Dewalt just send out a cryptic teaser email about some new Dewalt Tool Connect developments, but there’s enough to get a sense for what’s going on.
Up to now, Dewalt Tool Connect was only about 20V Max Bluetooth batteries, and while neat in theory, this doesn’t actually give you that much functionality.
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I must admit, I have Dewalt’s Tool Connect app on my phone, but I don’t remember the last time I opened it. Have I ever opened it? And I have a 20V Max Bluetooth battery, but can’t remember ever connecting to it with the Dewalt Tool Connect App.
But Bluetooth-connected tools and tool modules do have potential – just look at what Milwaukee has done with their One-Key system. Milwaukee has new “Tick One-Key” tool tracking modules coming out soon, and Bosch’s TrackTag was announced in Europe some time ago.
Black & Decker also has Smart Bluetooth-connectable battery packs.
Ooh. New Dewalt 20V Max brushless power tools with integrated Bluetooth technology.
I spy a compact brushless impact driver, a compact brushless drill and a hammer drill, and a heavy duty 3-speed brushless drill.
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This holds great potential. Will the tools be customizable in the same sense as Milwaukee’s One-Key tools?! If there’s a premium for the Bluetooth hardware, users will likely expect enhanced app functionality, whether they can fully take advantage of it or not.
And TAG, you’re it! I mean, TAG, a small module that looks like it can be mechanically or adhesively fastened to “anything” on the jobsite.
There’s also the CONNECTOR, which looks to connect between 20V Max cordless power tools and any 20V Max battery packs you might already have.
Dewalt’s tools are programmed through their battery connection. So… could this possibly allow for customization of certain tools?
That’s one of the reasons I LOVED Dewalt’s factory tour – it provided invaluable insight as to how boxes of parts are turned into a usable tool.
This is the only message that was linked to the images:
Tool Connect™ updates are coming soon; including a new app, inventory management software, and 3 new ways to connect anything on your jobsite. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months.
So we know that there will be an inventory management component, as well as the 3 ways to connect tools and equipment at a jobsite.
There will be the TAG module, new 20V Max tools with Dewalt Tool Connect tech built in, and a CONNECTOR for attaching to your other 20V Max power tools.
There is no mention of tool customizations of the like that Milwaukee has introduced to their One-Key system.
But we have already seen the promise of Dewalt Bluetooth-controllable tools, namely the DCL070 Bluetooth LED worklight that was announced alongside their FlexVolt tools.
We’re going to be digging deep and turning over rocks. There will be “more details in coming months,” but waiting isn’t as much fun as active searching.
What do you guys think about this Dewalt Tool Connect expansion, and the potential it holds?
Chris
I hope there is no subscription for the tag module.
Jon
It says it can track anything “on the jobsite” which leads me to think it’s bluetooth range only which of course would require no subscription.
If indeed it can be tracked “anywhere” that would require a subscription because you need cellular service to accomplish that.
Chris
Oh. I never thought of the need for cellular service. That makes so much sense.
JMG
The Connector looks very interesting. Seems like it might be a much better option than having to purchase special bluetooth tools in order to be able to modify the specs.
BonPacific
This is what I was thinking too.
Nathan
I’m intrigued. I like the idea of the connector if the price wasn’t ridiculous since it would allow me to add some functionality to the tools/batteries I already have.
Otherwise I have no use for any of those items – especially with the limited rage of BT.
Lenny
Totally agree. If the adapter allows you to program multiple and existing tools it’s a home run. One key always seemed like a gimmick to me but had a few functions I might use like being able to program how long the light stays on. I would never pay extra to have it built into the tool but a device that programs my current stuff – buy.
Mr. Creek
I hope they make that bluetooth adapter to work with all their tools, not have one for drills, another one for saws, etc. I also hope it can function with 2 tools at once. For example, I put one on my 20v vacuum, that is hooked up to my 20v miter saw and when I pull the trigger on the saw the vacuum comes on, then turns back off when I’m done with the cut.
Luke
With the performance of Bluetooth you’re likely to be done with your cut before the vacuum kicks on!
