a monster a little heavy.my 500i is AWESOME both are ported bark box 36 STIHL light bars. BOTH GREAT SAWS STIHL ONLY!☝️☝️☝️☝️

[@matthewheffernan3877]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="554">9:14</a> how tight is that chain?. sounds crazy tight

[@ronkuzyk3836]

I use the 661 for milling. I would not want the 500 for milling at all. I would like to see a comparison with a 661 and a 881. I would love to mill some hickory.

[@mathews0618]

I have an 881 and you can lean on a .404 41" bar with all your might and it wont stop. Its not necessarily fast

[@ronsilva516]

A long bar will save your back and I live on the west coast in the north end of California and 661 is my saw of choice 😎👍

[@fricknjeep]

hi there nice show , i have a 660 runs good , john

[@KNLFirewood]

Hi boys! Depends what your cutting. 661 is pretty awesome though…

[@765Guys]

You got that right!

[@dcvariousvids8082]

Got a 500i but the 660/661 is in a different league. The latter has more cc but unfortunately old school anti-vib tech.

[@axesandthings483]

661 all day. Go big or go home. If you're going to port, tune and modify and you'll be carrying the saw through the mountains, I'd take the 500i. You'll spend another 1000 dollars getting all that set up, though.

[@Whateva67]

I would like to test my sweet 066 against a 500. I run either a 32” cannon or a 36” Stihl bar and it just tears through wood😊

[@jreif14]

Were they both running the same pin sprocket?

[@765Guys]

Not sure, they were both running whatever comes stock.

[@jreif14]

Got ya. Yeah that 661 might be running a 7 pin and the 500 running an 8, which would also add to the better torque from the 661 and greater speed from the 500 obviously.

[@aaronmilburn4962]

They are both the 7 pin factory sprocket

[@outdoorsinthe608]

I’m not sold on the 500… Great job guys👍💪👍

[@765Guys]

You and me both, good saw but what I’ve experienced, it doesn’t live up the massive hype other channels talk it up to.

[@man9170]

Other than the insane throttle response of the 500, it is just like a dolmar 7900 which was released 20 years ago

[@d.m_7779]

The ms 661 has a Bit more power. But The ms500i Looks Like a Hulk saw. The more he cuts, the more aggressive and faster he becomes. ( with Bark box )

[@kennethmcgovern3137]

Guys the 661 is 10 plus CC’s more than the 500 I will take the 500 all day because at the end of the day 3 pounds is a lot

[@thegreeninvasion5511]

Why the hell would you do a comparison with 2 bars that different in length? Everything is going to change!🤔🤨🤯

[@michaelfrank6696]

You guys need to have those saws ported they both are slow and gutless

[@765Guys]

Yes they are painfull to run.

[@user-bf8ph6jc7f]

Come on guy it's time to get the ole 95 out n show wat a big saws meant to do

[@boki647]

Guys i need help, i have husqvarna 445, and im planing to buy new saw, a lot more powerful. I was looking at husqvarna 592xp and stihl 661. Even do i dont need that powerful saw, i cant stand when i cut tree and here that saw is dieing, then i must pull it up and on and on. I dont have much to do whit it, seasonal firewood, 30 cubic meats,. Complet proces from wood to house. I would appreciate some help. Best regards

[@765Guys]

Any pro saw will be a world of difference from your 445. Even the 550xp will be a great one for you. 592 and 661 will cut anything out there with ease but you may get fatigued quicker since they are heavy. I’d suggest looking into a 70cc saw. Stihl 400c, 462c or Husqvarna 572xp are all great choices. Thanks for watching and hope this helps!

[@boki647]

@@765Guys Thank you my man. It does help a lot. I will take a look. I dont need hugh bar i have 18 inches now, sometimes its a bit short. Thank you again.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Too bad you didn’t have the ported Makita 7900 so you could really cut lol.

[@765Guys]

Yeah, shame we don’t have any Makita saws

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

@@765Guys it’s a shame they discontinued the gas line and only kept the battery powered saws.

[@765Guys]

So makita buys dolmar, and they don’t make any more gas saws?

[@waynejohnson9855]

If a bark box doesn’t give it more power what’s the point of it? I’ve heard 10% more horse power using one so that would put the 500 at 7.3 horsepower, 6 tenths of a horse is quite a jump.

[@765Guys]

@@waynejohnson9855 the box it comes in says up to 5%. Point of them, for me is just the sound. But I’m sure the increases flow makes the exhaust gas temperature lower.

[@hillcresthayfarms9664]

if you are just firewood guys, why the west coast dogs? there not needed for east coast thin bark trees and you give up cut capacity

[@matthewheffernan3877]

because looks

[@MrGilarte]

na minha maneia de ver e com a experiencia que tenho em lidar com motosserras a 500 i fica muito atras da 661c na qualidade e duração. Alem demais a 500 i gasta mais combustivel .