I’ve been seeing a whole lot of what looks to be paid promotions for Bosch’s new influencer campaign on social media. If you’re on Instagram, I’m sure you’ve seen it too. And then I received a press release about it.
Dear Bosch: When I said that I was hoping to see more press releases, I meant about new Bosch tools. But I guess I should be happy that we’re still in the loop, even though we didn’t get one of those swanky new Core18V batteries. I guess we’re not “influencer” enough for you?
Anyway, here’s how it started off:
Does your relationship feel heavy and depleted? Is your partner unable to swiftly recharge after an already insufficient energy boost? It’s time to cut ties – with your power tool battery platform, that is.
And with Bosch Power Tools’ launch today of “Break Up 2 Trade Up”, the timing couldn’t be better! The nationwide contest urges tool users from all walks of life to share Instagram videos about why they’re ready to kick their battery platforms to the curb. The callout ends Nov. 21, when 1,000 winners will be invited to swipe right on a break-up kit containing a Bosch CORE18V battery, charger, and their pick of seven power tools.
Sorry, but no. I’m pretty happy with my current cordless power tool choices. My tool box is a rainbow of different cordless power tool brands.
Bosch wants you to create a break-up video and share it with your social media friends and followers, for a chance to win (1) battery, (1) charger, and (1) new cordless power tool from 7 choices.
Contestants can enter for their chance to win starting Tuesday, Nov. 5, by posting a brief video to Instagram explaining why they are ready to move on from their current battery platform.
They’re giving away up to 1,000 prize packages.
Bosch will choose the most creative breakups to win a prize kit.
Some of the prize choices include newer tools, such as the 2nd generation “FREAK” impact tool, and others are a bit older such as the compact band saw Bosch came out with in 2011.
Here are the Bosch 18V cordless power tool:
- Reciprocating saw
- 6-1/2″ circular saw
- Radio
- 4-1/2″ angle grinder
- FREAK 2-in-1 impact
- Vacuum
- Compact band saw
(Pst. if you enter the contest, go for the PowerBox radio!!)
I at first thought that some of these tools were from the new Bosch “MegaWatt” tools collection, but they’re not, as the Freak impact looks to be the only brushless tool from among the prize choices.
Also, looking into it, the new MegaWatt tools don’t seem to have been released yet, such as the 7-1/4″ Strong Arm” circular saw, with retailers listing it as a preorder or out of stock. Hopefully we’ll see these new tools in 2020.
The tool prize choices are described in an online dating profile-like manner. For example, here’s what it says for the 2-in-1 impact (the FREAK):
Occupation: 18V Freak Impact Driver for bits and sockets
Hobbies: Driving
Likes: People who like to screw around
Dislikes: People who think there’s only one way to get things doneCHOOSE ME IF YOU THINK IT’S TIME TO MAKE AN IMPACT!
I like Bosch – a lot – but my relationship with other brands’ cordless power tools do not leave me feeling heavy and depleted. Other brands’ batteries do just fine recharging swiftly, and they certainly don’t have insufficient energy.
Bosch certainly does make some fine tools. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you about any of the new stuff, as we still don’t have review samples in-hand. I was excited about the compact brushless drills and impact drivers, but it has proven to be very difficult to get my hands on them.
There are lots of Bosch cordless power tools, accessories, and layout tools that I can heartily recommend. I really like their 12V compact cordless tools, for example, and their one-button laser distance measuring tools, and I also favor Bosch for certain types of power tool accessories.
But breaking up with other cordless power tool brands?
Bosch has some very nice tools and innovations. But overall? Let’s look at the brands I believe correspond to those other “colors.”
Dewalt
Makita
Metabo
Hitachi/Metabo HPT
Milwaukee
Ridgid
If I had to rank all of these brands’ cordless power tool systems in regard to innovations, breadth of lineup, battery options, availability, brushless tools, and overall, Bosch’s 18V system would certainly best Metabo’s.
Bosch is a cordless power tool brand that makes some very good tools. But as a whole, as a competitive system?
What are your thoughts? Would you break up with your cordless power tool system for Bosch?
Here’s what I would want to win – it’d take a couple of tools to convince me to break up with my current cordless platforms:
