C-12.... Ni-MH or Ni-CD?

[Tom the Remodeler]

So, if a guy were to go buy a new C-12 to augment his existing cordless setup, what kind of battery should he get? My understanding is there are three amp-hour options, and two weight options (my Fes rep says that the 3.0aH batteries weigh the same as the 2.4aH). So.... What to buy? The 3.0aH kit only costs $50 more than the 1.3aH kit, so in one regard you'd think it would be stupid to pass-up on increased amp-hours, but... it sure sounds like the 1.3 batteries are popular. Another consideration for me is I live in MN, and my tools are subjected to extremes of temperature, particularly cold temperatures. Sometimes I use my tools in temperatures below Zero F. Which chemistry is better suited to cold temps? Anyways, I appreciate any input you folks might have!

 

[Frank-Jan]

There used to be a battery guide on the hilti site, it has been a long time since I read it, and will post a link here if I find it again (was a long time ago, before Li-ion batteries where used in powertools). But the thing I remembered was that cold-weather performance was the main reason to choose the NiCad batteries.

 

[Frank-Jan]

I think this was the hilti thing I saw: link to pdf

It states the NiMh batteries have "limited suitability" below - 5 degrees Celcius, while the NiCd batteries work up to - 60... I don't like working outside when it's below -5 0 anyway, so not having NiCd batteries is just an extra excuse

/edit: (just ran it through a conversion thingy: -50Celcius is 230 Fahrenheit.)

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

Wow, thanks so much for the info Frank-Jan! That sounds about right with the Ni-MH not working well below freezing. I used to have the 14.4 Makita Driver/Impact driver combo kit with Ni-MH batteries, and the reason I sold them was they had no oomph below freezing, which I encounter quite often here in MN. So, it looks like I'd be getting the 1.3 Ah Ni-CD set. Thanks so much for the links!