Dewalt 20v v Bosch v Milwaukee Fuel 18v???

Gore · Jan 6, 2013

My C3 drill has about had it and it's time to step up to a serious drill. Of course it only starts out with the drill...then it's an impact...then it's a 1/2" impact...then it's a grinder...then it's a etc..., you get it (I have almost every single C3 cordless tool, lol). I want to start building a new line of cordless tools so I would like for the batteries to be compatible. My first purchase will be the drill/driver (probably a hammer drill version) and I have narrowed it down to these 3 options because they have good reps and a wide range of other tools that would use the same battery.

I do a little of bit of everything...not professionally, but I don't want to "settle" for "good enough"...what am I saying...this is garagejournal...you guys get it :beer:

Convince me which one I should buy...or even better...why I should NOT buy one of these lines.

P.S. - Yeesh...I guess Makita should be considered too...

firebox40dash5 · Jan 6, 2013

My top choice would be the Fuel. Dewalt, IMO, is behind the curve in lithium ion and brushless technology. I was kind of wondering if they were going to take the opportunity to introduce newer stuff than everyone else and leapfrog them, but not so much. Milwaukee and Makita both have a few BL tools, Makita's on their 3rd or so iteration... Dewalt has one, they just came out with.

Oh, and Milwaukee has 2AH compact/4AH large batteries, which I haven't seen from anyone else. Not that 1.5/3.0AH batteries usually seriously limit runtime, but there's no such thing as too much overkill.

Also, since when does Makita have a limited tool selection? Milwaukee definitely rules there (I could fill a truck with M18 and M12 tools I'd like to own) but I'd put Makita ahead of Dewalt for selection.

Gore · Jan 6, 2013

firebox40dash5 said:
My top choice would be the Fuel. Dewalt, IMO, is behind the curve in lithium ion and brushless technology. I was kind of wondering if they were going to take the opportunity to introduce newer stuff than everyone else and leapfrog them, but not so much. Milwaukee and Makita both have a few BL tools, Makita's on their 3rd or so iteration... Dewalt has one, they just came out with.

Oh, and Milwaukee has 2AH compact/4AH large batteries, which I haven't seen from anyone else. Not that 1.5/3.0AH batteries usually seriously limit runtime, but there's no such thing as too much overkill.

Also, since when does Makita have a limited tool selection? Milwaukee definitely rules there (I could fill a truck with M18 and M12 tools I'd like to own) but I'd put Makita ahead of Dewalt for selection.

Thanks for your input, and you're 100% correct..Makita does have an extensive cordless variety, but they are not as readily available at big box stores so I would have to order anything I wanted. I actually have an in-law that works for them, lol...but I won't ask him for a deal so that's not a factor.

firebox40dash5 · Jan 6, 2013

I usually order bare tools from Amazon, they generally have great prices and if I'm not supporting a local business, I'd rather support Amazon than a big box store. I have Makita, and all I've bought from a big box store was a kit from the clearance aisle at HD, it was cheaper than buying a pair of batteries.

FWIW, I mostly bought Makita because A) they had a great offer at the time, a free extra tool and a free extra battery when you buy a set and B) at the time, Milwaukee didn't have their awesome stuff, as well as about half their current selection. If I knew then that Milwaukee was going to improve so much, I would have bought Milwaukee.

Gore · Jan 6, 2013

firebox40dash5 said:
I usually order bare tools from Amazon, they generally have great prices and if I'm not supporting a local business, I'd rather support Amazon than a big box store. I have Makita, and all I've bought from a big box store was a kit from the clearance aisle at HD, it was cheaper than buying a pair of batteries.

FWIW, I mostly bought Makita because A) they had a great offer at the time, a free extra tool and a free extra battery when you buy a set and B) at the time, Milwaukee didn't have their awesome stuff, as well as about half their current selection. If I knew then that Milwaukee was going to improve so much, I would have bought Milwaukee.

Makes sense..and I do order quite a bit from Amazon. I edited my original post now to include Makita. Man...there are a bunch of great tools out right now, makes choosing that much more difficult.

On a side note, there are a lot of great M12 Milwaukee tools that I want, so I could see getting a different brand of 18-20v drill and then getting the M12 stuff...namely the 3/8" ratchet and impact...aargh...so...many...options

firebox40dash5 · Jan 6, 2013

Honestly, I'm not impressed with the Makita batteries. I've got a total of 5 big ones and 2 compacts, the compacts are fine, but 4 of the big ones are dead, including one from the HD kit in less than a month. I need to get around to seeing what they'll warranty, but I still don't think that failure rate is acceptable. All the dead ones died within 18 months.

I don't think I'd stray from Makita, Milwaukee or Dewalt if tool variety is a concern, and Milwaukee would definitely be the top choice. None of them are super-high quality, but all are better than typical Craftsman/Ryobi/Panasonic junk. If I've got the money, I'll probably get an M18 Fuel impact and drill when another Makita pack dies, then try to warranty some batteries and sell the Makita stuff.

kngelv · Jan 6, 2013

I'm a big fan of the 20v DeWalt. I actually like Milwaukee's 12v line better than their 18v. I've used every major cordless impact and the 20v DeWalt has the best balance, lighting and power. In 12v I own Bosch becuase I got a great deal but I think Milwaukee has a better 12v lineup. At 18-20v I think the DeWalt tools are better than the eqivalent Milwaukee.

James

jim2664258 · Jan 6, 2013

You can't go wrong with any of your choices, just make sure all the tools you want are available from that manufacturer. The Milwaukee Fuel are probably the best, but honestly I don't think most people need brushless. You are replacing everything, so now is the time to think about that of course - if you want the extra run time or really use them a lot, then the fuel line is a great choice.

I have all Bosch stuff and I can highly recommend it (12V or 18V) - but as I said, you can't really go wrong with any of the brands you are considering.

shoturtle · Jan 6, 2013

All three brands are nice, but get the one that has the tool you want to add in 18-20v.

Gore · Jan 6, 2013

Thanks for the input guys. I like the specs on the Milwaukee Fuel drill, I am curious to see what else they add to the M18 line.

chris6278 · Jan 6, 2013

Definitely go with milwaukee. I just got a couple of their new 4.0ah batteries and they are awesome

cheechi · Jan 6, 2013

Between those two, Dewalt. You can buy bare tools from Lowe's, kits from Lowe's or HD, plus any other store (Northern, FF&S, TSC, Sears) as well as Amazon. So if something breaks you have more options.

If downtime isn't important, you have a choice. Otherwise, Dewalt every day of the week.

Personally I prefer Bosch 18v over both.

rkevins · Jan 6, 2013

if you like the C3 tools and have a lot of them whynot buy a new C3 lith-ion drill with the newer batteries, that's what my dad did. if you do change what are you going to do with the old C3 stuff?

Gore · Jan 6, 2013

cheechi said:
Between those two, Dewalt.

Personally I prefer Bosch 18v over both.

Actually it's between Dewalt, Bosch, Milwaukee, or Makita.

Would you still choose Bosch? If so, why, if you don't me asking?

Gore · Jan 6, 2013

rkevins said:
if you like the C3 tools and have a lot of them whynot buy a new C3 lith-ion drill with the newer batteries, that's what my dad did. if you do change what are you going to do with the old C3 stuff?

I actually have a couple of lithium batteries and they did help a bit, plus I have a gift card for Sears that I plan to use to buy the big XCP 19.2v battery to try it as well. It will be the last last attempt to make use of things like the 7 1/4 circ saw which is just a battery killer.

It's not that I "like" the C3 tools as much as I got them for a great deal at a time when I needed tools desperately. I think they have their place as a basic homeowner's type of kit , but the drill could use some extra grunt.

I don't know what I will do with them...probably sell them as I replace them. I think I have the:drill/driver, hammer drill, 1/4 impact, 1/2 impact, right angle drill, planer, blower/vac, hand held vac (dustbuster), light, radio, spiral saw, 7 1/4" circ saw, recip saw, sander, laminate trimmer, staple gun, jig saw, inflator...I think that's. Better yet...I think I need help :eyecrazy:

shoturtle · Jan 6, 2013

Gore said:
Thanks for the input guys. I like the specs on the Milwaukee Fuel drill, I am curious to see what else they add to the M18 line.

Just the impactor right now. Not much else in 18v fuel

shoturtle · Jan 6, 2013

Gore said:
Actually it's between Dewalt, Bosch, Milwaukee, or Makita.

Would you still choose Bosch? If so, why, if you don't me asking?

I used to use dewalt but switch over to bosch.

They have an extensive collection of 18v tools, and have 6 batteries for them, slim, 2.6, 3 and 4 AMH battery. While the slim pack is not that long legged. It lets the tools get into tighter places.

