Makita launched a new XGT 40V Max cordless power tool combo kit, GT201SM, and there are some finer details you should know about.
To start off, here’s what you get: GPH01 hammer drill, GDT02 impact driver, 2x 4Ah batteries, charger, tool bag.
Makita GPH01 Brushless Hammer Drill
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- XGT flagship model
- 1250 in-lbs max torque
- 0-650/0-2600 RPM
- Active Feedback-sensing Technology – turns off power in case of an accessory jam
Makita GDT02 Brushless Impact Driver
- 1860 in-lbs max torque
- 4 speed settings + Tightening mode for self-drilling screws
- 4-3/4″ length
(2) XGT 4Ah Batteries (18V 8Ah Equivalent)
XGT Charger DC40RC
Fan-cooled, recharges an XGT 4Ah battery in 67 minutes.
Price: $469
Let’s talk a bit how this new combo kit compares to Makita’s other XGT 2-tool combo kits.
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Makita GT201M1D1 Combo Kit
The GT201M1D1 2-tool combo kit comes with the same tools, but includes 1x 2.5Ah battery and 1x 4Ah battery instead of 2x 4Ah batteries. It also comes with Makita’s rapid charger in stead of the “standard” XGT charger.
Price: $469
This model is not currently in stock at the Makita dealers I checked (including Acme Tools, Home Depot, Tool Nut, and Amazon.)
Makita GT200D 2-Tool Combo Kit
This is Makita’s first XGT 40V Max 2-tool cordless power tool combo kit. It features the same hammer drill, the GDT01 impact driver (more on this below), rapid charger, and 2x 2.5Ah batteries.
At the time of this posting, Makita has an E-Rebate offer where you get a free bonus 4Ah battery with the GT200D combo kit.
Price: $469
Makita GT200D vs GT201SM Combo Kits
GDT01 Impact Driver (GT200D) – 4 speed settings plus 2 Tightening modes, 1 Assist mode, 3 forward and 3 reverse Auto-Stop modes, 1950 in-lbs max torque, 4-3/4″ length
GDT02 Impact Driver (GT201SM) – 4 speed settings plus 1 Tightening mode, 1860 in-lbs max torque, 4-3/4″ length
I own the GT200D impact driver and I think it has become my go-to. It’s almost always paired with one of the 2.5Ah batteries it shipped with. However, I rarely use its special modes, and so I think I’d be just as happy with the GDT02.
The GT200D kit comes with 2x 2.5Ah batteries, and the GT201SM kit comes with 2x 4Ah batteries.
The chargers are different, with the rapid charger a bit faster. A little over an hour to recharge a 4Ah battery (18V 8Ah equivalent) is still plenty speed for many, and some might prefer the slower – but not slow – charging rate.
Summary
At this time both combo kits are priced at $469 – and the same is true for the GT201M1D1 combo kit with mixed battery selection.
Both combo kits come with the same brushless hammer drill and a tool bag.
The GT200D combo gives you the more featured and slightly higher torque impact driver (GDT01), 2x compact batteries (2.5Ah, 18V 5Ah equivalent), and a rapid charger.
(Right now you can get a bonus 4Ah battery with the GT200D combo kit.)
The GT201SM combo kit gives you a just-as-compact multi-speed impact driver, 2x higher capacity batteries (4Ah, 18V 8Ah equivalent), and a standard charger.
Why Another Option?
I spoke with Makita about the new combo kit, and they made a good point about how the included 4Ah batteries help to unlock the full potential of a broad range of XGT cordless power tools.
So from a “gateway cordless power tool combo kit” perspective, the GT201SM combo kit will get users off to a better start.
When I purchased my GT200D combo kit for testing purposes, I actually preferred the 2.5Ah batteries, as I intended to use them with the included impact driver and with the XGT dust blower I purchased at around the same time.
But, I also took advantage of instant rebate offers at the time, and received a 4Ah battery as well.
Both the impact driver and hammer drill work well with the 4Ah battery. I think the 4Ah battery is the better fit for the hammer drill.
You can buy any of the tools separately or in their own kits, but I think the 2-tool combo kits are a better value. That’s what I did – I didn’t really need or want the hammer drill, but it didn’t cost that much extra compared to buying just the impact driver kit.
