Echo Chainsaws - Opinions?

I am considering one for some brush cutting. I need something durable as my Stihl's but lighter in weight.

Also, someone told me once that the Echo saws that are orange are professional grade and the white ones are consumer grades. Anything to that?

I am considering an Echo CS-306 (orange) and a CS-346 (white).

BTW, I am also considering a Stihl MS 200.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Bill

I don't use it a lot, but it has always started right up whenever I needed it to run. Wore out the saw chains I got with it when I bought it and put a new chain on several years ago. Cuts like a new saw.

BTW, I used it for about 3 hours yesterday, started easy, ran strong.

bot Stihl MS180 with 14 inch bar first year and ran the bejesus out of it, with Stihl Micro-sized chain it only takes one stone and thats it, the thin chain really lets that tiny engine cut, real good on gas/oil, MS180 just about same as 170 but has handy chain tensioner

bot 2nd one 3 years ago, seems like its more "EPA-ized" than first one but still cuts great, I take both out in the bushes and cut till both are dull

both saws like to throw the chain cutting brush, converted one over to Bailey's "rim" sprocket and "Woodsman Pro" bar and chain and that helped a lot, same specs as Stihl chain but seems to take a lot more abuse before it dulls

I grind the depth gages way down, very little leverage cutting brush close to the ground so the extra bite helps

oh yeah, WEAR CHAPS, I have had too many close calls from working after getting over-tired