HD: Ryobi Tek4 rapid charger $14.06

[Ign]

I learned on the board somewhere awhile back that the Tek4 stuff needs 24? hours to fully charge. They've always had a rapid charger which apparently has the necessary "smarts" to more rapidly charge these little batteries without blowing them up, but it was $40.

For quite some time my store has had it marked down to $34.97 but no one cared (myself included). Well now it's at $14.06. I grabbed one for no good reason; I have a few Tek4 measuring instruments but its not like they're high-draw.

I had to blow a ton of dust off the packaging, I mean like found-a-book-of-magic-spells-in-the-attic in-the-movies level of dust.

 

[Ign]

Also this reflects "not sold" at my store thru the website and still shows the price of $34.97, so just like most HD clearance deals I think you have to just go look.

 

[Ign]

Just plugged it in, the Tek4 logo is backlighted LOL

 

[Galaxie]

Dang it, was going to check on this today and forgot. Didn't realize the regulars took that long to charge.

 

[Ign]

I'm not sure about the time. I thought I had read either 18 or 24 hours here on the board, but I can't find the thread. IIRC the packaging with the rapid charger said 5-6 hours for a normal charger and it can do it in 36 minutes.

I'm sure there are downloadable .pdf manuals out there for the normal chargers but I don't care to search for them. Even if it's 5-6 hours that's excessive in today's world of 30-45 minute chargers with Li-ion tools.

The rapid charger can also charge from a USB power source rather than a 110V receptacle (doesn't really help me).

 

[miketoo2]

Now even cheaper. YMMV

 

[Ign]

Now even cheaper. YMMV

Lol, my store has one left and its missing the battery from packaging damage or tampering.

I do like that this charger can be mounted to the wall and went ahead and mounted it in the shop. I definitely think they're canning the Tek4 line, my store has restocked none of it and the kiosk is looking barren.

 

[kythri]

Certain things, like the drill/driver I can see as being evergreen.

I went on a hunt for the rapid chargers when I saw they were being clearanced, and was able to pick up a couple.

The problem I see is that, while I loved how expansive the line was, it wasn't marketed well, and it wasn't marketed at the appropriate target.

Very rarely did the line get any kind of premium placement in the store, and it really seemed that they focused marketing on "Hey, check out this awesome little drill/driver, see how great and cheap it is?!" rather than "Check out this awesome line of inexepensive rugged little tools!"

Also, Home Depot has a MAJOR problem keeping stuff together. The TEK4 line really exemplified this. All of the different pieces were scattered about the store, rather than kept together. The One+ line suffers this as well, though not nearly as bad, since it usually earns a prominent endcap display where most of it can be consolidated.

I'm super happy to have been able to snag the laser distance measure and the ruggedized digital camera. Both of those tools, coupled with the common battery between them and the rest of the stuff I carry in my work bag, have proven invaluable.

 

[Ign]

I agree, it's scattered about my store somewhat too. I'm waiting for the infrared temp gun or inspection camera to go on clearance. I also like the idea of the radio headphones as I've been doing hours of sanding lately w ear protection on.

I love the laser distance measure for measuring between pipes where it's hard to eyeball the apex with a measure-stick-thingy.

If you haven't done so grab one of the tools like the flashlight which comes not w a rechargeable batt but the batt pack that accepts 3 AAA's; this way even if the batteries die and are NLA you can power the tools....and factor in something like Sanyo Enerloops and you're back to rechargeable (of course not thru the Tek4 charger I wouldn't think)

 

[nahuebsch82]

I got the rapid charger when I got the flashlight.....great light IMHO Also recently got the screwdriver for interior work

 

[Ign]

I got the rapid charger when I got the flashlight.....great light IMHO Also recently got the screwdriver for interior work

The right angle driver? They brought that out for the holidays which made us think Tek4 was making a comeback, but no. Pre-holiday was $50 which was way too much IMO. Now ones that are left are $30

 

[nahuebsch82]

The right angle driver? They brought that out for the holidays which made us think Tek4 was making a comeback, but no. Pre-holiday was $50 which was way too much IMO. Now ones that are left are $30

No not the right angle, this one: