If local dealer support is a concern then go with Stihl. If you're self sufficient then flip a coin.

Echo has an excellent online parts store. Stihl doesn't even know what online is. (you need to waist gas dealing with thier B&M dealers)

Stihl doesn't believe in selling their stuff in box stores on online. They want you to get it from the dealer. The dealers are supposed to knowledge and helpful. As with every industry some dealers are better than others. I have a ms 250 that I love with an 18 inch bar. The 18 inch bar is pushing the limits of my ms250 so I think the 18inch bar on a 230 is a little much. I don't know much about echo, but lots of folks seem to like them. I wish echo would publish hp numbers to help compare saws. No way to know how much hp since echo doesn't publish horsepower numbers.

Thanks. I think what you are saying is that with a
40cc engine, 16" should be the bar limit, and
for an 18" bar I need at least 45cc?? Really not sure
I need the extra bar length, but I do need more
power than my Poulan 20cc has.

Maybe the Stihl 230 40cc 16" is a better fit
than the Echo CS-400 40cc 18"??

16 or 18" doesn't matter much unless your cutting with the bar buried a lot and the extra length is nice for limbing. You'll find the Echo saws are built better than homeowner Stihls and they'll have a little better power (not as good as Stihl pro saws cc for cc). Then theres the 5 years warrenty. Steve

A good rule of thumb is 3:1 on cc's to bar length. 16" is in it's sweet spot around 45cc. Below that and the engine will start to be underpowered. Just a general rule though. So, to pull an 18", you'd want to be in the 50's.

But like ladylake said, it mostly only matters when you are buried in the wood and it also depends on the wood species.

As always, keep the chain sharp.

The ms 230 has 2.5hp, the ms 250 has 3 hp. Just curious how do you know the echo has more power than the stihl? Echo doesn't publish hp numbers.

I've ran Stihl homeowner and pro saws side by side with Echo saws, cc for cc the Echo saws will cut faster than Stihl homeowner saws and a little slower than thier pro saws. Published HP numbers mean nothing, just a good selling point if they're stretched a little Steve