Brand Spankin New Dewalt 20-V Tools

[Stuey]

Just posted up about Dewalt's new 20V Max cordless tools over at ToolGuyd, complete with photos of all the new tools. Detailed previews are going to take a bit longer for me to crank out.

I had a chance to test them all out at B&D's training facility, and I loved the ergonomics and features of the tools. Although the tools carry over traits from the 18V line, the new packages are generally better across the board.

Here's what the new battery looks like. Because of the different geometry compared to the 18V stem packs some of you are familiar with, the engineers had almost free reign in redesigning the grip and balance of the tools.

The tools almost look like scaled-up versions of the 12V max lineup, which is a great thing b/c some tools like the impact driver carryover the kick-*** features I like, such as the ability to natively grip 1" insert bits.

 

[BQuicksilver]

I'm really not too excited about this. Nothing wrong enough with the XRP line to stop making it. I understand there are some Li-Ion advantages, but not enough to abandon the millions of XRP owners who may just go Bosch if we need to switch systems alltogether.

 

[Stuey]

I'm really not too excited about this. Nothing wrong enough with the XRP line to stop making it. I understand there are some Li-Ion advantages, but not enough to abandon the millions of XRP owners who may just go Bosch if we need to switch systems alltogether.

Don't worry, they're not abandoning their 18V and XRP users. Dewalt will continue both lines into the future until user demand no longer calls for it.

The marketing rep kept stressing this and that they still sell batteries for a tool discontinued in 1994.

Both platforms will be maintained, although after look at specs and seeing performance and feature differences firsthand, I think that pros will slowly upgrade to the 20V Max line.

Plus, it will take a long time for more of the 18V tools to be redesigned for the new form factor.