Festool Syslite overview

[vwdave]

Now it's my turn to post my Syslite video...  I've had the Syslite for a few weeks now and its come in handy for many projects around the job site. The video doesn't even do justice to just how bright the Syslite is. I have a feeling once the Syslite is out for sale I'll be picking up another, I'm constantly taking it in and out of my home and the work truck and I'm always finding new uses for it.

Festool Syslite Overview Demo Open Box

Dave

 

[mouppe]

Thanks for the video Dave.

One question, is the syslite rainproof, water resistant etc? Curious to know whether it would be good on a camping trip.

Richard.

 

[Deansocial]

i would deffo lose the hooks

 

[vwdave]

Richard, hopefully Shane will pop in or I'll email him about the syslite being water resistant. I don't think it is. But I could see how that would be an extremely helpfully feature.

I also hope they do a special bundling price. Having at least 2 lights would be great for onsite installs.

Dave

 

[nehardwoodfloors]

You should strap that thing onto a trail bike for night riding!
Ive seen your diablo bikes in the bg of another video.
I'm out in Ma. If you haven't been to highland mtn, you really need to go!

Thanks for the review, I now need one!

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

One question, is the syslite rainproof, water resistant etc? Curious to know whether it would be good on a camping trip.

Richard, I'd say it's somewhat water resistant just because of the plastic and rubber exterior, but definitely not waterproof. I wouldn't leave it out in the rain for an extended period.

 

[Scott B.]

Nice video Dave. Having watched yours and kreg's, it is really interesting to see what functional aspects you guys are drawn to. Very exciting to see this tool finally coming out.

 

[RC]

So now we need two kits and a rev. 2 of the lamp:

Kit 1: installers set with two lamps in a systainer with gorilla pods to be able to work with an external battery attached while still have the lamp hang from arbitrary objects.

Kit 2: the campers kit with a solar charger added to the current kit as well as a suitable bike stand in as small a bag as possible.

And eventually make version 2 of the lamp with waterproofing and the hook integrated into the main body instead of the back plate. It could for example fold out of the side like a swiss army knife blade instead.

Kit 1 is something even a dealer could put together but it should come at a price incentive vs just buying the gear off Amazon.

 

[Frank-Jan]

...
Also loosing the hook sucks when sticking an external battery on!   I have actually lost one of the hook attachments for my syslites...  

I did the same thing... and I only have 1.

I just checked ekat, number for the hook is 701293 ( Price in Holland 3,31 € without tax), for the plate that slides onto the light it's 498848 (€ 11,64)

Allthough I think I'll find it again, I'm ordering one to screw onto the shelving in my van.

/edit: the parts I ordered arrived today, allthough it shows differently on the ekat site; the 498848 part (the cover) already includes the hook. (so I now have a spare hook)

 

[ericbuggeln]

Dave, I had that same Oneill T shirt back in 1986 when I was cruising the Boardwalk in Ocean City. Seriously though, good review on a product that people have been getting by without forever. Certainly better then Kregs. I really only use my HD pair of lights for drywall finishing, but could see how going cordless could make this operation easier. Im sure if I get one I would find my self using it all the time. I currently use the small one that came in a combo pack for grilling steaks. Thanks for the review, Eric

 

[nclemmons]

Nice review Dave -

Regarding the hook and losing it's utility with an extra battery, I'm thinking you could use one of these -

http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Tripod-Digital-Camera-Camcorder/dp/B006M7WCNS/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1337531072&sr=8-6

if it's a standard tripod screw on the unit.  That would let you either clamp the unit on a shelf or rafter / stud or unscrew and potentially hang it as well.

Or there are lots of options with a 1/4 x 20 hook / eye bolt as well.

Appreciate the detailed overview.

neil

 

[vwdave]

Ron

You can only go down in battery size for your drills, you can't go up in voltage. And the lithium drills can use both lithium and nicad batteries no greater then the voltage battery they came with. The syslite can use all nicad and lithium battery's currently available but not the cxs.

Dave

 

[builderbob]

IIRC, it wasn't about battery size it was amp hours that determines the length of time that the syslite will run on an external. That I believe is the question we should be asking! Please correct me if I'm wrong!

Bob

I didn't answer the question about the drills & batteries...thanks Dave for the clarification!

 

[Frank-Jan]

...
A question for you / Shane -- I have the T15-3 drills set (two batteries).  What is the smart size battery for me to buy for the Syslite external?  ...

Shane did some testing, but with all the new syslite threads it took me a while to find it: link

I think, the logic choice in your case would be the 14.4V 3.0Ah version.

(Personally I didn't buy an extra battery for the syslite, I mostly use a 10.8 V 2.6 Ah battery of my protool duradrive collated drywall gun (because that only gets used when hanging drywall, so now the batteries get used more often)

 

[jacko9]

Nice review Dave -

Regarding the hook and losing it's utility with an extra battery, I'm thinking you could use one of these -

http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Tripod-Digital-Camera-Camcorder/dp/B006M7WCNS/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1337531072&sr=8-6

if it's a standard tripod screw on the unit.  That would let you either clamp the unit on a shelf or rafter / stud or unscrew and potentially hang it as well.

Or there are lots of options with a 1/4 x 20 hook / eye bolt as well.

Appreciate the detailed overview.

neil

Neil,  Great link, I'm ordering one right now [big grin]

Jack

 

[waynelang2001]

I think it would be cool if festool made an adapter that you can plug the charging cable into. That adapter would then be able to have one of the cordless drill batteries clip in. That way you can keep the hook on the syslite and still have a battery attached.

 

[GPowers]

Dave must really like the Syslight to be out mowing his lawn at night? [big grin]

 

[Sean7a]

Dave must really like the Syslight to be out mowing his lawn at night? [big grin]

His neighbors must love him too  [eek]

 

[Kev]

OK, so rather than buy (2) spare batteries compatible with my T15+3 @ $95. ea. it might make more sense to buy the Festool 564393 T 18 Cordless Drill, 18 Volt, 3.0 Ah set ($510.) which comes with two (2) batteries (compatible with the Syslite).  For an extra $310. I would then have the advantage of an 18v drill, >torque & ># screws per charge. 
As far as I see the right angle and offset chucks are compatible between the T15 and T18 drills.(?)
The other decision point being whether I really need the added torque of the T18 (I've never found the T15 to fall short).

You guys so NEED Protool. The PDC18-4 is the ducks guts.

 

[Sean7a]

OK, so rather than buy (2) spare batteries compatible with my T15+3 @ $95. ea. it might make more sense to buy the Festool 564393 T 18 Cordless Drill, 18 Volt, 3.0 Ah set ($510.) which comes with two (2) batteries (compatible with the Syslite).  For an extra $310. I would then have the advantage of an 18v drill, >torque & ># screws per charge. 
As far as I see the right angle and offset chucks are compatible between the T15 and T18 drills.(?)
The other decision point being whether I really need the added torque of the T18 (I've never found the T15 to fall short).

You guys so NEED Protool. The PDC18-4 is the ducks guts.

"The ducks guts!"  I'll be using that quiiiiite a bit this week.  Gotta love it.  And yes Christian, we need Protool.