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.
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.
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
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.