Summary:
I love it!

Strengths:
Wow, I have used a many a chainsaws in my time but this HAS to be the strongest boss of them all. It can cut through anything you want it to. I thought that I would try it out on the bush next to my house and it tore right through the thing, almost ma bloomin house an all. It was mad. It has a lot of power to it. I bought this mainly because my other chainsaw kept stopping at the bigger boys but this one tears through anything and Im glad I purchased it. It was a fine purchase and I recommend any of yas to purchase it too.

Weaknesses:
It can be a bit hard to control at times.

Summary:
EASE OF USE, GOOD BALANCE, OVERALL RUGGED SAW FOR HOMEOWNER/LANDSCAPER.

Strengths:
OF ALL THE CHAINSAWS THAT I HAVED EITHER USED OR SERVICED, I HAVE FOUND THIS SAW WITH THE 20" BAR TO BE IDEAL FOR MY USE.

Weaknesses:
IT TAKES 4 PULLS TO START.

Summary:
KICKS BUTT HERE IN THE BIG TIMBER COUNTRY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA CANADA..NOW IF WE CAN JUST KEEP THOSE IDIOT LEFT WING ENVIRONUTS OUT OF OUR FORESTS IT WILL BE A GOOD DAY.

Strengths:
A BULL OF SAW..WANTS TO CUT ALL DAY AND NIGHT! VERY WELL MADE..ITS A REAL MANS SAW..AND IN THE RIGHT HANDS WITH THE 20-BAR CAN CUT THROUGH THE VERY TOUGHEST OF JOBS. NOTHING BAD TO SAY ABOUT IT..IT EVEN PULLS HARD IN THE DEAD OF WINTER MY FRIENDS.

Weaknesses:
IT DOESNT MAKE ME BREAKFASTS IN THE MORNING

Summary:
last one lasted 5 yrs ovf heavy use- replaced only due to fact that 1 of my workers ran it over w/ truck- very satisfied

Strengths:
excellent power to wt ratio-a real work saw

Weaknesses:
none at present

Summary:
very disapointed bought it new two years ago first time using it it kept stalling after 15 minutes of hard use took it back to dealer he put a new plug in it and same thing. took it back to dealer he kept it for a few days and could not duplicate problem took it out to the woods same problem took it to the dealer told him you have to run it for 15 min. his exact words were i dont have time to stand here and run it that long, now about every other time i use it the throttle linkage falls apart in between its stalling i have to fix in woods while my boy laughs and his 120 dollar poulan wild thing just keeps running and running. this is the fourth saw ive owned 2 macs 1 still 021 and this is by far the worst anyone want to buy a nice looking stihl ms 290 looks like new im going to try husky or jonsered

Strengths:
good power and smooth

Weaknesses:
starts hard after it gets warmed up it keeps stalling when going from high speed down to idle

Summary:
very good saw so far, blows my home depot poulan pro away, and the poulan is not a bad saw. at least the stihl is made in the u.s.a. in south carolina from imported parts???

Strengths:
the stihl ms290 seems like a ass kicking mid range saw,with power to spare,...... if you let the saw do the cutting.i was impressed how smooth it cut, altough.....if i pushed a little harder it cut faster, to a point of course, its only a midrange saw and the balance is good.mine came with a 18 inch bar but i could see where a 20inch would be handy

Weaknesses:
it takes about 4 to5 pulls to get it going, and if it sets while its idleing it stalled if you pulled the trigger to fast, when your moving brush ect.

Summary:
I really like the saw it has power to spare and never has let me down.one of the better saws i have used

Strengths:
good power,very reliable

Weaknesses:
cold start takes to many pulls,a bit heavy (if you have some extra $$ consider the 260 the power to weight is noticeable)...