New Impact Driver or Wrench

[SM Racing]

Looking at a new impact driver or impact wrench. I currently have the 18V Lithium Ion Hitachi cordless drill and sawzall. Like it and have batteries and charger. I want to upgrade to a nicer impact driver. Options are:

The 18V ½in impact wrench
http://www.hitachipowertools.com/index/main-navigation/tools.aspx?d=2,307&p=579

The 18V Impact Driver
http://www.hitachipowertools.com/index/main-navigation/tools.aspx?d=2,307&p=578

With the impact driver I am limited to the hex drive bits, but it is probably more compact. With the Impact wrench I can run all manner of sockets and drivers. I will have to have adapters to run the smaller stuff which will add length, but it will have much better versatility, especially if I can carry it in a tool bag for junkyard and race track trips.


Thoughts?

I want to stick with Hitachi because I already have batteries and all my tools will be the same so batteries can interchange.

 

[runonbeer]

I recently purchased a Makita 18V impact driver (with the little quick lock drill chuck thing). I was in a pinch because my compressor broke and I had a whole slew of big jobs lined up and I wanted something for the interim while I waited on my new Quincy to show up from Northern.
Buying it, I was bummed about not getting the "wrench" version that I had so long dreamed about but the versatility soon became evident. At the same time, I bought a 3/8", 1/2", long Phillips and T-25 torx adapters.

The tool can't do everything but I bought it mainly for speed. I already broke the 1/2" adapter trying to push the tool too hard. But the versatility more than compensates for the weakness. I'm sure I would rather have the drill chuck version than the 3/8" arbor version.

Overall, I'm very happy with it. It's small and light and there is no hose hanging off of it.

Not just loving on Makita here. I'll bet the Hitachi is just as good.

 

[runonbeer]

By the way. Two weeks out and I have had zero communication from Northern or Quincy about the status of my $1600 compressor.

 

[runonbeer]

By the way by the way, I found out later that I could have, for only $30 more, gotten the impact driver + drill combo. Probably should've done that.