Now, Dewalt is introducing a new line of FlexVolt Advantage cordless power tools, which seem to be similar to Power Detect but capable of delivering even higher power levels.
Dewalt has previously announced new 20V Max Power Detect cordless power tools, which provide a boost in power when paired with 8.0Ah and similar high capacity batteries.
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Dewalt Power Detect cordless power tools also see a boost in power when paired with FlexVolt batteries. Read More: Dewalt Power Detect Q&A.
The new Dewalt FlexVolt Advantage power tools are said to:
provide a new threshold of power and performance by leveraging Dewalt 20V Max with FlexVolt Advantage tools, in order to reach their full potential. These tools, equipped with the FlexVolt Advantage technology, recognize the battery attached and adjust power output accordingly.
So, with these new Dewalt FlexVolt Advantage 20V Max cordless power tools, users will see more power when using the tools with FlexVolt batteries.
There will be 4 new tools:
- Hammer Drill DCD999
- 7-1/4″ Circular Saw DCS573
- Reciprocating Saw DCS386
- 4-1/2″ / 5″ Angle Grinder DCG416
All four of these new Dewalt 20V Max cordless power tools feature brushless motors.
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Dewalt FlexVolt Advantage Hammer Drill
The new Dewalt 20V Max brushless hammer drill with FlexVolt Advantage technology is said to deliver up to 42% more power when paired with a FlexVolt 6Ah battery.
It delivers more than 1200 UWO (what’s unit watts out and how does it relate to torque??) and also features a 3-mode LED worklight and housing upgrades designed for high torque applications.
Dewalt FlexVolt Advantage Circular Saw
The new Dewalt 20V Max FlexVolt Advantage brushless circular saw delivers up to 77% more power when paired with a FlexVolt 6Ah battery.
It has a 7-1/4″ blade size, right-facing blade, and 5800 RPM (no-load) motor.
Dewalt FlexVolt Advantage Reciprocating Saw
The new reciprocating saw is said to deliver up to 50% more power when paired with a FlexVolt 6Ah battery.
It delivers over 1400 UWO, has a 1-1/8″ stroke length, and 3000 SPM no-load speed.
Dewalt FlexVolt Advantage Angle Grinder
Lastly, the new 4-1/2″ / 5″ angle grinder delivers up to 54% more power when paired with a FlexVolt 6Ah battery.
It features a kickback brake and E-clutch system for user protection.
Pricing And Availability
- Hammer Drill
- Kit, DCD999T1: $279
- Bare Tool, DCD999B: $179
- Circular Saw Bare Tool, DCS573B: $199
- Reciprocating Saw Bare Tool, DCS386B: $199
- Angle Grinder Bare Tool, DCG416B: $199
- 6Ah FlexVolt Battery, DCB606: $159
So that’s $179 for the hammer drill, $279 for the hammer drill kit, and $199 for each of the other bare tools.
The new tools will be launching in October 2020. They will be sold at Home Depot and various independent retailers.
Discussion
What’s the difference between Power Detect and FlexVolt Advantage?
The main difference is Power Detect is optimized for 8.0 Ah packs and FlexVolt Advantage is optimized for FlexVolt packs, so each line supports a different battery platform. Changes to reach the new power levels vary slightly for each FlexVolt Advantage tool. But improved electronics packages (upgrades to components on the boards), software changes, and motor upgrades (more copper wire in motors, increased magnets, increased magnet size, and/or rotor angle/positioning) all help drive the additional power.
This leads to even more questions, and so we’ll be talking more with Dewalt to learn more about these new FlexVolt Advantage cordless power tools.
Lets try to make sense of things.
To speak frankly, this seems to muddle things a bit, as it blurs the line between Dewalt 20V Max and FlexVolt cordless power tool systems.
Let’s say you want a premium brushless circular saw. With this launch, you can choose between 20V Max, FlexVolt, 20V Max Power Detect, and 20V Max FlexVolt Advantage. There’s also a brushed motor option as well.
20V Max tools can be used with 20V Max of FlexVolt batteries. FlexVolt tools can only be used with FlexVolt batteries.
Dewalt updated their FlexVolt circular saw, reciprocating saw, and angle grinder late last year.
