considering Autoshift Drill

[reConx]

Originally Posted by roadrashray

I would not recommend the R969 because it contains the above drill and it contains either the MaxSelect or 18V impact tool which both share the same short comings. Namely, they are very poor performers. We have two MaxSelect impacts and one 18V impact in addition to two 14.4 impacts. The 14.4s are very good tools, albiet a little heavy due to the big NiCad batts. The MaxSelect and 18V impacts are horrible tools as demonstrated in the attached review

Ray you did some tests a few months ago on the Ridgid impact drivers and I agree with your test that the max-select version was inferior to the 18V impact driver. But now both drivers are inferior to the competition? The specs for the 18V Ridgid + Makita BTD 141 are:

Impact Driver:
Volts: 18 V
Coupler: ¼ in. Hex Quick Coupler
No Load Speeds: 0-2,400 r/min = Ridgid......0-2,300 r/min = Makita
0-3,100 IPM...................0-3,200 IPM
Torque: 1,450 in.lb....................1,330 in.lb

[reConx]

Originally Posted by peteg67

I've had it for a week already and really like it. I opted for the combo R969 because it's $20 more than just the drill and you get the radio (which I like/use alot) flashlight,and the impact. The impact I used yesterday and it seems to be ok. I mainly bought the combo for the drill though. I like Ridgid products and like to stick to one brand/voltage to share batteries. The warranty thing, I have heard good and bad things about. I'm sure Ridgid wants your business and will start to honor it's policy on a more consistant basis. Let's see how it goes. Good luck with your choice of tools.

After a few projects please consider a mini review of the AutoShift drill. My 18V Ridgid power tools have been very reliable and provide all the power I expect of pro-quality tools. The new e-box intro has been challenging but it should get better. The LSA is an asset to the Ridgid tools or battery that no one else matches. The supply of batteries and chargers etc has been poor except for kits and maybe Ridgid will eventually wise up.

[lurch]

Originally Posted by peteg67

I'm sure Ridgid wants your business and will start to honor it's policy on a more consistant basis. Let's see how it goes.

People have been saying and hoping for the same thing for a long time now on this forum and so far Ridgid hasn't changed their policy. Doesn't do any good to offer the LSA if you can't honor correctly.

[Newman]

Originally Posted by lurch

people have been saying and hoping for the same thing for a long time now on this forum and so far ridgid hasn't changed their policy. Doesn't do any good to offer the lsa if you can't honor correctly.

exactly!

[roadrashray]

Originally Posted by reConx

Ray you did some tests a few months ago on the Ridgid impact drivers and I agree with your test that the max-select version was inferior to the 18V impact driver. But now both drivers are inferior to the competition? The specs for the 18V Ridgid + Makita BTD 141 are:

Impact Driver:
Volts: 18 V
Coupler: ¼ in. Hex Quick Coupler
No Load Speeds: 0-2,400 r/min = Ridgid......0-2,300 r/min = Makita
0-3,100 IPM...................0-3,200 IPM
Torque: 1,450 in.lb....................1,330 in.lb

reConx.......Yep, I remember running those tests and thought the 18V was only marginally better than the MaxSelect when both were on 18V batts. I tried a search for that post and didn't find it. Do you know where it is?
I don't know which Makita impact is the model you posted specs for, however if you go to the "Tools on Line" test I believe you will see that both Makita's blow away the Ridgid impact. Not even close!
My personal experiance was on a framing job earlier this summer. I had climbed up to help fasten in the roof end soffit boxes. Forgot my impact, so a guy that was working with us handed me his little Makita impact. I almost fell off the ladder when this thing quietly and quickly ran the screws in. Still disbelieving after we got down we did a little comparison between his Makita 18V compact and my Ridgid MaxSelect running 24V batts. Running three inch screws, it was close with him a little faster but with alot less fuss. It's important to remember I was using 24V batts on the MaxSelect and know from extensive experiance that the 24s run circles around the 18s.

