I run a Stihl 260 PRO to cut 10+ cords of firewood each year. The bigger 361 ( now the 362 ) is more popular around here, and I'll probably add one of those some day, but the 260 is lighter and less tiring for an old geezer like me to cut with for hours at a time. These are both professional grade saws. There is a big difference between the professional line and the homeowner line. Homeowner saws are generally heavier for equal power, and engineered to be replaced over time rather than repaired and kept for many years. So it depends on what you need and how much you want to spend. I believe that Stihl has a great reputation for their professional saws, and they may be using that reputation to market the homeowner line, but they are not the same thing.
The major competitor for Stihl in my neck o' the woods is Husqvarna. The Husky's seem to be comparable in power and reliability, but I never owned one so I can't speak from experience.
I have owned a few homeowner saws over the years, including McCullock, Homelite, and Sear brands. They are all about the same. They run well when new, wear out fast if you work them hard, then end up in the dump. I never owned an Echo.