I think this is what it comes down to – do you want the additional special modes and slightly higher torque of the GDT01 impact driver, and the rapid charger, or would you prefer to start off with the higher capacity and higher output-capable batteries?
If your next purchase will be something like the cordless leaf blower, rear handle circular saw, or air compressor, you’ll be glad for those 4Ah batteries.
Leo B.
Wow, you were able to get ahold of Makita? That seems like it’s been a long time coming.
PW
LOL, Makita USA finally getting desperate enough that they’re returning Stuart’s calls. Or maybe they laid off all the people with beef. Sales slump must be biting hard.
Stuart
We’ve had a cyclic relationship for over 14 years. I won’t speak as to their general strategy, but we’ve had a couple of conversations over the past 6 months. We met in the middle and there’s solid ground.
If you look at Makita’s sales figures in the USA, their situation does seems challenging. A lot of tool brands are in challenging positions right now. The entire media industry is also in turmoil.
This isn’t the place to talk about it, but I can say that I understand and even approve of the direction Makita is heading right now.
In terms of our media relationship, it’s functional with no strings attached. I was hesitant at first, but it’s going well.
Michael F
As a Makita fan, this is great to hear. I’ll admit that, while I love their tools, a lot of their marketing choices, pricing, lack of sales and incentives, and lackluster US release schedule leaves me absolutely scratching my head. I do understand that Makita is very involved in global markets primarily, but I’ve spent plenty of time wondering what their North American goals and strategy actually are.
Adam
I like the Makita XGT tools, but I haven’t got any I’ve got some Makita 18 volt and some Milwaukee cordless, the problem with the Makita XGT 40 volt is I don’t need a 40 volt impact driver or a 40 volt drill for that matter, I like the XGT rear handle saw and the power planer, but I’m not buying into another battery system just for two tools, maybe down the road I would buy the XGT miter saw the 8 1\2 inch one looks good, but it’s just too expensive .
Michael F
When it comes to 8.5″ miter saws, the price difference between the Makita GSL02M1 kit ($1,049) and the Festool KSC 60 EB 5,0 I-Plus KAPEX kit ($1,298) is only $249. Both kits come with batteries (one 4.0 XGT vs tw 5.0 Festool 18V). If you’re on XGT already, it starts to make the Festool look like a pretty good deal.
Charlie
If there’s a deal, especially a BF deal, on these I’m in. I have a french cleat wall that’s got 6 battery systems and a big power strip so the collection can grow.
Rog
Is Makita turning a new leaf, Stuart?
Stuart
Yes, and I’m doing my best to meet them halfway.
Rog
That’s great news for all parties involved
Andrew
As a Makita user who would probably buy XGT would be nice if it was available anywhere. LXT you go to depot hold the tool see if you like it. No XGT at any depots around me or any lumber yards.
Michael F
I’ve visited Home Depot locations in both Texas and Idaho that have had XGT OPE but that’s it. It’s at least nice that they sell replacement batteries.
Adam
I wondered why the existing kit was already on clearance at HD in-store, down to $370 from $450 yesterday.
I thought it was just super low demand and leaving the store just like the yard tools that went a couple months back.
Maybe Makita will get a few new users when the clearance price gets low enough 😆
Matt_T
I figure all these XGT kits are “gateway”, or an add on for folks who are already into the platform. It doesn’t make sense for anyone who only wants a drill and impact to buy them.
Stuart
Yes, but some might make parallel purchases rather than starting with only the charger and batteries in such a kit.
S
“When I purchased my GT200D combo kit for testing purposes, I actually preferred the 2.5Ah batteries, as I intended to use them with the included impact driver and with the XGT dust blower I purchased at around the same time.”
Could you expand on this?
Was the preference for 2.5Ah over the 4.0Ah more of a battery weight issue?
Stuart
Size and weight. I mainly use 18V impact drivers with 5-cell or 10-cell 18650-sized batteries. The XGT 2.5Ah battery is a 10-cell 18650 pack, and the 4Ah is a 10-cell 21700 pack similar to 18V 8Ah batteries.
I was buying it to test out, but I specifically wanted the 2.5Ah battery for my dust blower and thought it’d be a good fit for the impact.
I also had a compact drill test sample from a Makita sales rep, and the 2.5Ah battery was a good fit despite my prior experiences and proclivity towards compact drills with compact batteries.
