My old Husqvarna is dead.

So I'm going to get a Stihl. Homeowner, light to moderate use. 14"-16" bar. I don't have any practical need for a bigger saw. Small trees, limbs, but substantial enough to handle bigger tasks if the need arises such as storm debris. Looking at the options there are several candidates. The C-BE models have good marketing but I don't know much about it other than it sounds good.

See the screenshot below. I'm leaning towards the MS 180 C-BE. But I've always heard good things about the little MS 170 too.
What says Aldeer?

I’ve had a 180C for 5 or 6 years. It’s been a good saw. I put a new carburetor on it last year but they aren’t expensive. I like it because it’s easy to start. I hate yanking on a pull rope of something that won’t start.

I don’t know if it’s worth it from where you live but they’re cheaper in Tn. My pole saw was 70 dollars less up there.

170

Take cash and will give you a 3% discount. Jew them cause they will take 3% off! Every stihl dealer always gave me 3% off no matter where i went. Especially if you tell them the other dealer offered me 3% off with cash payment. They do it to all my friends too so it must be common practice.

I wouldn't get a homeowner Stihl smaller than a 251, but that's just me.

I've had a ms170 for several years, kind of cheap made but it does what its supposed to.

I used to sell them and I've sold everything from a 170 to a 880.

My all time favorite are the arborist saws the 192 and 200

I would not get a Homeowner grade saw from anyone Stihl included.

Got a MS 271 Farm Boss and wouldn't want one any smaller for an all around saw. It's heavy for trimming but will walk through a big log.

If all I was doing was trimming and basic yard work and a small tree every so often I'd look REAL HARD at the 58v cordless stuff. Same battery and charger fits a split boom trimmer (that will accept all the attachments the gas split boom will), and a blower and a hedge trimmer. At least that's how it works with Echo cordless tools and I'd bet Stihl is the same way.

Ditto, I have an older saw that I can't recall the model, but I told the guy that I wanted a comparable newer model. He said anything on the lower end in the homeowner models was pretty under powered compared to the older one I had. I went with the 271 farm boss and that saw is stout.

Y'all trying to make sure I spend $$

You are basically buying something that is engineered to have a limited service life.

I am not picking on Stihl all the big boys make a homeowner grade now.

I wanted the specs on the power head life. When they first started putting out homeowner grade they would give you the specs on the life of the powerhead. The price was attractive why not give it a shot? After I had one die and another need a carb before the paint got scratched.... I was curious. The model which I had... dealer told me was good for around 40hrs. If you think about it most homeowners would not run a saw 40 hours of actual run time in probably 10 years.

That's what you are buying. Be advised.

I wasn't mad about it. I was mad I tried to save a dollar when there are some things you just don't skimp on. Small engines is one of those things in my book.

This! Buy a commercial model. I have a Shindiawa 747 that I've had since '94, still running strong!
I also have a Husqvarna, a Stihl, and a Tanaka that have all seen some hard use, and I cranked everything a ran it this morning.
A tip for you...never run ethanol in a chainsaw...use 'real' gas ONLY...and never store it with gas still in the tank.

https://www.stihlusa.com/WebContent/CMSFileLibrary/710x150HeaderImages/scale-chainsaws.jpg

Maybe this will help.

I've had my 180c since about 2002. Stihl going strong. Pun intended. I've replaced the bar and chain several times and a double handful of plugs and air filters over the years but never had to put anything else on it yet. It's about ready for a new carburetor now though.

271. It is a bit heavy but it’ll chew up some wood.

I've had both prof and homeowner 250 for years and never had any problem with my 250..i use it more than the prof 362 cuz it's smaller...but there is a big difference in quality and repair ability between the 2

I’ve got the MS180. Had it for a couple of years, and it’s handled everything you’ve stated you need. I see you’re in the Chelsea area, go buy it from Brown Lumber in Columbiana and get their warranty. They handle it in house and if they can’t fix it, they’ll give you a new one.

I have a 170 with a 16" bar I bought for a spare. Its nothing compared to the older similar size 026. The 170 is made very light. it works just fine but i bet the 20 yr old 026 will outlast the new 170.

Always go a little bigger than you think you will need!
18" should serve you well!