Do you remember how in past years there was a Dewalt 18V NiCd drill/driver kit for ~$99 every holiday season? Last winter Dewalt came out with a new 20V Max Li-ion drill/driver kit that’s specially priced for the holidays. It’s back on sale, for $99 at Home Depot, and seems to have permanently replaced the NiCd kit as the seasonal promo item.
The DCD771 drill/driver is not the same as Dewalt’s regular 20V Max drill, but reviews from those who bought or received the new drill kit last winter have been reasonably positive.
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Compared to the DCD780 drill, the DCD771 is:
- longer (8.7″ vs. 7.5″)
- heavier (3.6 lbs vs 3.4 lbs)
- less powerful (300 UWO vs. 350 UWO)
- slower (0-450/0-1500 RPM vs. 0-600/0-2000 RPM)
- bundled with smaller batteries (1.3Ah batteries vs. 1.5Ah)
- bundled with a slower charger (60 mins vs. 30 mins)
- bundled with a contractor bag instead of a hard plastic case
If you can live with these compromises, the DCD771C2 special buy kit is a good bargain at $99.
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Compare(via Amazon)
Compare(via Lowes)
If you’re looking for a ~$100 drill/driver kit and want something different, Bosch’s DDS181 kit ($102 via Amazon) comes with a good drill/driver (it’s the one I use most), an L-Boxx 2 modular storage case, (1) compact Li-ion battery pack, and a charger.
Jerry
Seems like a good way to get started in the 20v platform, if one were to want to go with the DeWalt brand.
On the other hand, for the average Joe Homeowner, who might want a few decent cordless tools, and wasn’t particular on the brand name, from time to time you can find a 20v Porter Cable compact drill kit for around $100, and it comes with wo batteries, a hard case, and battery clip.
Beings I mentioned the battery clip, am I the only one who thinks that the $10 or so that drill manufacturers charge for a 10 cent piece of stamped steel, to be ridiculous, when purchased as a separate accessory?
Jerry
It comes with a BELT clip. Sorry, my crazy auto-type spit out the wrong word.
Glenn
What a great start to get into a quality platform. Too bad we get ripped off here in Aus. $199 here from one of our supposed “discount” hardware stores.
Matthew Fant
This appears to be a watered down version of the dcd780. I don’t really like when great brands offer crap versions of good tools, but that’s just my opinion I suppose. If you’re really in the market for a new drill from dewalt consider the 780 instead or buy the combo with the impact included. Much more value for the money.
Stuart
That’s exactly what this is. Watered down, but less expensive and at the $100 Price point which a lot of people are comfortable with. Despite any claims Dewalt might make otherwise, this is their consumer/DIYer/homeowner drill.
Matthew Fant
I can see the point, for sure Stewart. But here is my problem. It waters down a brand. If you want cheap homeowner grade, don’t they have black and decker for that?
I’m reminded of snap on here. They’ve started licensing the name on crappy products. Whenever you do, It may be good for a quick buck, but it has a negative impact on the quality of your brand in the mind of the consumer.
Stuart
Dewalt has had a “holiday special” drill for quite a few years now. They wouldn’t have come out with a Li-ion version if the risks were greater than the rewards.
Matthew Fant
You’re absolutely correct bro. They have for years. And people usually eat them up. To be fair, you pointed out all the shortcomings in this tool.
I only make a suggestion based on my personal experience, that if you’re in the market for a new drill, or a holiday special, maybe people should consider this combo instead: http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-20-Volt-Max-Li-Ion-Cordless-Combo-Kit-2-Tool-DCK280C2/202922366
You get a better bang for your buck, and an impact driver to boot. I still wish it came in a box, instead of a bag, but personal preference.
Stuart
I think that’s a great bang-for-the-buck combo as well, but keep in mind its $199 price tag. That’s DOUBLE the price of this standalone drill. It’s hard for someone looking to spend $99 on a gift for themselves or others to justify bumping their budget up to $199.
Matthew Fant
Great site by the way, as always! Keep up the great reviews, I’d love to see someone get ahold of this one, and put it through some real testing.
Kent
I wish they hadn’t gone to a 20v system. I’d stay in the DeWalt family, but replacing all my dead and dying NiCad 18v packs is just too expensive. If I could find a deal on teh 18v LiOn system, so I could use new batteries in my old tools, I’d probably stay with DeWalt, but if I have to start over, I’ll probably go Milwaulkee.
Mark Lefebvre
I think you’re right when it comes to starting over milwaukee has turned a new leaf