Non-Airstream 18V Batteries

[SonOfMI]

Some places sell the T18 as part of Festool product# 564575 for almost $200 less than product# 574761.  The difference is 574761 has the Airstream batteries and charger.  564575 has the "non" airstream batteries and charger.  Everything else is the same, same chucks, same drill, same systainer, two 5.2Ah batteries.

Here are my questions:

1. Is Airstream technology worth it to you guys? 

2. Can the non-Airstream batteries work with the Carvex?  My Bosch jigsaws are still running fine, but it's worthwhile to know this for future reference.

3. I can't find any specs on this and the places that sell them don't know either, but what is the charging time for the batteries?  Say the 5.2Ah battery and the 2.6Ah?

4. Could I pick up some smaller batteries and even if they are Airstream, charge them on the non-Airstream charger?

 

[Gregor]

1: No. But I only use the batteries for my drills.
2: Yes.
3: Airstream most likely will be be faster (as it can actively cool the pack), but I don't care as I can't spend the 'normal' ones faster than recharging them with a TCL3.
4: Yes.

Picture may be different in case you have high drain tools (like the TSC) in production use, so YMMV.

 

[Bikermutt07]

I think the price difference is reflecting the phasing out of the non airstream battery sets. Recently, Bob Marino tools had all of their saws with non airstream batteries on clearance.

This is only a guess, though.