I have bosch over the milwaukee fuel, because they have more tools I need. Only milwaukee has more 12v options then bosch, and they shear product development between each other in the 12v range on some stuff.

itguy08 · Jan 7, 2013

I'm doing the same as you - upgrading my C3 stuff as it dies off. Milwaukee Fuel any day of the week and twice on Sunday. I have the hammerdrill and the thing is a beast! Battery life is great and Milwaukee has a great selection of tools in the 18v platform. There are more Fuel stuff in the pipeline like an impact wrench. The new 2.0/4.0Ah batteries look to be very good and are starting to show up. I've also got the hackzall and the vaccum and they both work very very well.

Never been a DeWalt fan. And their latest tricks of 20v really being 18v and not using torque as a spec make me wonder what they are hiding. I'm sure they were good back in the late 90's/early 2000's but even then you could pick up a B&D Firestorm that used 99% of the same parts as a DeWalt for a lot less money. From what I've seen there has not been much innovation from them in a long time.

buening · Jan 7, 2013

Depends on your budget. Have you priced the Milwaukee Fuel tools? I haven't seen any combo sets yet (I could be blind), and a single impact tool is $260+. To get an impact and a drill combo, you'll be into the pair $400 assuming you are buying the second tool bare. A brushed tool drill and driver combo by Milwaukee/Dewalt/Bosch will set you back $200, or approximately half the equivalent brushless set would. For a professional where battery life and power are important regardless of cost, then they are worth it. For an average homeowner who doesn't mind changing the battery or doesn't need ultimate power, then look at the brushed models. Keep in mind most kits have 30min battery chargers and most tools come with 2 batteries, so by the time you get one dead the other will likely be charged.

I prefer Bosch but their selection is somewhat limited. If you just need a drill and impact, hold all of the brands in your hand and see which one is more comfortable and feels right. The price between Dewalt/Makita/Bosch/milwaukee is similar for brushed-type drivers. If you need cordless circular saw or recip saw or etc, then look at what each brand offers.

itguy08 · Jan 7, 2013

buening said:
Depends on your budget. Have you priced the Milwaukee Fuel tools? I haven't seen any combo sets yet (I could be blind), and a single impact tool is $260+. To get an impact and a drill combo, you'll be into the pair $400 assuming you are buying the second tool bare.

True - they are expensive. I justified it to myself by: 1) this is my Christmas present to myself, 2) this will probably be one of the last drils I buy. ( yeah, right

)

For the impacter (and I think the drill), you can get the Fuel set at Home Depot with the slim batteries for $229. They are good for it, but you only get max torque with the larger batteries. They do have kits with both the drill and impact with both sets of batteries.

For me I got the drill with the large batteries. Alone, those batteries were over $100 each (when I got it at the end of last year) so for $100 I got the hammerdrill and charger. I can pick up a slim battery or 2 as funds allow.

It all depends how much you want to spend and where you see the system going and your needs growing. For me I think the M12/M18 platforms will be in it for the long haul. As would the Bosch and Makita. DeWalt seems to be jumping around a lot with their platforms (12v, 18v old school, 20v (18v), etc.).

But the most important thing is how comfortable the tools feel in your hands. If they are not comfortable you will hate using them no matter how good the technology in them is.

rlitman · Jan 7, 2013

itguy08 said:
True - they are expensive. I justified it to myself by: 1) this is my Christmas present to myself, 2) this will probably be one of the last drils I buy. ( yeah, right )

For the impacter (and I think the drill), you can get the Fuel set at Home Depot with the slim batteries for $229. They are good for it, but you only get max torque with the larger batteries. They do have kits with both the drill and impact with both sets of batteries.

For me I got the drill with the large batteries. Alone, those batteries were over $100 each (when I got it at the end of last year) so for $100 I got the hammerdrill and charger. I can pick up a slim battery or 2 as funds allow.

Well, it may not be your last drill, but I justified switching from NiCd to LiIon, by realizing that the lithium batteries and the brushless motor will certainly last far longer than any of my previous cordless tools.

Actually, with the M18 impact driver, you get max power out of either size battery. The bigger batteries only make a power difference on the drill, but I have heard that the longevity of the larger battery packs is better (not just the runtime), because the high current draws tend to shorten the lifetimes of the smaller packs.

I bought my Fuel drill when it came out, with a deal that you get a 3rd battery free. Then I happened across another M18 battery at a pawn shop for dirt cheap.
So when I bought my impact driver, I just got it as a bare tool.

Spudland_Dave · Jan 7, 2013

I'd go with the Milwaukee M18 setup myself...I should say, thats exactly what I did...
IMO the M18 is at a point where its a great buy for a few reasons. I'm a techie so I think of alot of things in technical terms...so technologically things come & go...the M18 system is in a sweet spot where they've been around long enough to be proven winners, and the future is still bright. Any of the NiCad DeWalt stuff you know is not gonna be around for much longer when even the store brands are all Lithium Ion.

Another thing with the Milwaukee setup is they got the old school and new school (Fuel) tools available. So if you need something for a few times and dont want to spend big bucks, buying the old school tool only version might be a better option..on something like a 1/4" impactor splurge on the Fuel version. I got my impactor before Fuel was invented, so its an old school...but my new drill is the Fuel. BEAUTIFUL. I really wish I had the Fuel Impactor, but I just cant garbage the one I have because it still works mint.

I've used the Milwaukee Fuel Impactor and my dad has the DeWalt 20v Brushless Impactor...IMO the DeWalt should be molded in Pink Plastic and say Fisher Price on the side of it. Well...mebbe I'm exxagerating a bit there..LOL. But I do feel the Milwaukee is a much better piece. I am obviously biased because I've got my own fleet of Milwaukee's, I love the grip/feel/etc of the Milwaukee.

buening · Jan 7, 2013

Ahhhh, indeed they do have combo kits! Looks like $400 from Home Depot with standard capacity batteries: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...ord=milwaukee+fuel&storeId=10051#.UOsFS6zNl8E

#1SomeGuy · Jan 7, 2013

I'm surprised that there's so little love for Dewalt and that everyone is saying Milwaukee has a bunch of things they don't. Dewalt has brushless (they were first IIRC), has various sized lithium packs, and a great selection of different tools. Almost all 20v kits actually are 18v, it's just a marketing thing...but Dewalt did it as a chance to change to a newer style battery pack (slide on rather than the stick type).

In any case, both are excellent options and I doubt you'll really find that much benefit in having one over the other. My recommendation would be to go hold the tools in your hand and see which one feels the best...I like the 18v Dewalt stuff, I don't like the 20v as much...a friend of mine has the M18 lineup and it's decent but not nearly as balanced in my hands.

Spudland_Dave · Jan 7, 2013

#1SomeGuy said:
I'm surprised that there's so little love for Dewalt and that everyone is saying Milwaukee has a bunch of things they don't. Dewalt has brushless (they were first IIRC), has various sized lithium packs, and a great selection of different tools. Almost all 20v kits actually are 18v, it's just a marketing thing...but Dewalt did it as a chance to change to a newer style battery pack (slide on rather than the stick type).

In any case, both are excellent options and I doubt you'll really find that much benefit in having one over the other. My recommendation would be to go hold the tools in your hand and see which one feels the best...I like the 18v Dewalt stuff, I don't like the 20v as much...a friend of mine has the M18 lineup and it's decent but not nearly as balanced in my hands.

Actually, Makita was the first Brushless (Impactor Only) followed up by Milwaukee...DeWalt was the last to the party.

Prior to my Milwaukee, I had Makita... My biggest problem/comment with the Makita is, EXCELLENT Tool, absouletly junk batteries. Had to buy 2 new batteries almost every year, and EVERY Flippin time I needed my drill or whatever, you guessed it, the battery was dead. You know how akward it is installing tiny window drapes with a 1/2" Milwaukee Magnum Holeshooter?
I got my first Milwaukee M18 back in 2009...since then I've never said a single bad word about em.
All kidding and brand loyalty aside, as 1SomeGuy said.. none of the bands you mentioned will be bad units.

#1SomeGuy · Jan 7, 2013

Spudland_Dave said:
Actually, Makita was the first Brushless (Impactor Only) followed up by Milwaukee...DeWalt was the last to the party.

Prior to my Milwaukee, I had Makita... My biggest problem/comment with the Makita is, EXCELLENT Tool, absouletly junk batteries. Had to buy 2 new batteries almost every year, and EVERY Flippin time I needed my drill or whatever, you guessed it, the battery was dead. You know how akward it is installing tiny window drapes with a 1/2" Milwaukee Magnum Holeshooter?
I got my first Milwaukee M18 back in 2009...since then I've never said a single bad word about em.
All kidding and brand loyalty aside, as 1SomeGuy said.. none of the bands you mentioned will be bad units.

My mistake...just doing some googling, found this interesting read for those not entirely familiar with the details of impact drivers and brushless ones:
http://www.toolreviews.ca/tool_guide/brushless_ID/brushless_ID.html

rlitman · Jan 7, 2013

Spudland_Dave said:
Actually, Makita was the first Brushless (Impactor Only) followed up by Milwaukee...DeWalt was the last to the party.

Of the bunch being considered on this thread, Makita was indeed first. I believe that DeWalt had its brushless impact out before Milwaukee's drill, but Milwaukee now has both. Does DeWalt even have a brushless drill yet? I don't think so. Milwaukee now has brushless in 18V and 12V.

Anyway, none of these were the first. I don't know who was, but I do know that Festool has been doing brushless for many years now.

shoturtle · Jan 7, 2013

panasonic, bosch and festool all heve brushless out for a while now.

itguy08 · Jan 7, 2013

rlitman said:
Anyway, none of these were the first. I don't know who was, but I do know that Festool has been doing brushless for many years now.

Yeah I heard it was Panasonic in the late 90s or early 2000's.

cheechi · Jan 7, 2013

Gore said:
Would you still choose Bosch? If so, why, if you don't me asking?

Here are several reasons why

Short version is the basic stuff that I use is just better in Bosch. So much so that it goes against my argument above for Dewalt. If I was a contractor, I would go Dewalt just for the wide availability. If there's a drill that does 5% better at this or a router that's slightly better at that, it's negligible for them.

For me, I get the best for the money and at the time I bought my drills & impactor, they were the best. Since, the brushless are better, and Bosch's brushelss will become part of my collection the first time I can afford them. On that note, I've known plenty of guys that have DeWalt drills go through 2 or even 3 chucks before the drill dies. Friend of mine has a NiCad Bosch with the same original chuck that outlasted those DeWalt drills.

Why I didn't go with M18 or Makita: between Lowe's & Amazon, I can get Bosch or DeWalt stuff on sale at about 3 to 2 tools for my money vs what I've seen the best sale price of either M18 or Makita. I happened to be buying stuff either as it went on sale or as I needed it, I understand you may not have that luxury.

And in case you think I'm biased, I've replaced my Cman 12v Nextec stuff with M12. I'm not anti-Milwaukee.

Gore · Jan 7, 2013

cheechi said:
Here are several reasons why

Short version is the basic stuff that I use is just better in Bosch. So much so that it goes against my argument above for Dewalt. If I was a contractor, I would go Dewalt just for the wide availability. If there's a drill that does 5% better at this or a router that's slightly better at that, it's negligible for them.

For me, I get the best for the money and at the time I bought my drills & impactor, they were the best. Since, the brushless are better, and Bosch's brushelss will become part of my collection the first time I can afford them. On that note, I've known plenty of guys that have DeWalt drills go through 2 or even 3 chucks before the drill dies. Friend of mine has a NiCad Bosch with the same original chuck that outlasted those DeWalt drills.

Why I didn't go with M18 or Makita: between Lowe's & Amazon, I can get Bosch or DeWalt stuff on sale at about 3 to 2 tools for my money vs what I've seen the best sale price of either M18 or Makita. I happened to be buying stuff either as it went on sale or as I needed it, I understand you may not have that luxury.

And in case you think I'm biased, I've replaced my Cman 12v Nextec stuff with M12. I'm not anti-Milwaukee.

Thanks for the detailed response. I didn't take it as you were against Milwaukee...fwiw. I actually have always thought that Bosch had a great rep and I think right now I am pretty much between Milwaukee and Bosch. I have enough C3 stuff to hold me over so that I can buy stuff as it pops up on sale in other brands.

I also went tonight and used a gift card I had to buy the new XCP 4AH battery for my C3 line. I don't think it will make my C3 an M18 competitor by any means, but it will get some use with my other stuff...namely the circ saw ( which is the absolute worst batter killer ever!!! ).

My in-law that works for Makita has mentioned that older generation lithium ion batteries were not meant to discharged rapidly and that using them on tools that kill batteries quickly can greatly reduce their life. He mentioned that newer lithium batteries are being made to compensate for this dilemma. Has anyone heard of this?

itguy08 · Jan 8, 2013

Gore said:
I also went to night and used a gift card I had to buy the new XCP 4AH battery for my C3 line. I don't think it will make my C3 an M18 competitor by any means, but it will get some use with my other stuff...namely the circ saw ( which is the absolute worst batter killer ever!!! ).

