Bronx,
I'd love to have a C12 with lithium batteries. In fact, I'd love to have a C12 retro-fit kit. However, I doubt that you'll see one.
The issue with the C12 is it's shape. Even a lot of lot of staunch Festoolians don't like it. The shape is uncomfortable at first. However...
When you USE it, it works out nicely. For light drilling and driving, you pull the trigger with your index finger. For heavier work, you move your hand up to the top and hit the trigger with your middle finger. This puts your arm in line with the centerline of the chuck. With the depth-stop chuck, you can easily drive home sheet rock screws with one hand.
The new "T" drills are nice, but Festool reverted to the standard drill shape. This is easier to hold, but your hand and arm is below the centerline of the drill. For heavy drilling/driving, standard- shaped drills are more difficult to hold because you have to grip tightly and torque your wrist forward. That said...
The question arises: Should you use these drills for the heavy stuff. For driving big screws, the answer is clear to me - NO! An impact driver is much superior to any drill. Try driving 3" X 5/16" lag screws into doubled 2X's. My C12 can handle it, but after 60 or so, it takes a toll on your hand. With my Makita Impact Driver, it's faster and transmits no torque to my wrist.
So the question now arises, what is the right overall solution? Obviously it depends on your specific needs, but I believe that best overall solution would be:
1) A C12 shaped brushless drill with 15V LiIon batteries, all Festool chucks, 3 speeds, and top speed of 3000+ RPMs.
2) A 15V LiIon impact impact driver with a brushless motor and a VERY short head.
Sad to say, but I don't think this will happen.
Regards,
Dan.