Looking at the reciprocating saw as an example, here are all of them from least to most powerful:
- 20V Max Power Detect DCS368: 1300 UWO
- 20V Max FlexVolt Advantage DCS386: >1400 UWO
- 60V Max FlexVolt DCS389: 1874 UWO
UWO (unit watts out) specs are not provided for all of Dewalt’s cordless circular saws.
What we can see is that FlexVolt tools deliver the most power. Power Detect and FlexVolt Advantage tools are tuned a little differently than standard 20V Max brushless tools, to deliver more power depending on what type of battery you intend to use with it.
20V Max users will see a benefit from powering Power Detect tools with Dewalt’s 8Ah battery. Users will see a greater benefit if pairing FlexVolt Advantage tools with FlexVolt batteries. FlexVolt cordless power tool users can only use FlexVolt batteries.
Generally, 20V Max tools offer great power and performance, and FlexVolt cordless power tools deliver much higher power and performance. There are many exclusive FlexVolt-specific tools, but core tools like these are available on both platforms – except for the hammer drill, for which there isn’t any FlexVolt-specific model (yet?).
Here’s the really difficult question: if you’re in the market for Dewalt brushless power tools, which should you buy? I honestly don’t know, and will have to learn more about the new tools before I can think of a good answer.
At this time, I don’t see many user advantages here.
You can buy Dewalt 20V Max Power Detect tools at Lowe’s and independent channels, and it looks like FlexVolt Advantage tools will be available at Home Depot and independent channels.
The Power Detect tools are available in kit format, and aside for the hammer drill, FlexVolt Advantage tools will be available in bare tool format.
If you want to know which I would buy, RIGHT NOW, given what I know, I would point towards Power Detect. I have been testing out the new tools and LOVE them thus far.
Let’s assume that Power Detect and FlexVolt Advantage tools deliver comparable performance using a standard 20V Max battery – let’s say 5Ah for example purposes. Let’s also assume that this performance level is comparable to that of the standard 20V Max brushless power tools where similar designs exist.
Pairing Power Detect tools with a higher capacity battery, such as a 20V Max 8Ah battery, or a FlexVolt battery will provide a boost in performance.
As discussed in our Dewalt Power Detect Q&A post, an 8Ah battery will provide the greatest performance benefit. With a 5Ah battery, users can experience similar power levels to existing Dewalt brushless tools. A 20V Max 6Ah battery provides an in-between boost in power.
I asked about how much of a boost in power and performance users can expect when pairing their Dewalt Power Detect cordless power tools with FlexVolt 9Ah and 12Ah batteries, and Dewalt confirmed that everything would be on-par with the 8Ah. FlexVolt 6.0Ah batteries would perform as well as the 20V Max 6.0Ah battery.
So, Dewalt Power Detect tools deliver a boost in power and performance when 20V Max 6Ah or 8Ah, or Flexvolt 6Ah, 9Ah, or 12Ah batteries are used.
These new Dewalt 20V Max FlexVolt Advantage cordless power tools are said to deliver a boost in power when FlexVolt batteries are used, with the suggestion that you will see max performance even with a FlexVolt 6.0Ah battery.
At this time, there is no information about how the new Dewalt 20V Max FlexVolt Advantage tools respond to any other type of Dewalt 20V Max or FlexVolt battery.
From a philosophical standpoint, I think that the Power Detect tools give you scaled performance depending on the type of battery you pair it with, while the FlexVolt Advantage tools are more appropriately viewed as tools designed for the FlexVolt power tool system while also being compatible with 20V Max batteries.
These core tools are extremely important, given how strong of a demand there is for cordless hammer drills, circular saws, reciprocating saws, and angle grinders.
If you ignore “standard” 20V Max brushless offerings and FlexVolt brushless power tool offerings, focusing only on 20V Max Power Detect and FlexVolt Advantage, it seems that Power Detect offers the most battery flexibility, providing scaled performance depending on type and size of battery, and FlexVolt Advantage has greater limitations tied to better rewards.
Check Price: Dewalt FlexVolt 6Ah Batteries via Amazon
With Power Detect, you get the most performance benefits when using 8Ah or higher capacity batteries.
With FlexVolt Advantage, it is strongly implied that you get the most performance benefits when using a 6Ah FlexVolt battery. AND, given limited specs, it seems that Dewalt 20V Max cordless power tools with FlexVolt Advantage technology deliver more power than Dewalt 20V Max Power Detect tools.
So, Power Detect gives you different performance improvements depending on battery type, which makes it more flexible.
Given presently available press information, FlexVolt Advantage gives you even more performance and when using a 6Ah FlexVolt battery.
I would expect that, if you have one type of tool in both FlexVolt Advantage and Power Detect styles, and both powered by a 6Ah FlexVolt battery, the FlexVolt Advantage tool would deliver more power than the Power Detect tool. Stepping up to higher capacity and pricier batteries for the Power Detect tool would close the gap, but based on published specs, the FlexVolt Advantage tools would maintain their performance advantage.
Things are looking a bit clearer now, but there’s more to learn.
What questions do you have?
Big Richard
You forgot to mention one of the biggest differences between Power Detect and FLEXVOLT Advantage. The FLEXVOLT Advantage tools can be Tool Connect compatible with the new Tool Connect chip. Per DeWalt, they are:
Tool Connect™ Chip Ready: Chip pocket accepts Tool Connect™ Chip DCE042 and connects with Tool Connect™ Site Manager app for easy asset management on the jobsite. (DCE042 sold separately)
Not sure if inserting the chip will give the tool all the abilities/features of a Tool Connect model, or if it is more similar to using a Tool Connect battery on a non-Tool Connect tool.
Stuart
I didn’t forget it – there wasn’t any mention of Tool Connect features in the press materials.
From the sound if, the Tool Connect compatibility is purely for inventory management.
Big Richard
There was no mention of Power Detect either, yet… There were pictures of the pocket and the press release stated to go to dewalt.com for more information about FLEXVOLT Advantage. So I did, wanted to be more informed vs less informed.
But I agree, it seems like the chip is a replacement for the Tool Connect Tag, but we shall see.
Brian
For me the decision would be whether or not I already owned any FlexVolt tools. As I own a couple I would likely go with the ‘FLEXVOLT Advantage’. If I didn’t own them (or plan on purchasing them) I’d stick wit the Power Detect based on what we know now,
Jared
That’s similar to what I was thinking too.
If power detect didn’t exist, I’d say this new system’s niche would be more obvious. Either way, I was thinking of these new releases as flexvolt tools – but ones that can still be used if I only have 20v max packs charged up.
If that is roughly true, then I think this is a great development.
Lance
I’m betting there’s literally no difference between Power Detect and FV Advantage, beyond marketing of course.
They’re both 20v tools and both draw more power when larger capacity batteries are attached. Simple. Higher capacity batteries have less voltage drop for a given load, which means tools can draw more power if the battery can support it.
The FVA is just the same idea taken a little farther for slightly more output, and a higher selling price?
On the other hand, it seems like a great way to increase the “size” of their 20v tool lineup. Sigh…
Travis
Wow, you are correct, this really does muddy the waters. I’ve been considering getting their 7 1/4″ circular saw but maybe I will wait until there on some reviews on this new series.
Steve G
Well I say it’s pretty funny.
JoeM
Wow… So… 4 new tools that, when paired with a FlexVOLT battery, can SHATTER my wrists if I can’t hold them tight enough, instead of just slipping out and spraining them… Awesome…
I mean that as a joke of course. It’s a nice thought that DeWALT is finding ways to blurr the barrier between battery systems, and their voltages, in order to do the work they need to do.
Mike
More power in saws and grinders is great, but I agree about the drills. Do we really need more power in a standard drill?! Now you can break 1/4″ drill bit 45% faster! I can see more power in the hole hawg style drills where you have some better control.
JoeM
I’m honestly curious if this power boost allows the 7-1/4″ saw to bridge the barrier between wood and metal cutting… That would, really, be my only real “I see the value in giving these particular tools THAT much boost” reaction. A Grinder is a Grinder is a Grinder. Putting more power in it just means more material removal, in less time. It doesn’t mean you don’t still have to be careful of heat generation, blade dulling, and chunks of stuff flying everywhere if the disc bites into something JUST right… so giving a Grinder more power is… at least SOMEWHAT sensible.
As to the Reciprocating Saw… I am curious if the extra power applies to the attack angle, as well as the reciprocation? Or maybe I’m thinking their Jigsaws on this… Maybe… Probably… but I would imagine we’re crossing a more dangerous threshold with the Reciprocator having that much power. Horizontal flex enertia. Is giving that much power to the reciprocal motion enough to wave the blade side to side before it enters the cut? Because that would mean you could EASILY line up everything PERFECTLY with that saw, and STILL end up with a crooked, or off-measurement cut. Will there be reinforced blades entering the market for tools of this power level?
I don’t doubt the quality of DeWALT tools… I’m Team Yellow, for sure. I’m just one of those weird ones who doesn’t see Milwaukee’s Team Red as the enemy. I see bad judgement by the Marketing Divisions as the Enemy. In THIS case? I think they could’ve skipped the Drill. Release one eventually, yeah, definitely… but they missed out on the ONE TOOL in the ENTIRE LINE that would genuinely have 100% benefit to the power increases. THE JIGSAW. Yeah, I know. The Brushed, and Brushless models already have WAY more power and utility than they need to have. But if any of the tools is going to SELL Team Yellow or Team Red users on this new line, it’s a tool they can PROVE gains benefits in power, both in SPEED boosts, AND Attack Angle cuts, without deforming the blades. If you could boost the Brushless 20 Volt Jigsaws, D-Grip OR Barrel Grip… Say… 20% in power… Suddenly you have the first Cordless Power Tools you could equip to do curved, and curled, cuts in materials like Marble and Granite. You’d open the market to “Long Blade” T-Shank Jigsaw blades that finally have a reason to exist, because there’s FINALLY a Jigsaw with the power to cut through material THAT thick without failing.
Now… That’s 20%… Check the specs up there… Look at the boosts that the Circular, Reciprocator, and yes, The DRILL, are getting from this new configuration. 42%, 50%, 54%, and a SHOCKING 77% from the Circular Saw… Let’s be conservative and say they dial it back for safety and the Jigsaw operates with a 33% boost… 1/3rd more power…. That’s proof of concept for the Jigsaw with the boost to be a welcomed sight to Demolition sites where they need a precision cut… Maybe to people involved in Rescue Operations, Safe Asbestos Removal, or even Tree Conservation… You could cut out a nest of wood parasites faster, and with less damage to the tree, using a REALLY fast, REALLY aggressive Jigsaw, rather than destroying a whole forest.
Now imagine that as a proof of concept… Suddenly FlexVOLT staple tools drop down to the 20 Volt level, because they can be used with more efficiency using the 20 Volt platform with the boost… 7-1/4″ TRACK SAW, Anyone? Tile Cutting WET SAW? Chop Saw? Coolant Pump?? In the 20 VOLT MAX/XR Family! THAT would be Industry-Changing without a doubt.
And, yes… I know this seems fanciful, like I’m a Fanboy… but remember… I’m still the same idiot who used my original BRUSHED 985 Flip-Handed and sprained his wrist doing so… I’m NOT jumping to tempt fate by running out to buy an EVEN MORE DANGEROUS Drill. I’m just saying… It’s nice that they’re innovating… Blurring the lines between 20 Volt Max/XR and FlexVOLT more… But I KNOW they’ve made a mistake in what tools they’ve chosen to release for this lineup.
bobad
Sacrilege! MORE POWER!!! 🙂
Joseph Bourque
Hi Mike. I’m one of those guys that would want more power in a regular drill. I find regular 20 V drills grossly under-powered for Electricians using 1″ ship auger bits, especially when drilling through layered 2 x 4/6’s. They could be much better drilling with large hole saws too.
Mike
Here it is in a nutshell power detect is Lowe’s and flexvolt advantage is Home Depot, it seems to me these big box stores are running the show, Home Depot has TTI by the balls you can’t Ryobi, Ridgid and Milwaukee which you can buy on line very limited and some other stores like acme and a few others but they are not all over the place like Home Depot
Big Richard
You’re not totally wrong. I think Power Detect is the next gen 20V for retailers who do not carry FLEXVOLT (i.e. Lowes) and FLEXVOLT Advantage is the next gen 20v for retailers who do carry FLEXVOLT (i.e. Home Depot). Both are available through other independent retailers.
Similar to how 12v Xtreme is the compact line available at Lowes, while Atomic 20v is the compact line available at Home Depot.
There is definitely some overlap between the two lines, but it really covers any possible user’s needs.