I've got that saw (the 7.5" version) and the 4AH battery and it takes the saw to a whole new level. It was barely adequate with the NiCad batteries, OK with the big lithium, but it's a much better tool with the XCP.

Gore · Jan 8, 2013

itguy08 said:
I've got that saw (the 7.5" version) and the 4AH battery and it takes the saw to a whole new level. It was barely adequate with the NiCad batteries, OK with the big lithium, but it's a much better tool with the XCP.

Do you mean the 7.25 saw? That's the one I have. I like the saw for a lot of reasons...it takes a standard size blade...it's right handed without being a worm drive...it's fairly light and portable...BUT...trying to cut a piece of plywood with it is a lesson in futility. I was making a cabinet this weekend and it you could just feel the power draining within one long cut.

I am glad to hear that the new battery will help with this. I own a few older gen slim lithium batteries, but I try to avoid using them after I heard that a rapid discharge will kill them quickly. If this battery doesn't make the saw more usable I am done with cordless saws altogether...it will be time for a mag77 or something similar.

firebox40dash5 · Jan 8, 2013

Gore said:
My in-law that works for Makita has mentioned that older generation lithium ion batteries were not meant to discharged rapidly and that using them on tools that kill batteries quickly can greatly reduce their life. He mentioned that newer lithium batteries are being made to compensate for this dilemma. Has anyone heard of this?

Rapid discharge or super-deep discharge will kill them fast. If you don't know, Makita "keys" a lot of the high-draw tools, like the recip saw, grinder, circ saw, and the 454 hammerdrill, so the slim packs won't fit. I cut the little key off most of mine, but I keep in mind that I shouldn't use the slim packs, and try to keep from beating on them if I do.

From what I've read, the killer of Makita packs was the logic board. There's a little board that monitors the individual cells, charge cycles, etc. Word on the street was that they powered this circuit board off of one cell, rather than the whole pack... and one of the things it monitors is the balance of the cells. Leave it sitting, it discharges that one cell more than the rest, and the charger reads it as a bad pack... doh! Hopefully they changed that if it's indeed true.

itguy08 · Jan 8, 2013

Gore said:
Do you mean the 7.25 saw? That's the one I have. I like the saw for a lot of reasons...it takes a standard size blade...it's right handed without being a worm drive...it's fairly light and portable...BUT...trying to cut a piece of plywood with it is a lesson in futility. I was making a cabinet this weekend and it you could just feel the power draining within one long cut.

I am glad to hear that the new battery will help with this. I own a few older gen slim lithium batteries, but I try to avoid using them after I heard that a rapid discharge will kill them quickly. If this battery doesn't make the saw more usable I am done with cordless saws altogether...it will be time for a mag77 or something similar.

That's the one - for some reason I had 7.5" on the brain. Yeah it will help a lot with the tool. I know what you mean about the power draining on long cuts. It was really bad with the NiCad but with the big LiIon and the 4.0Ah it's not that bad at all.

Monte · Jan 8, 2013

cheechi · Jan 8, 2013

I love you Monte.

Gore · Jan 8, 2013

Whats the word on a brushless drill/driver from Bosch?

Spudland_Dave · Jan 8, 2013

firebox40dash5 said:
Rapid discharge or super-deep discharge will kill them fast. If you don't know, Makita "keys" a lot of the high-draw tools, like the recip saw, grinder, circ saw, and the 454 hammerdrill, so the slim packs won't fit. I cut the little key off most of mine, but I keep in mind that I shouldn't use the slim packs, and try to keep from beating on them if I do.

The Milwaukee M18 uses a "Smart" Battery & Tool...the tool knows what battery is attached and adjusts tool performance accordingly. Thus the reason for performance differences between the Slim and XC Batteries.
Those brains are also used to control discharge/recharge, temprature, overloading..etc.. Coming from the crappy Makita battery system, I think the Milwaukee system is just slicker then snot. What I like best...for a hobbyist who uses his tools here & there, whenever I pick up a Milwaukee Battery/tool its ALWAYS Charged just like how I left it.

buening · Jan 8, 2013

One thing I like about the Bosch Core Impact (which isn't released yet), is the 1/2" socket-ready chuck....something the Milwaukee and others don't offer

Dewalt 20v v Bosch v Milwaukee Fuel 18v???

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