I think I stumbled upon Bosch’s Black Friday or 2017 holiday season cordless drill kit “special buy,” model GSR18V-190B22.
Compared to their previous basic model, DDB181, this new Bosch 18V drill is lighter, at 2.75 lbs, but longer, at 7.8″. It’s more powerful, with a peak torque rating of 480 in-lbs, and faster, with a 0-450 and 0-1700 2-speed gearbox.
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The kit is bundled with a charger, carrying bag, and (2) 1.5Ah battery packs. It’s currently priced at $129 with free shipping, but is “temporarily out of stock.”
I’m willing to bet that it’ll go on sale for $99 or $100 within the next 10 days. By Black Friday or Cyber Monday, BAM, we’ll see that price drop.
But, although it looks good on paper – for a potentially $100 offering – I find myself a little underwhelmed, to be honest.
Dewalt, Milwaukee, and Makita – they all have brushless promo season drill kits this year.
Dewalt’s DCD777 offers (2) compact capacity battery packs. Makita’s new XFD061 brushless drill is bundled with (1) 3.0Ah battery pack. Milwaukee’s offering is their compact brushless drill/driver, bundled with a compact battery pack.
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This Bosch has 2 compact battery packs, which is good, and its specs looks okay on paper. It’s not exceptionally compact, at least not length-wise, but its stated weight is almost unbelievably light.
Part of what leaves me feeling underwhelmed is how it’s not quite competitive. Why buy this over the other brands’ offerings?
The other part is… well… from the product photos, it looks really cheap. Is it just me who thinks the drill has a somewhat “basic” look to it?
Maybe it’s the super slim-shaped grip. The DDB181 was very slim, so it makes sense that this one would be too.
Then again, I’d rather a drill look cheap than be designed or engineered with lesser components.
I don’t recall seeing this new Bosch 18V cordless kit at any other retailer, or in any of their Black Friday 2017 sales flyers or promo “special buy” deal sections. So, it’s either a well-kept secret, or it might be an Amazon exclusive.
Looks aside, the drill does have good things going for. Its motor and gearbox seem to be an upgrade over the DDB181, and a noticeable upgrade at that. More power and faster speeds? That says “beefier motor and drivetrain.”
Do you think that it might be priced a less than $100? $89? I think that would be pushing it. Although, an $89 price point would definitely add to its appeal. At $99? Why choose this ahead of the other pro tool brand cordless drill kit options?
I think the “convince me” marketing language might sound something like: “18V power, 12V-class size, weight, and one-handed convenience.”
Launch Price: $129
(Update) Seasonal Deal Price: $99
Buy Now(via Amazon)
That this kit throws out a “no-frills” vibe to me is not necessarily bad, it’s just odd. I could be way off-base with my initial impressions.
Lastly, am I the only one who doesn’t like the new model numbers? DDB181, DDS181, and DDS182 are easy to type and remember. GSR18V-190B22? That’s going to take getting used to.
Matt
I have a DDB181 myself, been a great drill. I’m just a casual DIY-er so it doesn’t get a ton of use. I will say this new one definitely looks cheaper and I certainly wouldn’t replace my DDB with it.
Though it isn’t something I’ve ever needed much, where is the LED? What’s with the color, is this a new shade or just my screen?
If Bosch moves this way with their other products I’ll move my 18v line to Milwaukee as well.
Stuart
If you look really close, you’ll see a teeny tiny dome of a standard package LED poking out from the base of the drill.
Chris
That’s the same professional color blue Bosch always uses. Must be your screen although the model seems to be derived from a oversees model which we have been getting more of lately which is totally awesome. Bosch if you are listening please develop a powerful brushless blower so I can pare with my Core batteries and don’t have to mess with my pain the ass 2 stroke any longer.
Nathan L
It looks like a computer rendering of a 3D model to me. Maybe that effect contributes to it looking cheap.
I do agree that it’s not compelling. I wish i were in the market for a drill/driver: the deals this BF are great! It’s the less mainstream tools that are a bit harder to find deals on, unless as part of a drill/driver purchase.
Paul K
It’s not even especially light. The Dewalt is 2.5 lbs and the Milwaukee is 3.75 with battery.
Matt
Bosch is always seemingly last to game and with little to offer. Sure the tools they do bring to the US have some awe value but their lack of holiday offerings(compared to other competitors) overwhelming price point (in my opinion, yes they are quality tools but…. $299 for the new recip saw kit) and, again, in my opinion, just complete lack of tools that compare to the other big brands.
Bosch is supposedly a member of the “big 4”. Which is an arguable point. Quality wise, it’s hard to find a better made tool. But as far as cordless offerings, US availability (see 12v flexi click, EC motor in Europe, brushed stateside) and kits, actual combo kits that compare to what I see from Makita, M18, DeWalt, Bosch is left in the dust and relies I think solely on brand loyalty. Id like to see a write up done on consumers who have bought into a system, a new system over the past few yrs and see where Bosch stands. I imagine the other big 3, most likely Ridgid and even Ryobi have a hold on that market.
Point being, I don’t think Bosch tries hard enough or even cares where they stand….just looking at this drill, their black Friday specials and whatever else. They’re comfortable where they are. Solid but very quiet.
Chris
12v flexi click is brushed in Europe as well. There’s even German mods that change out the gearbox over to PS22’s to make the unit brushless.
The yeti
Bosch is a huge company . Mainly focused on auto parts . I think tools is just a side gig for them . That being said i drink their kool aid . Ive never had or even heard of a bad bosch battery or tool . They seem to be very well made. The 12v stuff especially.
Matt
I could have sworn the euro flexiclick had EC written in the tool. So I go back to look and they all say “heavy duty”. Very strange. The Mandela Effect
Jim Felt
Just buy the hard to source darn things on eBay or Amazon UK and ignore their lousy US sales effort. Though honestly my local full stocking pro outlet has literally everything they import here. Everything.
But always remember to register with them here and get the 3 year rockin’ warranty service.
And yeah I’ve preordered a bunch of just announced new red stuff… Hope their warranty is as good as blue.
Patrick
It’s hard to guesstimate the quality from a computer rendering, but this just seems like an odd entry. It may be unfair to compare it to the 181. The 181 came out in 2011 or so. I think the brushless 182 was in stores in early 2014. The all-metal 183 landed about a year ago. I found an open box bare-tool HDS183 for $80 and it’s been fantastic.
I’m curious if they just cheapened the 183 a little here? It’s basically the same weight and a half inch longer. Maybe it’s the longer non-metal chuck from previous versions and cheaper motor stuffed into the 183 body? It still seems like a tough sell. There’s some excellent deals for brushless drivers out there now at a similar price. If somebody wanted to get closer to pro level, that HD deal you pointed out with the Ryobi Brushless Drill, battery and charger for $149 and a free tool added on seems really good. The brushless impact is included with that deal. That’s some serious tools for $149 on a waaay more dynamic platform. That’s coming from a Bosch guy too.
Dan
This particular drill is entry level Bosch so it seems a bit harsh to judge the brand as a whole based on this. Honestly i didn’t know people even compared specs on the cheap models. If you care, spend the money to show it. The brushless models are really quite nice, and I’m a metabo fella so I’m not biased towards Bosch.
Used to be Blue
The GSR series are European tools. I’d be surprised if they got to the US other than as a grey market tool.
fred
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