Bosch has come out with a new 18V socket-ready impact driver, model GDX18V-1600. The new impact tool can work with 1/4″ hex screwdriver bits, as well as 1/2″ square drive impact sockets.
The new brushed motor impact driver joins a brushless version that has already been on the market for a few years.
Advertisement
It delivers 1600 in-lbs of max torque, with motor speeds of 0-2800 RPM and 0-3600 BPM. It weighs 2.7 lbs without a battery pack, and features a head-mounted LED.
The new Bosch 18V combination impact tool lacks some features and a little bit of power compared to the IDH182 brushless model, but comes with a much lower price tag.
Price: $109 for the bare tool ($119 MSRP), $179 for the (2) 2.0Ah battery kit.
Buy Now(Bare Tool via Amazon)
Buy Now(Kit via Amazon)
Compare(IDH82 Brushless Version)
First Thoughts
At first, I couldn’t tell the difference between this and the existing model, and so I asked.
Bosch wants to have a product at every price point. The GDX18V-1600 is a mid-priced product. The GDX18V-1600 incorporates the two-in-one Socket Ready design. Bosch did not have brushed version before.
Advertisement
I think that this is a good motivation behind the new tool.
While one can always use a 1/4″ hex to 1/2″ square drive adapter with an impact driver, or 1/2″ square drive to 1/4″ hex bit holder with an impact wrench, it’s not always ideal to do so. With this tool, you have both chuck types right there on the tool. Anyone who has ever lost or misplaced bit holders or socket adapters will surely appreciate this.
Compared to the brushless model, there’s slightly less max torque, and this is a single speed tool whereas the brushless version has 3 speed and torque settings.
The bare tool is $30-40 less than the brushless version, depending on whether you by MSRP or Amazon’s street price. The kit is $20 less.
Jason
I think Bosch could have been working on other tools than a brushed version of that tool. Even Hitachi is innovating more than Bosch it seems, and putting out compelling new product.
Matt
^ this
Chris
Bosch seems to put out one really good product at a time. I’ve had the brushless version of this forever and if for some reason it ever died I probably buy another one.
Jared
This product does fill a niche – but it’s a pretty small niche. I have the brushed impact driver already and just pop in an adapter when I want to use a socket. Like you mentioned Stuart, less than ideal, but I’m not going to buy a whole new tool just to have the square drive built in.
I suppose this was an easy move on Bosch’s part since they are probably using the existing impact driver parts and just adding the combo 1/2″ square and 1/4″ hex driver from the Brushless version onto it.
The yeti
I have the brushless one. I use it rarely. It is under powered. I prefer the 12v bosch actually. Its got less power still but it isnt asked to turn half inch drive stuff.
When i have found the half inch drive useful is when using scissor jacks. The socket on the driver right onto the jack screw. Zip er up or down real fast . Other than that i would have trouble to find much else i use it for. Paid like 300 bucks for the thing too. Ouch
JDSTEEL
What field do you work in? I use the brushless 18v, near daily, as well as owning 3 of them. My complaint would be battery life not being underpowered.
The yeti
Just use my tools as a home owner. Not using them professionally. The thing is way under powered. Have not found a lug nut its capable of cracking loose yet.
Being a big bosch fan. I rushed out and bought the brushless one when it first came out. I like it just fine. Find it useless though as i said. The 12v can do everything the 18v does. The 18v can not do everything the 12v can as its 3 times the size. With not enough extra ooomph to make any practical difference. So its become used to turn jack screws and thats about it
Mihailo gama-alati.rs
I feel like your product might be broken or there is something you’re doing wrong (which I doubt because IIRC there is only one button which is pretty straightforward as in – it controls torque and RPM) These is no way in hell that any 12V Bosch impact driver or screwdriver can do what GDX 18 V-EC (as it’s called in Europe) can’t.
Doc
Agreed. My IDH182 has no trouble with lug nuts (up to and including a 4runner) or lags.
XTsallaD
I agree that there may be something wrong with your 18v ec impact. I own many different brands of 18v impact and even thought the Bosch doesn’t have as high of a torque rating as some, it is very competitive in performance aside from it’s larger size, and I’ve never had a problem with it removing any lug nuts either.