But, I also made other purchases that came with instant rebate 4Ah batteries, and so I knew I’d have some of those.
The 4Ah battery unlocks the potential of most XGT tools, and as I understand it the new tabless battery unlocks their best potential. It’s a good “what do I get?” starting point.
I mentioned all this because the different combo kits are mutually exclusive starting points. If you make your choice, it’s going to be cost prohibitive to reverse that and buy the different impact or batteries unless you need more and just prefer something different.
I’ve purchased kits for the batteries. In that case, I’d go with the new combo kit. But I’ve also purchased kits knowing I didn’t need to solely lean on the included batteries. In that case, I’d get the other kit.
One kit gives you a better impact, faster charger, and 2x compact batteries with a bonus 4ah battery with rebate right now. The other kit gives you 2x 4Ah batteries, which will be beneficial to some users.
I’m sorry, I tried to share my experience without steering anyone. Maybe that wasn’t a good idea.
Matt_T
It’s always good you share your experiences. It’s what sets you apart from the tool (shill) media 😉
What would probably work really well for smaller XGT tools like impacts is a pouch battery the size of a single string 18v.
Stuart
Given the direction the tool industry has headed, and that this is a 40V Max platform, I don’t think pouch cell batteries would be practical for the XGT line.
CMF
Stuart your comments about the “slim” 2.5 battery, I wanted to add that I have slim 1.5 LXT and Dewalt 1.7 superstack. Using these on impact drivers is fantastic as the weight and feel really makes a difference. problem is that other than impact, they aren’t optimal on other tools…OK on a drill.
The XGT 2.5 is not as small/thin as 18v system thin batteries. When you use the 2.5 versus some other 18v impact with a slim battery; do you find it comparable or still a bit bulky?
Then where a slim 18v, personally I find sort of useless on other tools other than an impact driver (not flashlights or radios but more like circ or recip saws). Can the 2.5 reasonably better power other XGT tools or pretty much the same as 18v slim batteries?
Stuart
I didn’t say slim, I said compact. The 2.5Ah is comparable to an 18V 5Ah battery. I like the battery and feel it’s a good fit for a couple of XGT tools.
CMF
Right, I know you did not say slim, I was referring to them as such.
BTW, you state “The 2.5Ah is comparable to an 18V 5Ah battery”…this you mean voltage conversion, or total watts hours.
But is it comparable in size to a 5ah 18v? Looking at pictures and not having seeing them firsthand, they “look” slimmer. I am guessing it is just my eyes thinking it looks slimmer because you mention in the article that the cell configuration is like that of a 5ah 18v, so the size would most likely would be similar size.
Adam
This is the problem with cordless tools, as they get more advanced technology and more powerful, like the Makita XGT tools, but who can afford to keep buying yet another new line of tools with yet another new battery platform, I know why Makita didn’t make the XGT cross compatible with the 18 volt, like Dewalt did, it’s because making the tools just 40 volts meant they didn’t have to compromise it could be 100% 40 volt or actually 36.
COBill
I’ve been a Makita user for years, and was looking to update my impact to one with new features.
The bottom line – I got the GT200D combo and am absolutely thrilled with it.
Now that I’m in the GXT platform, I decided to finally pull the trigger on the GSR01M1 Rear Handle kit.
Now thanks to the rebate I have three GXT tools, two 2.5 Ah batteries and two 4.0 Ah batteries – that should hold me for a while.
(I also got a Festool CXS 18 after loving the Milwaukee M12 Installation Driver but wanting a tool with more refinement – and the Festool has that, big time.)
I don’t want the most torque or a product that can drive a six inch lag the fastest, I’m all about refinement and a tool that is an absolute pleasure to use.
One reason why I purchased an M18 Surge, tried it for a few days, and returned it and bought a Makita XST01Z oil impulse instead; the Makita is just far more of a pleasure to use.
With the new kits, the XST01Z is my go-to impact, and the GDT01 is for those times when I need brute force.
George
I scored the GT200 kit (2x 2.5AH) with the mail-in rebate for the additional 4AH from HD for about $330 around ten days ago. Check those clearance racks! They had maybe 3-4 kits. I submitted my rebate that same day and makita had the bonus battery to me 4 days later.
I have the 125mm circ saw (from Japan off eBay) and prefer the lighter batteries with drills and baby saws. eBay also sells the updated driver but made in Japan.