Bought a Husky 525LST midway through last year and disliked it due to extra weight and having a bitey snappy, edgy flowing motor. At brand new a full outer shaft and inner drive went in too under warranty in the first week.
Ok so now its run in as I've had to use it.
Had me operational 4.1kg 323L in for some repairs and used the 525LST and struggled to get a clean straight vertical edge due to the bitey, edgy motor of the 525LST. It's nowhere as smooth/clean running as the 323L.
The next is big one to me - Noise, whilst vertical edging with it, the 323L has a full length exhaust deflector to direct exhaust/noise away from the user somewhat. The 525LST has next to nothing to deflect from the user in comparision to the 323L.
With the 525L having a useless short deflector moulded into the metal fabrication. I have seriously noticed the noise in the right ear even using roll & push in Prochoice Cat 5's plugs and the increase in noise has caused some discomfort. Have ordered the other day some better summer hearing protection from "Combined Safety Solutions" in Nowra NSW for summer use which I should have tomorrow.
Also have a 2nd 323L that needs a major rebuild including carb/butterfly assembly & piston and will certainly being putting it in to the workshop soon regardless of cost.
Just thought I would share the above.