The yeti
Thats the problem rite there. Up to and including a 4 runner. Well i drive a full sized chevy 2500 HD. I think i see why u guys are not having issues . The impact is fine. Juat under powered for what i thought i was buying. Its fine though i will buy a good pneumatic
MikeIt
I think this is brilliant. Until the 1600 inch lbs of torque strip the head of every screw you are trying to drive in. Actually I wish this could be done for 3/8″ drivers. I would have 1 less adapter to lose.
Eric
If your stripping screws with an impact driver, your doing something wrong. Be it using poor quality screws, poor quality bits, or operator error, or some combo of the above. 1600 in/lbs is in the low-middle of most 18v class 1/4″ impact drivers. And it’s not nearly enough power for most bolts that are requiring a 1/2″ socket.
Patrick
I have the brushless version and it’s fantastic. As long as you don’t try putting the short bit in there, it’s fantastic. I have used it with 1/2″ sockets on plenty of car projects with no problems. I haven’t had a single instance where a lug nut didn’t pop right off one of our cars and I even got some bolts to come off of 14 year old suspension a few months back. I can’t imagine needing more power (for it’s intended use) and I enjoy the ergonomics. This ‘do-it-all’ type impact at a slightly lower price point may be appropriate for somebody who wants one “drill” to handle everything, but it seems like a weird entry.
I enjoy the Bosch stuff I have, but they seem to going in a strange direction. Pretty decent price point for roughly the same power as the other version though.
pete
133 ft/lbs sure isn’t much. But the idea of the 1/2″ drive and 1/4″ drive is pretty cool. I can’t wait for milwaukee’s m12 250 ft/lbs impact!
Alick
I bought into Bosch 18v just for the brushless version of this. With a compact battery I find it the most comfortable tool in the hand of anything I own and nicely balanced. I don’t usually need massive torque but it has broken rusted M16 bolts loose for me with just a 2Ah battery pack and the 3 speed settings are useful.
The LEDs on the brushless version have got to be best in class BTW.
Nathan
Easy cheaper model to create for Bosch – not a bad idea.
I don’t want one however – I get the point but at the same time – that torque limit doesn’t work for me. 134 ft lbs for impact wrench won’t do.
Matt
What about a normal 1/4″ Brushless hex headed impact driver from Bosch for those of us who don’t want anything socket ready?
Chris
Readily available from Korea on Ebay and I’ve purchased myself with success. Not sure why Bosch has not decided to release in US as it’s a very nice impact. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bosch-GDR-18V-EC-Cordless-Impact-Driver-with-brushless-motor-EC-Solo-EMS/111639774756?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649
Jim Felt
I ordered one through eBay from Korea a couple of weeks ago. For 89USD.
Seems like it’ll be useful.
(Thanks for your reinforcement of my theory.)
Tjorven
Will come in September. 200nm and about 4″ long.
Same with a new gdx 18 brushless with 300 nm and about 5″ long.
ETA for Europe of course ?
Tjorven
200 NM on the new gdx…
Rob
Where did you see this? I’d like to know more about it.
Tjorven
Will try to find some. Not sure if it’s online yet.
Rob
Did some looking around. Apparently the GDR -18V EC mentioned above has been available in other markets for at least a year or more. And, if you look at their overseas website, the tool is only listed as capable of 170Nm which calculates to an anemic 125lb-ft of torque. If they ever bother bringing it over to the US and they don’t up the torque output to competitor levels then it’s all for nothing.
mattd
I really like that style of bit holder. I really wish it was the standard across brands because it is not nice enough to switch to a new brand.
Walt Gasowski
My exact thought. I Wish they all had this setup.
Will
I have no need for this, but it’s a neat concept. I just don’t get the 1/2″ anvil. Anything that would need a 1/2″ socket (19mm/ 3/4″+) would need more power than this provides. If they made a 3/8″ anvil one, I think it would be better suited
John
A 3/8″ drive would make more sense with 133 ft/lbs of torque but I don’t think there’s physically enough room in a 3/8″ square for the 1/4″ mechanism.
XTsallaD
I have always wished my brushless 3 speed bosch impact had a smaller anvil. I think there’s enough room around a ¼” chuck to keep a strong enough ⅜” anvil to work more appropriately for this amount of torque.
Corey
I see this as a home owner/diy offering, for oddball tasks or needs that may arise. Beyond that, I think half inch and quarter is too different in application to make this a go-to tool for professional situations. There’s better, smaller, more powerful offerings in quarter inch in many colors, and if you have a regular use for half inch drive, you’re going to have or want a stand alone torque wrench to be much more capable and powerful. The odd combination of use aside, a brushed model following an already released brushless model with higher capabilities leaves me hard pressed to find a theoretical circumstance that would be best accomplished via this tool lol. I like Bosch, but I guess I just don’t get this.