Joe
Yeah nah.
William Butler
Why do they need three different ways to connect your drill to bluetooth? If the drill its self is connected and can be modified through the app, why have the batteries. If there is a module, why have the tools be bluetooth? Seems like it would be most cost effective to have a single bluetooth Connector that can modify the factory settings on tools.
Why would I buy a bluetooth drill if I can get the Connector that works with all my tools?
Maybe it’s too early to judge.
If those trackers are not subscription based I would buy those.
Nathan
the bt there is also to find the battery and condition of the battery itself. Something I think one key can only do with the battery on the tool
the Dewalt BT battery would tell you it’s condition – off tool. which might be handy for some
matt
milwaukee already makes those today, i think it’s called the tick
Stuart
Yes, here’s the link again if you missed it in the post: https://toolguyd.com/milwaukee-tick-tool-tracker/
Mike
Blue tooth and one key a waste of time and money, people who use power tools usually aren’t into computer gadgets leave that stuff too the nerds
Jon
Exactly – what a useless bunch of gimmicks. I wonder if anybody has a real world example of any of these features saving time or money.
pencil neck
Why stop at Bluetooth… lets make these IoT so they can be a real security risk!
This is, as my IT director wife would say, is a technological solution to an administration issue.
Adam spiller
I agree, it’s ridiculous, I just want a good tool, I don’t want it connected to a tracker, or my iPhone , via Bluetooth ,how long is it going to be before it goes wrong.
David Funk
Hopefully this will work in to a dust collection controlling system.
JoeM
I’m sold. Don’t care. I’m sold.
Andrey
They should make something that’s long range in case your tool gets stolen or something so you can find it off the job site. But I like the idea of having Bluetooth connectivity on my tools.
mattd
I think the only value these have is theft and loss prevention. being able to find YOUR tools/batteries on a job site makes the system worthwhile if it is not too expensive. I highly doubt the external peripheral will allow me to modify rpm/torque on a drill. it is just a glorified tracking device and on/off lock. overall I find the bluetooth stuff neat for tracking. and the theory for the specks being able to be dialed in is neat, but not super useful imo.
Chris
I should get one of those tiny modules and tape it to my cat. That way I can find him whenever he gets outside. (He is supposed to be an indoor cat, but the little poop can open our sliding glass doors if they are not locked)
Drew M
They already make a thing that does this but keeping it charged up could get annoying.
D
I had $8k worth of tools stolen yesterday (lots of dewalt stuff that was 3 months old). Right now I would love some tracking device or ability to shut the batteries down.
neil
I tend to wonder if the people who are designing new tools at DeWalt are a little too removed from reality sometimes? Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Dewalt tool user…..ok heavy tool user borderline addict, but maybe they need to spend some more time in the field, for research purposes? Granted bluetooth technology would benefit some, and even more (myself included) if it were similar to Milwaukee, but I want bang for my buck and in MY opinion Dewalt should….no MUST focus more on common & easy to solve problems. First and foremost LIGHTING!!!!! Has anyone taken a look at the jobsite lighting options Milwaukee has to offer (or Ryobi & Ridgid for that matter), incredible to say the least. Tripod light with capability of 2000 lumens! 360 degree light, honestly too many to mention. Go look for yourself if you haven’t yet.
The new bluetooth capable light (DLC 070) is interesting but not very compact and versatile, not going to be carrying that thing in and out every day. Not to mention it wouldn’t fit in the work van with the rest of my tools and material. The DLC 050 is still Dewalt’s best over all light, but definitely room for more options. Think flood light style, and compact (like Milwaukee has x6 or 7)
Sorry for the rant, but it has been bugging me for a long time, just give me some damn lights!!! ……and a lawn mower! PLEASE DEWALT, Then you can do whatever you want with silly bluetooth stuff.
glenn
So we can now officially welcome Dewalt as well to the ” I must release useless tech” Club of manufacturers.
Nathan
I would partially agree but I think like a lot of things – other users must be asking for this and they see people using and asking their competitors for this.
