For the past few days we have been visiting the US Bosch Tools home office to see many of the tools that will be launching later this year and into 2012. The “biggest” launch of the event was their new line of Drills and Hammer Drills which consisted of 4 models: Brute Tough Hammer HDH181-01 ($319), Brute Tough Drill DDH181-01 ($299), Compact Tough Hammer HDS181-02 ($239) and finally Compact Tough Drill DDS181-02 ($199). These 4 models will replace the existing Brute Tough and Compact Tough models but join their Super Compact Drill DDB180-02 ($169, Ohio Power Tool) and Super Compact Hammer HDB180-02 ($199, Ohio Power Tool) for a total of 6 drill options in the Bosch 18v line up. This line up seems to make sense because it pretty much eliminates the need for a separate 14.4v offering keeping all batteries and chargers compatible. The new Bosch 18V Drills will be available soon shipping now.
Power to Weight
All the new drills see a good reduction in size and weight while losing the tilted tool angle which was not very popular in the last versions. On the power side there is a pretty nice increase there as well with torque rating up to 600 in-lbs for the Compact Tough and 700 in-lbs for Brute Tough models. This is due in part to the new 4 pole, 4 brush motors that not only make the tools more powerful but also more efficient in operation leading to more efficient battery usage. All in all this definitely puts the new Bosch Drills at the highest power to weight of any 18V units on the market today including the new DEWALT 20V Max tools.
Hard Knocks
Bosch has also gone back to their old favorites of torture test comparisons on how many falls from 12’ their tools can take vs the competition. While we do think it is a very solid testament to a tool when a hammer drill can take 25 drops onto concrete before breaking we are not convinced it’s a good stat for comparison testing. Our though is that any drop at the right angle from that height can end pretty much any tool so there is too much chance involved for accurate comparisons. To really drive the point home at the media event however they were not happy to simple drop the tool off a step ladder. Instead a helicopter flew in and chucked the drill and hammer drill from a very impressive 527’ in the air. It did land on grass but still a significant amount of force at that height and both worked great.
All Night Long
Certainly with less fireworks and hoopla than the Milwaukee Red Lithium or DEWALT 20V Max launches, Bosch simultaneously is upgrading their batteries to "High Capacity" or HC Batteries. All 3 manufacturers now claim 3.0Ah in their FatPack batteries as well as better cold weather performance. The Bosch batteries were actually frozen in blocks of ice, then broken out and used to prove this point. A big problem up north during the winters is that lithium ion simply cannot hold up to the temperature extremes as well as NiCd have. At 20F (-4C) the Bosch is claiming the lowest usable temperature beating out the Milwaukee by just a few degrees. DEWALT had not really mentioned this at all in their 20V Max launch but we would assume they would be in the same range.
To prove the new more efficient Bosch drill & battery combo would provide the longest runtime they actually had us break into 4 teams (Bosch, Milwaukee, DEWALT, Makita) and drive decks screws until the batteries dies, not the best way to spend an afternoon in 98 degree heat but they did make their point. The number of screws driven went as followed DEWALT (18V) 318, Makita 399, Milwaukee Red Lithium 423 and Bosch HC 519 the clear winner. Yes we did personally see them all fully charged prior to the test so we are pretty confident there was no funny business. Unfortunately we will have to do it all over again with the new DEWALT line and see where they come in. One other important feature on the new Bosch batteries is the power gauge which tells how much juice is left on the charge. We were really disappointed not to see this feature on the tools and/or batteries originally when Bosch launched their 18v line and really think this is a very useful feature on a pro tool line.
Conclusion
We were very impressed with these new Bosch Drills and HC batteries; it seems while others are expanding their lines with more products the Bosch team continues to redevelop their core products over and over really trying to put out the best products on the market, which we commend. On the other hand we personally have shifted more of our time to using impact drivers while the drill has been sitting on the shelf more and more. We are not sure how many people will be compelled to run right out and get one of these new hammer drill but perhaps when the time is right they will pick the drill that can be dropped 527’ out of a helicopter.
Read the official Bosch Press Release Below:
Mount Prospect, Ill., – Bosch Power Tools & Accessories unveils a whole new generation of 18-volt, Lithium ion-powered drills that boast the most compact size, the longest run time, the greatest durability and most powerful delivery in the marketplace today.
Responding to modern market trends showing that users want smaller, lighter drills with more runtime, longer lasting batteries, better balance and optimized grip, Bosch created two Brute Tough Drills for heavy duty applications and two Compact Tough Drills for medium duty applications. Both models offer lightweight, well-balanced features that deliver on today’s expectation that a standard duty drill will perform near heavy-duty jobs.
The Gen 2 drills are the first to debut Bosch’s new Lithium-Ion High Capacity (HC) batteries promising up to 50 percent longer runtime, and the best cold weather performance. The Lithium-Ion HC batteries operate down to – 4 degrees Fahrenheit and come with a built-in fuel gauge.
The Gen 2 Brute Tough Drill/Driver (DDH181-01) and the Gen 2 Brute Tough Hammer Drill/Driver (HDH181-01) are up to 15 percent more compact and up to a half pound lighter than the closest competition.
The new Gen 2 Compact Tough Drill/Driver (models DDS180-02, DDS181-01, 02 and 03) weigh 3.4 pounds with a SlimPack / 4 pounds with a FatPack and have a head length of seven inches. The Gen 2 Compact Tough Hammer Drill/Driver (HDS180-02, HDS180-3, HDS181-01, 02 and 03) weigh 3.6 pounds with a SlimPack / 4.2lbs with a FatPack, and have a head length of 7.5 inches respectively. The minimal sizes make them the most compact drills on the market today, ensuring better balance and tool control for precise work in tight areas.
By offering multiple product offerings in the 18v drill/driver and hammer drill/driver categories, Bosch can provide professionals with the ability to use the Bosch Flexible Power System to find the best combination of runtime and weight at a value to suit a variety of needs. (See the chart below for detailed product executions).
Other Gen 2 Brute and Compact Tough drill features include a new 4-pole high performance motor and patented all metal gear train and clutch for maximum power in the most compact size; ergonomic grip zone with the smallest diameter in the market for greater comfort and control; electronic cell protection for 400 percent longer battery life, variable speed trigger for perfect speed regulation; and a flexible battery system that is compatible with Bosch SlimPack and FatPack batteries in 18 volt Lithium-ion class. Following suit with the previous generation, the new Brute Tough series withstands repeated 12-foot drops onto solid concrete.