Chris
This set up is really made for profession installers that primarily are putting in lag bolts all day. You wouldn’t want to use 1/4 hex adapter for this all day.
pete
Thats a good point! As long as 133ft/lbs is enough to drive in those lags. But being able to quickly switch between 1/4 hex and 1/2 drive would be hugely useful for an installer that drives lags as you said.
Chris
Pete. I think bosch’s idea of no adapter for 1/2 decreases the need to some degree of needing higher torque. I’m not sure how much torque you loose with an adapter but I do know some is lost. It will depend on how large the lags are of course but in my experience with stuff you would use on decks and suck it has been fine.
JDSteel
Ridiculously convenient.
fred
I was always concerned about how much torque a 1/4 hex to 1/2 square adapter could take. Not that I ever saw an adapter fail from being over-torqued – but just a wonder.
I bought a Milwaukee 2765-20 7/16 hex impact driver back in 2014 – and have used it quite a lot on landscaping projects. I use it with 7/16 hex shank auger bits to drive clearance holes – and with a Proto
J7121 7/16 hex to 1/2 sq. adapter and impact sockets to drive lags. I think its a great tool.
Rob
An underpowered, brushed motored impact in 2018? Is Bosch even serious about the North American market? I keep hoping they’ll release some new brushless impacts with power on par with the competition so I don’t switch to Big Red or DeWalt. But, instead we get this. You’re gonna lose me Bosch.
Jason
I don’t get Bosch they put out these big batteries but no compelling tools for them. I think they also got burnt bad on the wireless charging tech they invested in. That tech totally didn’t take off at least in the consumer market.
Jerry
Jason, Rob: Totally agree with you both. Don’t want to invest any further in any more Bosch 18V tools.
There is no serious 1/2 or 3/8 impact. Also missing are garden tools, vacuums, ratchets, etc.
I have a dozen or more 18V tools, but I havn’t even bothered to buy a single Core battery, since it wouldn’t really make a difference the way my tools run.
Chris
There’s a handful of tools that take advantage of the core batteries. Bosch’s focus seems to be solely on professional construction. Bosch has released new lights, circular saw, brushless rotary hammers, brushless hammer drills, brushless grinder, and a very nice brushless reciprocating saw that might the best available right now. These all will perform much better with the new core batteries. Also the new core batteries are just awesome and I will go out on a limp and say are probably the best made battery overall right now.
Stuart
The wireless charging tech was never for the consumer market though.
Personally, I like seeing companies take risks in trying new things. If they didn’t, there would never be much advancement.
John
As far as I know the wireless charging never took off in the professional market either. They haven’t introduced a single product after their initial launch and they’ve put the existing products on sale for pennies on the dollar. But the real issue is they never came out with a 12v wireless charging base – obviously the main application for wireless charging like this is to have a drill holster in your van/truck that charges your batteries without having to think about it.
Jim Felt
That’s why I started adding some M12 and M18 Tools last year. So far they each have their place in my business and personal use. The fit, finish and, as a Texan boot seller said to me one day, the hand is very different between the Blue and the Red. Hmmm. Pun there somewhere.
Hang Fire
Instead of having something at every price point, Bosch should concentrate on having SOMETHING that is COMPETITIVE at SOME price points.
Bosch 18V brushed, brushless impact wrenches are weak and uncompetitive.
sp
Two models of this impact available in the UK:
GDX 18V-180, (US – GDX 18V-1600, the socket ready, above) Introduced some 6 months ago and mentioned early this year in other us tool blogs. 180 NM torque.
GDR 18V-160, released in Europe (at least in UK) recently, a stand alone impact driver, 160 NM.
I remember Tjorvens information and predictions 2 years ago about Bosch’s soon releases and trends. they were accurate. So hopefully we’ll (americans, europeas and asians) see two new impacts from Bosch in fall.
I am a heavy Bosch user but I neither can’t understand Bosch’s policy of ever stucking to brushed power tools, almost 10 years since the brushless power tools began to be produced. You know, its frustrating to see all those red, teal, green and yellow guys with their all singing and dancing new brushless tolls..
sp
tools of course..