Replies

1. 
   calvin | Oct 01, 2011 08:04am | #1

   I'd opt for .........

   the panasonic.

   I've had the 15.6 drill and 12 driver for several yrs.  I finally replaced one battery on the driver .  Driver has a handy light on it-highly recommend this feature.

   Not cheap in price or product.

1. 
   docpower | Oct 01, 2011 07:00pm | #3

   Pannasonic

   That's maybe a good brand but it does't offer the 12v.  I need smaller battery. but thanks for your help! :)

1. 
   DanH | Oct 01, 2011 09:28pm | #4

   One reason I bought the Panasonic is that it was lighter than the other options.  The 15.6V battery is a good compromise in terms of weight/size vs power/capacity.

   Is there any particular reason it must be 12V?

2. 
   calvin | Oct 01, 2011 09:50pm | #5

   doc

   my impact is 12v, while the drll motor is 15.6.  Both use the same charger.

2. 
   florida | Oct 01, 2011 09:19am | #2

   There is no "best". Both are

   There is no "best". Both are very good tools that will last until you're tired of looking at them. I have a 12 year old 12 volt Makita impact driver that hasn't been charged in 3 years since we lost the charger. It still runs and I keep intending to buy a charger for it. If you spend your time worrying about buying the "best" you'll never buy anything.

3. 
   Hokuto | Oct 02, 2011 04:27am | #6

   I have the Makita 12V lithium drill driver and like it a lot for its compact form factor and the holster that lets me carry it up on ladders or scaffolding without getting too much in the way. Any 12V is going to be underpowered if you're using it to drive 90mm screws without a pilot hole, but since I almost always drill a pilot hole anyway, I feel it gets the job done. Recharge is pretty quick (30min?). I've never felt the need for a 16V due to the weight--and the fact that I rarely need to drive lots of long screws, but I'm thinking of a compromise 14V impact driver next time around.

4. 
   xxPaulCPxx | Oct 02, 2011 03:21pm | #7

   I've had the Bosch, and they got stolen... I have the Makita set to replace them as I got a SUPER deal.

   So, having used both of them, which one would I buy if my Makitas got stolen too?

   The new 12v DeWalts.

   http://www.toolking.com/dewalt-dck210s2-12-volt-max-cordless-lithium-ion-screwdriver-impact-driver-combo-kit

   The reason is that while both tools are very effective for what they do, you will find yourself having to swap batteries on a regular basis.  I find that the battery release on both the Bosch and Makita to be a poorly thought out design.

   Both use a triangle stack of three vertical tubes that go into the handle.  Both have release tabs on two sides of that vertical triangle, and both tabs have to be pressed in to be able to release the battery.  Unfortunatly, human hands don't deal with pressing two tabs at 60 degrees difference very well - it's not very ergonomic.  Not a big deal as you don't replace batteries THAT often.  But while working and replacing the batteries, it's very easy fo the batteries to pick up desbried that might bind up the battery or the latch a little in the handle...

   When that happens, you get into a wrestling match with that stupid battery and it's two baddly placed tabs that require too much pressure to push the tabs in because the battery is now binding them up.  Now you find yourself looking for a table corner to push in one tab while you try to push the other with one hand AND try to pull the battery out with the other.  At thet point you are CURSING the tiny size of the tool, battery pack, and the size of those EFFING RELEASE TABS!

    The New DeWalt battery release is perfect as far as I can tell, all you need is light pressure from one finger from either hand on the center front of the tool and the battery is free.

   Go to a store and try it, and compare that to the B or M.

5. 
   SammyBrown | Nov 01, 2011 09:47am | #8

   Hi there

   For my personal DIY I've always used Makita, Bosch is good but Makita just always seems that little bit better on battery. When I worked as a professional builder alot of the guys on site also used to use Makita if this helps

1. 
   gfretwell | Nov 01, 2011 03:49pm | #9

   Another vote for Makita

6. 
   barconserv | Nov 01, 2011 11:22pm | #10

   We do production finish carpentry.  The Bosh cordless drills do not hold up nearly as well as Makita. We have tried several models over the years.   Makita is what we run for drills and impact drivers.  Bosh = junk in many cases.  From the sidewinder saw with loose spindle bearings to the colt router with a crooked base we have been dissapointed by nearly every Bosh purchase.     The only Bosh tools we have were not dissapointed in are the laser distance measurer and the cordless multi tool.  

1. 
   slykarma | Nov 02, 2011 09:25am | #11

   If there's a better cordless battery system on the market than Makita's Li Ion, I haven't seen it. They're the best for power-to-weight, price/quality ratio, charging time, battery capactiy and longevity, you name it. I have 18V drill/impact set whose batteries I marked at time of purchase. They show no signs of age and yet are marked Oct. 08 - three years of solid every-day use by a busy general contracting business. Two more sets purchased since then because of the amount we use them.

7. 
   renosteinke | Nov 02, 2011 10:15am | #12

   I'm a big fan of Makita, and double fan of impact drivers .... but there's a LOT to be said for an impact driver that is small enough to fit in your pocket.

   Even though I already owned a full-size driver, circumstances led me to get the small Bosch (I was in one state and my tools were in another). I have not regretted it one bit, and it has become my primary driver.

8. 
   xxPaulCPxx | Nov 02, 2011 12:02pm | #13

   I thought I had replied to this earlier, so here goes again:

   I've had the Bosch 10.8/12v (got stolen) and have the Makita 12v set currently and use it regularly when I don't need the power of my 18v drill or impact.

   Between the Bosch or Makita in the 12v line, if I had to buy a set now - which would I choose?

   DeWalt

   The reason is that I like their battery set up soooo much more than the other two.  Both Bosch and Makita require you to pince two plasitc tabs on two sides of a triangle - something your fingers don't do well - especially in gloves!

   DeWalt has a single tab in the center and the battery slides off the shoe with ease.  I often have problems getting the batteris out the other ones - it's almost like they require 3 hands to get it done.