[reConx]

[quote=roadrashray;186348]
I don't know which Makita impact is the model you posted specs for, however if you go to the "Tools on Line" test I believe you will see that both Makita's blow away the Ridgid impact. Not even close!quote]

The specs are for my Makita BTD141 which is a real light-weight high performance impact driver. Specs are only data provided by the manufacturers and your job-site experience reports are probably more accurate user information. I read that tools-online test and will avoid that max-select version but have considered the regular 18V to complement my Ridgid lineup because spec-wise it looked competitive. Hopefully the tools-online test had a defective max-select tool.............It would be nice if Ridgid would defend its products or update the tool if it is not competitive.

[roadrashray]

[QUOTE=reConx;186358]

Originally Posted by roadrashray

I don't know which Makita impact is the model you posted specs for, however if you go to the "Tools on Line" test I believe you will see that both Makita's blow away the Ridgid impact. Not even close!quote]

The specs are for my Makita BTD141 which is a real light-weight high performance impact driver. Specs are only data provided by the manufacturers and your job-site experience reports are probably more accurate user information. I read that tools-online test and will avoid that max-select version but have considered the regular 18V to complement my Ridgid lineup because spec-wise it looked competitive. Hopefully the tools-online test had a defective max-select tool.............It would be nice if Ridgid would defend its products or update the tool if it is not competitive.

reConx........I would also wish that the MaxSelect used in the TOL test was defective. Unfortunately my experiance with that tool is that it was probably representative of the performance we have experianced. Let me be clear, I don't want to bash Ridgid tools. Our company has made a significant investment in Ridgid tools and we would hope they would all be competative, well built, professional grade tools. We don't expect them all to be the best on the market, however we certainly don't expect a Ridgid tool to be DEAD LAST especially in such an important catagory as the very popular and highly used Impact Tool catagory. We use these tools in a professional work catagory every day and are very dissapointed that their performance is so sub standard and that Ridgid responded to my inquiry in such a cavalier manner. I certainly would have hoped Ridgid would have "fixed" the problem with the 18V LI impact tool, however that doesn't seem to be the case.
I would appreciate a contact from ProBrand with some information that Ridgid acknowledges:
1-It has a problem with this tool
2-It is getting a fix
Ridgid has an important tool with this forum to get and provide information regarding their products. I don't know to what extent they get information, however our experiance over the last couple of years is they don't seem to take advantage of the opportunity to disseminate information.......Ray
I apologise for hijacking this guys thread for the autoshift drill. If anyone would like to discuss the Ridgid impact tool issue please go to my thread in this same section.....Ray

[reConx]

I mentioned that Ryobi introduced its version of the AutoShift drill in another country last month. I just got an email about its introduction in the US so check out the attachment:


and the link
http://www.ryobitools.com/autoshift/#/home/2

Looks familiar too!

[lurch]

Originally Posted by reConx

I mentioned that Ryobi introduced its version of the AutoShift drill in another country last month. I just got an email about its introduction in the US so check out the attachment:
Attachment 4887

and the link
http://www.ryobitools.com/autoshift/#/home/2

Looks familiar too!

Why would they launch the same thing in a DIY tool that they have in what they want everyone to believe is a "Pro" tool. If I were in the market for a pro grade tool and saw the Ryobi and Ridgid Aut Shift drills next to each other I wouldn't buy either one and would have serious doubts and the quality of it especially in the Ridgid.

Whats next the Ridgid One+ program? Oh thats right, they already have the Max Select tools.

[cpw]

Originally Posted by lurch

Why would they launch the same thing in a DIY tool that they have in what they want everyone to believe is a "Pro" tool. If I were in the market for a pro grade tool and saw the Ryobi and Ridgid Aut Shift drills next to each other I wouldn't buy either one and would have serious doubts and the quality of it especially in the Ridgid.

Especially if you listen to the lady in the Ryobi ad , saying how confusing shifting the drill is, but this drill decides for you.