Hi Kev
I just watched a video of the Hitachi circular saw, done by another enthusiastic amateur like me, and I must say that I would not even review it - the dust was going everywhere and the poor guy was struggling to say anything meaningful.
However, I was impressed by the drills that I reviewed and I am sticking to my own Hitachi drills and drivers - that is unless Father Festool comes down the chimney later this year! On second thoughts I am happy with my Hitachis and would rather he brought the Festool CMS-OF insert.
Peter