Aaron
This was my first reaction too… Everything is “exclusive” anymore, especially from SBD. So these are just different enough to not damage some exclusivity agreement while using mostly the same parts and filling the same basic niche.
Jim Felt
In marketing as in any field simplicity is mostly going to win in the long haul.
This just seems badly thought out. Too many Dewalt management disjointed Zoom meetings?
I’m glad Milwaukee, Hilti and Bosch still believe in this logic.
Big Richard
Right? And why do car manufacturers have so many different cars? You go to a lot and they have red ones, blue ones, 2 door, 4 door, turbo charged, V8, leather interiors, cloth interiors, shiny wheels, black wheels, blah blah blah. Every car should be the same and every consumer should drive that same car. Period. There’s just too many options, people shouldn’t be able to buy a car that best fits their needs.
And you’re lucky you clearly have not had to explain the difference between M18, M18 Brushless, M18 Fuel, M18 Fuel One-key, and M18 Fuel HO to someone.
Jim Felt
“There’s just too many options, people shouldn’t be able to buy a car that best fits their needs.“
That’s not what I said! I was simply making light (fun?) of their jargon. And as you later so adroitly postulated their likely marketing thinking I agree with you.
I’m just glad I can kinda keep up with the gawd awful number of tool and so many other product categories I try to and in some cases must.
Big Richard
I too was making light of your comment. It is a little overwhelming to have so many options, but it really covers a majority of users and crosses different markets/retailers. Will both lines survive as they seemingly compete with themselves? Maybe, maybe not. I just think its cool. Just like Makita’s 40v XGT vs. 2x18v LXT.
Jason
>I’m glad Milwaukee, Hilti and Bosch still believe in this logic.<
Have you seen the number of Milwaukee 18V battery lines they have? Each tailored to a different subset of tools. What Dewalt did here really is no different than what Milwaukee has been doing for years. Once again, everyone thinks it's genius when Milwaukee does it and stupid when Dewalt does it.
Andrew
The names for these tools are getting ridiculous
Dewalt Flexvolt 20V/60V Max Brushless Circular Saw
Or
Dewalt 20V Max Flexvolt Advantage Brushless Circular saw
Or
Dewlat 20V Max Power Detect Brushless Circular Saw
I’ll stick with company’s that don’t try and confuse you with 5 different versions of the same tool (I.e. M18 FUEL and Makita LXT)
Kentucky fan
M18, m18 brushless, m18 fuel, m18 fuel one key, plus the newer non fuel premium brushless?
Makita makes it more confusing by not differentiating between their premium and regular offerings well honestly.
Gordon
I’m sorry, what is confusing about Makita? They have Brushless (BL), non-brushless, and X2.
Stuart
Don’t forget about the upcoming 40V Max XGT – 36V batteries in 18V sized packages.
Big Richard
M18 CP 3.0 HO
Or
M18 XC 3.0
M18 Sawzall
Or
M18 FUEL Sawzall
Or
M18 FUEL Sawzall w/One Key
Or
M18 Fuel Super Sawzall
Makita has 18v, 2x18v, and soon to be 40v versions of the same tools as well. All the brands do it to some degree. It’s only confusing if you don’t know a lot about tools/batteries.
JakeJ
Bosch don’t. Just have to be prepared to watch every other carpenter march right passed You with their shiny new cordless track saw, router, meter saw, you name It ,,, and wonder when yours is coming…..and then be willing to pay. Bosch now taking preorders in Australia for their cordless axial glide saw for a measly $1350 Australian dollars (~$900 usd). Sad thing is, is that I’ll probably buy one
Big Richard
Bosch did come out with their CORE batteries and their new tools are specifically designed to get maximum power when paired with the CORE batteries. Very similar to M18 HO, DeWalt Power Detect, and now FLEXVOLT Advantage.
andrew
with the exception of one-key Milwaukee has obvious differences in their tools, a HO 3.0 is just a slim pack 3.0 the sawzalls are either brushed, fuel or super sawzall. if someone is looking for a sawzall and doesn’t know the difference between a sawzall and a super sawzall that’s on them.
Big Richard
It’s obvious to you or I as a Milwaukee user. For an average consumer with no history of Milwaukee offerings, almost certainly not obvious. And using your logic, if someone doesn’t know the difference between 60v FLEXVOLT and 20v FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE that’s on them, too.
