A couple of readers expressed disappointment at not being able find the new Ridgid 18V Gen5X cordless tools at any Home Depot. It doesn’t look like they’re shipping out quite yet (funny how there are already two 5/5 reviews), but you can order now to get in line for when they do ship.
Home Depot says the combos should start shipping out around 4/10/2015.
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The Gen5X tools look good on paper, but there’s a voice in the back of my mind whispering where are Ridgid’s brushless tools? Maybe they’re not coming after all?
The new Dewalt DCF620 20V Max brushless screwgun also looks to be shipping soon. It will be sold as a bare tool (DCF620B), in a kit with (2) 2.0Ah battery packs (DCF620D2), and in a kit with (2) 4.0Ah battery packs (DCF620M2).
Amazon’s shipping estimate is currently “2 to 4 weeks.”
Additionally, there will be two combo kits that bundle the screwgun with Dewalt’s DCF886 brushless impact driver.
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Bosch’s latest 12V Max cordless hand vac also became recently available, but short initial supplies means you probably won’t get one right away.
Amazon has “1 left in stock (more on the way).” For tools like this, it’s usually okay to place an order even if there’s no immediate stock. That way, you’re placed in a line to receive your order as stock comes in. If you want for the vacs to be in stock before you order, you’ll have to wait until Amazon fulfills all outstanding orders. Not that a 12V hand vac will be in huge demand, but you get the idea.
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John S
Lowe’s has been selling the 12v vac for a while, though I haven’t checked to see if they are in stock recently
Pablo
Is brushless necessary for Ridgid’s target market?
They’re not meant to be pro level tools, and brushless controllers will still be more expensive than variable speed triggers. I’m guessing in the TTI/Emerson/HD room, they’re thinking if it’s necessary to raise the price point when the advantages in runtime and heat management won’t be realized or appreciated by 99% of their users.
Jason
Yea I bet Home Depot doesn’t see it being practical to sell brushless Ridgid tools and a price point people are willing too pay. It’s not to say it wont change, but Ridgid doesn’t carry a lot of tools that AEG makes like SDS drills and some other tools I can’t think of off hand. People were estatic when Ridgid added the impact wrench and grinder to the X4 lineup.
Stuart
$500 for a 4 tool and LED flashlight combo isn’t exactly aimed at DIYers. Ridgid’s primary target audience are pro users.
Premo
I am a pro user, and feel that Ridgid is the leader in the “best bang for the buck” segment.
I was a Milwaukee user back in the v18 days. Instead of just improving on the first gen li-on batteries, Milwaukee changed slide styles and thus my v18 tools became a dead investment. I do not just buy tools, I invest in tools and tool platforms. To the tune of probably $30,000 or more in the past 30 years. Did you realize that if you invested in the original Milwaukee M18 tools and batteries, that those batteries are not forward compatible with the new fuel/red lithium tools. Fuel/red lithium batteries are backward compatible.
Ridgid are very good, high preforming tools at reasonable price points. Are brushless tools the only way to go? I think not. Milwaukee tools are not a wise investment. They will always (if history is any indication) pull compatibility issues, and their prices are as high as giraffe genitals.
Nathan
I tend to agree with their comments, though. Brushless is still a premium selling point, and there’s money to be milked from the related premium brand Milwaukee until it has lost some of its exclusivity and novelty.
adam
I was told that Milwaukee has the patent on their brushless technology in M18 tools. This is why, and it doesn’t make sense to me still, that Ridgid & Ryobi don’t have brushless tools yet. Ryobi is still working on “their version” of it for their tools and should see it this summer.
It makes more sense if they weren’t under the same parent company, but after working retail many things don’t fall into the common sense category
Jim Felt
Why would Bosch introduce the little 12v hand vac when the far better 18v vac is widely available online? And is superb?!
John S
Technically you still have to import the 18v option though…
Todd
Stuart,
I think I can shed some light on those early reviews. Companies that have a lot of tools registered with Rigid get a chance to buy new products before they are available to the public. I was able to get my Gen 5 tools a couple months ago because a friend of mine owns a large electrical contracting company and got a large quantity of them. I didn’t know they were up on HD’s site yet but I would also give them 5 stars.
Premo
Ridgid 1st gen li-ion batteries had serious issues. Now their batteries are as good as any other brand. Brushless technology will improve and as scale increases, prices will become more reasonable. Milwaukee is at the leading edge of tool tech marketing, but they, like Dewalt will leave users holding dead platforms.
At some point Ridgid will go brushless, no doubt. I don’t believe that professionals can use ONLY ONE battery platform. I use Ridgid all that I can, Ryobi air strike nailers, caulk gun, great dual power led light. Would love to have a gasless, cordless framing nailer, therefore Dewalt is the only option.
This is a very good tool review site. Thanks Stuart.