A little over a year ago I gave in and bought the top handle husky and 4 batteries. I wanted to run it for a while before giving much advice on it. I have only started a gas top handle once since buying the electric. That was when I forgot all but one battery at home. It won't hang with a 200t. More in line with the 150 power wise.
The best thing for me is not having to breathe exhaust all day anymore. Being quiter is nice. No vibration made a bigger difference than I thought. You can make a cut and sit it down on a limb or the bucket or a roof and it won't vibrate away. Not having to pull start 800 times a day is nice. Especially when in a precarious position out on the end of a limb. One battery is about equivalent to a tank of gas.
No more worrying about carbs, fuel lines, fuel filters, air filters, the savings in fuel which is minimal but it does add up. Keep it sharp and it cuts just fine. If it gets the least bit dull it won't cut near as good and you'll go through batteries faster.
As far as longevity of the saw itself and battery life, I'm almost a year and a half in and absolutely no problems or complaints at all. The chain tensioner could be better. Typical husky tensioner. Kinda finicky but you get used to it. I don't see the electrics replacing my bigger saws anytime soon. I do have to swap to the 261 a little sooner than I would have with the 200. But not enough to really make a difference. My wrists and elbows have completely quit hurting. After a few years of them bothering me I thought that was just the way it was going to be from here on. I contribute that to the saw being lighter and no vibration.
I would buy it again today if I didn't have it. Plus I'm looking into the pole saw and blower since I already have the batteries. My dad has the stihl rear handle. It can't hang with he husky top handle but it's still nice to have on the ground to pick up and cut a few limbs and keep the area around the tree clean.