Point is this is not a unique thing to DeWalt or power tools in general. It’s consumerism 101. If I ask my wife to pick me up a case a beer, she is going to walk in to a store and see hundreds of options that all look the same to her. Brand A offers a dozen different beers including 4 different IPAs, does that mean Brand A is sTuPiD and you should buy Brand B because they only offer 2 IPAS? More is better (especially with beer), it just means you need to be a little more informed, which is generally also a good thing.
Aaron
yeah, difference is that in milwaukee if you buy the wrong stuff it still works just not optimally. If you buy the wrong dewalt stuff it may just not work. They have incompatible systems that look like they should be compatible but just arent.
Big Richard
Well Aaron, tell that to my friend who bought an M18 circ saw and was baffled to find out that his M12 battery from his drill/impact kit didn’t work. “But they’re both Milwaukee?” Swear to god, can’t make that up. He’s not the handy type.
The only DeWalt incompatibility is you cannot power a 60v tool with a 20v battery. Any 20v tool will work with any 20v battery or any FLEXVOLT battery.
Danny
I think why not just buy Flexvolt cordless tools and avoid both power Detect & Flexvolt Advantag are you telling me that either of these two products are going to make more power than the flexvolt line of Products
Stuart
FlexVolt is still more powerful, but you don’t have the option to use 20V Max batteries in a pinch or when you prefer a smaller and lighter tool configuration.
Doug N
Also, there is no Flexvolt-only hammer drill that I know of.
Corey Moore
They compensate by having more high voltage (Flexvolt) rotohammers than anyone lol
Kizzle
There are many many times when I don’t want the size of FlexVolt batteries. This seems ideal. Use 20v batteries for small jobs and FlexVolt for large ones.
Joatman
I was scouring the big box stores for an angle grinder over the weekend. Decided to go with a Bosch with variable speed since I’ll be using it mostly for sanding wood…$120. It’s corded.
Anyway……I glanced over at the Yellow & Black impact/drill/drivers assortment and couldn’t believe how many different variations there were. A year ago I was going to upgrade my Dewalt 20v driver (model # DC-INTROCHEAPO)……..but remember giving up on comparing specs.
Joe H
I kind of follow tool lines as indicated by my frequenting ToolGuyd and other sites but I’d imagine a young guy just getting into the trades right now but wanting to invest in a professional set of tools might be completely overwhelmed by the number of different tool lines within a manufacturer such as DeWalt or Milwaukee. I’d imagine there was much less choice 15 years ago. I’m not saying its a bad thing, but man at this rate they may need to start handing out pamphlets in the power tool aisle.
Dominic S
Seems to me Milwaukee has catered the most directly to the mechanical trades. Not to mention the simplest battery system. I understand the high output vs non high output confusion for those new to the tool line but really, grab an M18 battery for any M18 tool and you’re ready to get’er done, at least for a few minutes if you happened to grab a 1.5ah battery!
PETE
My store which is the central store- mostly commercial customers. They have had dedicated milwaukee rep that spends most of his time at that store to help customers with any questions.
Kent
They have jumped the shark, and I’ll happily continue to buy M18 and M12 tools.
I have no desire to wade through a mountain of marketing BS.
Kizzle
Lol. What do you think Milwaukee’s NPS is? It’s full of outlandish demos and claims about their tools. All tool companies do it. Don’t act as if Milwaukee isn’t guilty of it for your own confirmation bias.
PETE
I think his point is that milwaukee has simpler strategy- only using the 18v platform in comparison to the 20v & 60v dewalt strategy. Now dewalt has tools that are only optimized for certain battery sizes & voltages. And i would agree with him. I don’t like it one bit. Which is why I left makita- when their batteries had to have stars or another identifying feature to make it compatible or not.
Kent
Kizzle,
I can use any M18 tool with any M18 battery. For example, I can borrow my dad’s M18 leaf blower and use the same battery from my construction tools. He can borrow my saw, and put the leaf blower battery in it.
Not sure what that has to do with NPS and demos. I’m talking about the simplicity of batteries and tools.
Use whatever tools you like, but don’t throw around insults and accuse me of confirmation bias.
Big Richard
While I can’t speak for Kizzle, I believe they were referring to your comment about not wanting to wade through “a mountain of marketing BS”, while Milwaukee is often considered king of that mountain (they host their own invite only trade show symposium). You indicate you will stick with Milwaukee, which was just ironic as it went against your disdain of marketing BS statement. Just sorta contradicting.
