We’ve talked about Ryobi’s Tek4 cordless 4V Li-ion products before, with the last post being over a year ago when they came out with cordless snips. Since then a few new products have popped up, such as an inspection camera, a utility work light, and a stud finder.
Some of these products look decent, but they don’t seem to be catching on. Every time I pass the Tek4 display at a local Home Depot, I see dusty tools and fully-stocked shelves. Other customers seem to glaze right by as well, never offering the Ryobi Tek4 tools a second glance. Why is this? With reasonable prices and add-on batteries at ~$13 each, it doesn’t look like cost is much of an issue.
Personally, I, perhaps unfairly, dismiss some of these Tek4 tools right off the bat. To be perfectly honest, I can’t think of a good reason to choose Ryobi’s stud finder, digital multimeter or MP3 player over models by Zircon, Extech or Fluke, or any major consumer electronics brand, respectively. It’s hard to imagine that Ryobi’s first generation models will trump those by seasoned market leaders. It could be that Ryobi had help in designing these tools but there’s no way to know.
Availability? The fact that Ryobi Tek4 tools are only available at Home Depot can’t possibly be helping them. Combined with little advertisement, this is likely the most influential factor.
Or is there something else that I’m missing entirely? Most of Ryobi’s Tek4 tools look to be well designed for rough and dirty workshop and jobsite use, and they offer decent features and specs at modest prices. But there’s nevery any buzz for these tools. Why is that?
Ryobi Tek4 Cordless Tools via Home Depot
Nice system with decent reviews online but I wonder how long the system will last before it’s updated. How many cordless tools were produced during the past 10+ years that were always updated to a higher capacity battery and new tools?
Once my Cman 19.2 system dies I’m not replacing it. I’m making the switch to all electric, which is more efficient, powerful, and doesn’t waste electricity when the charger just sits there.
The only exception in my shop is my Bosch 12v driver. I feel that Bosch will stay with the 12v series, much like Milwaukee.
my low volt battery system is AA’s. All these tools in the system seem to be overpriced, underspeced, and don’t seem to validate the need for a special proprietary battery system;none of the tools are energy hogs. The tek 4 mp3 player is 2gbs for 70 bucks, most Sansa’s are half that price,better interface, offer 4 times the memory and come with a battery included. The 50 dollar stud finder, I dont understand why it’s so expensive nor the reason why it would need a special battery for operation, a 9 volt or a couple of AAs are more than sufficient. The Camera looks poorly designed , for 200 bucks I would rather get a cybershot and a protective case. This seems to be the case for all the tools in the line, I dont know who would want them when there’s plenty of better options available.
I don’t really see the need for any of these tools….at the price they’re at. I think they’re all over priced. Plus, many of these “tools” are not really tools and not items people would go to HD to purchase. Who is going to buy a MP3 player from Ryobi when you can get an iPod or Zune that has all the accesories you’d want. If the items were priced lower I could see them being much more popular but there’s nothing at this time I see about them that is priced great or fills a need.
Uhmm, I would say that the answer to your question is “ryobi”. Having fallen for the “cheaper is better” fallacy in the past, I haven’t even bothered to look at these displays at HD. And has already been pointed out, these tools really aren’t that cheap. I did take a look this morning, and I would add that this line of tools just feels overdesigned. Not sure what I mean by that, but it’s the word that comes to mind.
I’ve actually tested quite a few of the Tek4 line products and I’ve become a fan. While I’m not sure there’s a huge market for all their products I will say they work great. I use the distance measure almost every day at work, the camera scope works really well, and the battery charger is a life saver for my Android phone that always needs a charge.
I’ll agree that the pricing is a tad high but the system as a whole works very well. Just my two cents.
The more tools on the same battery the better. Makes it even easier to keep one ready. There are a handful of worthwhile TEK4 tools but a couple duds too. The LED light (pictured) isn’t even very bright. The camera takes so-so pictures but it can go underwater.
HELLO !
I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THE FIRST TEK 4 PROJECT CAMERA. HOW
CAN I GET ANOTHER ONE ? I BROUGHT THEFIRST CAMERA AT HOME DEPOT IN SACRAMMENTO , CALIFORNIA . ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE HELPFUL . THANK YOU !
I have 3 of the TEK4 tools. I have the driver, studfinder, and the flashlight. I started with the screwdriver. The price at the time was $29.95, for the driver, battery, charger, and fabric case. I think the price is $39.95 now.
The driver is perfect for inside the house, when you’re doing small projects and don’t need the bulky weight of a normal sized driver. It has a 24 position clutch, but the motor will stall before you get to the higher settings. It’s almost like they took the clutch torque specs from the 18V model, and passed it on to this model. Overall, I’m pleased with the unit, and it fits a niche market with the smaller size.
The Stud Finder works good, and you get another battery and charger. The Finder also lets you know when there’s an electrical circuit in the area you’re scanning.
The Flashlight is extremely bright, and well made.
Like other people have commented here, I wouldn’t be interested in the camera or the MP3 player, as I have those items in other brands,