1/4" impact hex driver features

[nbpt100]

I am looking to get a new 1/4 hex impact driver. It has been some time since I have looked at these and I see they are more refined since I bought one about 10 years ago.
Having 3 or 4 modes looks interesting. I have never used a 1/4 impact that has modes. It is a big benefit? Is it worth paying up to get 3 or 4 modes?

 

[sparky 1971]

I have two M12 Fuel and two M18 Fuel, one of the M18's is a Surge. I have never intentionally used them on anything other than the high setting. There have been a few times when the setting was accidentally changed, I didn't like it. The lower settings might be useful for detail work, but I don't do that.

 

[jsaw]

I have a Dewalt 12 volt . I really like the 3 modes. In the lowest power mode, it is just a driver with no impacting. It works good for small screws. I the highest setting, it is a brute. With as much power as my 3/8 impact.

 

[Komet]

I think so, I use all 4 modes on my m18 fuel impact driver to do various jobs on the car. It allows you to have the lightest possible hammering action for stuff that might not need 150ft lbs on it. The screw feature was really nice for assembling wooden wheel cribs.

Also, if you're using it more like a drill, the different speeds are handy. I have little 1/4 hex scrub brushes and buffer wheels that full speed is too much for, but speed 1 and 2 work nicely.