And btw, you can use ANY DeWalt 20v battery with any DeWalt 20v tool as well, just like your M18.
Kent
I don’t care about the trade show; it’s not aimed at me.
I feel that the multitude of names for DeWalt tools and batteries is marketing BS, and I’m sorry that I ruffled fathers of the DeWalt users.
And I’m going to call it a marking failure when people who read this website aren’t aware that all DeWalt 20v tools can use the same batteries.
Steve
I think I will stay with Makita
Bob
Pretty disappointing. Was really hoping for their next tool announcement to be some actual new tools instead of a re-re-release/update of existing tools (cordless pin nailer, 10” miter saw, belt sander to name a few.) How many times do they expect people to buy the same tools? Or is this just geared towards new users who do not yet own these particular tools? Strange to me.
Doc John
It’s as clear as mud
Doc John
Another point:
Choice fatigue.
Why many males can’t/ do not want to wade thru nonsense. Yup, I said it. Our time is too valuable .
Corey Moore
Nothing I’m interested in as a DeWalt user. No use for power detect, either. My DCD791 is still perfect daily driver, and I’ve got Flexvolts for each of those other tools. Seems DeWalts still in a meandering phase. Not like I’m without for anything, just boring waiting in the dark while they play with vendors.
Josh Walters
Id rather see dewalt introducing new tools, or upgrading their more disappointing tools. Milwaukee is PUMPING out new tools and dewalt just isnt.
Whats the point of this tool? If I have Flexvolt Batteries, im buying a Flexvolt Tool, or the 20v does pretty well for its cost.
bobad
I’m the “sumer” part of “Prosumer”, and I own most of the now old tools in that list. The hammer drill will twist my arm out of socket, the reciprocating saw will rattle my bones, the 7-1/4 will smoke my blades, all with a 5ah battery if not used carefully. So no Tool Time “more power!” needed by me! I can certainly understand a pro wanting/needing them, but I think the “sumers” outnumber them. Maybe they will make the prices go down on my tools.
Nathan
SO I’m most interested in the circular saw. which seems to be a good cross breed. Did I read right that it will provide flexvolt power with the flexvolt battery. Not the newest GEN flexvolt but the first gen flexvolt.
Which is still more than plenty. For the home owner I see my more likely to end up owning a flexvolt battery or 2 as dewalt upgrades the OPE segment. But not owning flexvolt mainline tools
JD
Good confirmation of two days of study on Dewalt circular saws that confusingly make comparisons to different baselines. Home Depot FV is always seems out of stock when offering a “deal” so been looking hard at the Lowes PD setup as a gift for a farm hand. I went team yellow after a hedge trimmer and weed eater. Now I have 1/2 inch high torque lug buster, 3/8 nut turner, brad nailer, chainsaw in the 4 wheeler, percussion drill, pole trimmer, lights, and the basic tools. Started out with big Rigid set and have no complaints there either. I own Milkwaukee and Makita corded circa 1990 and no problems. Technology just changes. I don’t expect to be using this same battery stuff in 10 years as the base will change again if the last 10 years has taught us anything about incredible changes in power and run time! I was always a Makita fanboy in my youth, but the options are just not there for me now in batteries. Do what works for YOU and stop being a hater.
Kirk
I think originally the 60v/120v flexvolt line was created for the higher output superhawg, miter table and circ /worm saws that dewalt could not create the battery output needed to power these tools on 20v batteries yet released the 20×2 lawn mower? I have owned the flexvolt circ saw since 2015, a good 3 years before the milwaukee m18 saw was released and even longer before the fuel line or m18 ho batteries were available. Plus no way would I buy a saw with a plastic blade guard!, maybe at that time makita x2 was the only other cordless saw with a metal blade guard available. The saw continues to be a beast, still use everyday
Kirk
Edited* ok I’ve owned saw since early 2016, milwaukee released their 7 1/4 late 2018, almost 3 years! Dewalt is always leader in innovation, milwaukee takes ryobi innovation and tools and improves on them, even new nailers are airstrike tech with better CPU & features, and yes all work on same battery but will one day fade pink. Dewalt is now any battery any tool!! Same same