Full Overview

The Oregon PowerNow CS250S 40V MAX Chainsaw Kit with Standard Battery Pack is a lithium ion battery-powered chainsaw that delivers a combination of performance and features that makes it a true alternative to many gas-powered chainsaws. For removing trees, cleaning up after a storm, pruning large branches or clearing debris from property, you can depend on the Oregon PowerNow 40V MAX Chainsaw. The Oregon PowerNow Chainsaw, with its lithium ion battery pack, offers instant starting without a pull cord, powerful cutting with no-fade power, and long runtime. It is a smarter, quieter way to work free from the hassles of gasoline or cords. When not in use, the lithium ion battery pack holds a charge for months at a time, so the PowerNow Chainsaw is ready when you are. Equipped with a 14-inch bar, the PowerNow Chainsaw can power through logs as large as 10 to 12-inches. For smaller cuts, the CS250S chainsaw goes non-stop, cutting up to 125 two to three inch branches on a single charge. This performance may vary with user technique, chain sharpness, size and type of wood. At just under 10 pounds, the PowerNow Chainsaw is lightweight, easily portable and offers ergonomic comfort. The PowerNow Chainsaw starts instantly with the pull of a trigger, no pull cords, no gas, and no warm-up times. The PowerNow Chainsaw features the PowerSharp built-in chain sharpening system so you'll never cut with a dull chain again. When the chain dulls, simply pull the PowerSharp Lever for 3 to 5 seconds with the saw running and the chain will work like new. The Oregon PowerNow CS250S Chainsaw Kit features the 1.25Ah B500S 40V MAX Battery Pack. The B500S has no memory effect, charge maintenance and full discharge is NOT necessary to retain consistent capacity throughout the life of the battery. A completely discharged battery pack will take approximately 60 minutes to charge.

Technical Details

- Powerful 40-volt battery-operated chainsaw with tough 14-inch bar
- Long-lasting standard lithium-ion battery pack provides no-fade power
- Powers through logs as large as 10 to 12 inches; instant trigger-pull start
- Trims up to 125 2- to 3-inch branches on single charge; built-in chain sharpening system
- 60-minute charging time; weighs 9.5 pounds (with guide bar, chain, and battery)

I walk my property with my dog frequently and am forever seeing trimming and cutting that I want to accomplish. I never want to gas up, oil and use my Stihl 038 Magnum immediately upon seeing a trim job. It is too heavy and loud for the quick trimming of a limb or the fast work of a downed branch.

I had the opportunity to sample this saw recently and I must say it is excellent.

The saw itself is very light in comparison to my Stihl. I found myself climbing up my ladder with it off, setting up under the branch I wanted to cut, pressing in the safety and then the trigger and quickly cutting what I needed.

I like that the saw is not continuously running. It is safer while walking with it and especially when among a brush pile where one can trip up easily.

I practice "self - preservation" so I try to work smart and avoid accidents with power tools, especially chain saws. I never like walking with a running saw, you trip up and that is when issues can occur. My comfort level with this tool was such that I could lift the saw above my head frequently to cut high branches, the weight was nice and after cutting I would release the trigger thus stopping the chain. With my gas saw I am always nervous about doing this and possibly bringing the saw down onto my leg while the chain is spinning. A heavy saw comes down quicker and you fatigue after using it but I really feel comfortable doing MORE work with the battery saw as when you release the trigger it is off and thus safe.

Because you power it on only when you need it, the battery life was very good. I cut all that I set out to cut and had power to spare. I had two batteries and worked with one for approximately an hour before swapping to the second. I cut a lot with battery 1 and was very happy with the performance.

One surprise bonus is the noise level being so much less with this tool, you do not have the constant drone and buzz of a gas saw.
The day I cut was a summer day near a lake where sound travels and people tend to be relaxing on vacation. This saw is not intrusive and I never felt guilty for getting work done in a densely populated area of summer cottages. Mental fatigue is lessened too because you are not working with all that noise. While cutting I had a partner with me helping, It was nice being able to communicate while working. With no continuous back-round noise it was easier to talk and plan cuts and what we wanted to trim.

The durability of the saw, the build quality, and the way it could cut is fantastic. I started cutting 2" and 4" limbs and then worked up to larger 4" and 6" and larger. Eventually I was so pleased with the tool that I tackled a 10" pine and dropped it with ease.

I expected it to be a pruning saw, what I found was that it could do much more and easily could replace my Stihl for 90% of the jobs I do. Only when a large tree 12" + needs to be dropped or cut up would I now feel the need to break out the gas saw. Everything else this battery saw can handle and handle nicely.

I tried the easy to use quick sharpen feature once in the middle of my 2 hours of work. I loved it. It worked ....Nuff said,

In short, if you want to make quick work of cutting and trimming around your house....doing preventative maintenance rather than waiting for storms to take down limbs and branches, then this saw is for you. It is much faster, cleaner and quieter to use than a gas saw so you won't wait to do work, you can grab it and go, cut and be done with ease.

As a surgeon i had some fear of owning a chainsaw. I felt that a battery powered one might be more controllable. I was right! the saw is easy to handle and has great safety features and a useful guide on how to perform basic cuts. The noreaster left me with several immoveable oak tree limbs strew about my property. the landscaper would have charged me 400.00 to remove them. so i thought i'd invest in the chainsaw and do it myself and have the saw for future uses. The large 14 inch bed sliced through 6 inch diameter limbs and i was out there an hour cutting and discarding and never had to recharge it. I strongly rec. this product especially for amateurs and paul bunyon types alike

Bought this for girlfriend who can handle regular gas chainsaw as well as me but cant get one started. It doesnt develop as much chain speed as a typical gas chainsaw but for a small job, the convenience can't be beat. Cuts through a pretty good pile of 6-8" firewood on one charge. Don't waste time and money on a smaller battery saw- get this one.

Saw cuts good for six inch diameter log, but it only cuts for seven minutes. I complained and got an extra battery free.
Maybe the better battery cuts longer, but I can't invest the extra money. Perhaps it should have been sold with the better battery