Milwaukee and Bosch already have pieces – so it makes sense Dewalt is going to have to offer something – so they aren’t left off the table.
I like they are making these mostly as ADD ON – that connector is a good idea – vs oh hey if oyu want this feature you must buy this specific model of brand new ____.
Todd H.
Well there goes another follow the leader, Dewalt following Milwaukee pathetic wireless garbage. I thought Dewalt would stand there ground and be a straight up mans tool, nope! They need lame girly tracking nonsense. Wireless doesn’t belong on power tools, more sh–! to break.
Soicyboy
I totally agree with you. Every one else has ran circles around dewalt when it comes to job site work lights.
Renato
Totally agree . We have dozens of contractor work for us and not a single
One Key owner. Actually, the vast majority don’t even know what it is.
I can’t even begin to picture one of them stopping work to pull out their
phone and re-program one of their tools. As far loss control goes, they watch
over their tools like a hawk and never leave a tool behind,.
Jon
I agree as well. Nobody needs to reprogram their tool beyond the settings you can already change with physical switches or buttons on the tool. There are certain specific applications where it could be useful but that’s the 1% of users. The 99% of the rest of typical tradespeople and homeowners that buy these brands don’t need these functions.
The battery monitoring stuff is particularly useless in my mind. You don’t need a phone to tell you the state of charge or if it’s too hot or cold, or to “identify” a battery by flashing the light.
Unless you literally just started using cordless tools you have a sense already of how long a battery lasts in certain tools, or you feel the tool getting weaker or it eventually stop at the low voltage cutoff. If you really need, you can check the general state of charge with the fuel gauge button on the battery anyway!
As for the state of re-charge, well since it only takes an hour to charge the batteries from dead I already know roughly how charged up it is by just recalling about how long ago I placed it on the charger! Or better yet having enough batteries to cycle through as to not need to care in the first place.
For “identification” of batteries typically tradespeople just write or scribe their initials on the battery! It’s far easier to just glance with your eyes than to pair up with your phone and flash a light on the battery.
The whole “enable and disable” your battery thing is useless too! Let’s say the disable function actually works and cannot be hacked or overridden, does it really matter if the thief can’t use it? You are still missing your battery just the same!
The ability to “lend out” your battery and set it to disable after a certain amount of use or cycles, I can’t understand this for the life of me either!
The yeti
I’m guessing this and other products like it . Are aimed at younger guys . You know the ones who got an iPhone at 7 or eight years old . Just coming into the workforce now . Surely those guys need or want this junk . I know I don’t need a smartphone to run my drills or saws . Makes me wonder how the men did it back in the 40s . Fred how did u do so much without a blue tooth drill and saw
Joe
Agreed….total useless crap….I’m heavily invested in flex and 20vmax…I’m a builder….just devolop tools we need and want…we will buy them all…more powerful compact tools…more powerful compact batteries…expand all tool lines …Then play with the gadget stuff for the 1% ..don’t piss off the 99% that buy your tools
J.M.
I appreciate the tool connect feature and have been using it on the job everyday for over a year now.
As a general contractor. I do remodel, commercial and new construction. Most of my portable power tools are cordless and I’m very dependent on these batteries. I have 7 Bluetooth batteries, and at any one time I may have 5 or 6 clipped in a tool. Pulling out my phone and seeing the charge state of all batteries in one place saves time. Especially in the morning when im setting up for the day Failure to keep all batteries charged on my job site results in battery swapping between tools a total efficiency killer, costing me money. I have the double charger and with my whole job basically cordless, it’s always busy. Having the phone chime as soon as a charge bay is available keeps things flowing.
The enable/disable feature may seem useless, but if you’re doing a remodel in a house with kids turning off saws, nail guns drills, etc. with one button when you need to run to the truck or take a phone call outside is priceless and could prevent a tragedy. On a construction site, I know a laborer didn’t borrow a tool and chip a new blade on a nail or run my bore bit into concrete while I was at lunch.
Looking forward to what else DeWalt can do with this useful innovation.
Joe
Nice to see someone on here isn’t a knuckle dragging spastic.