Hi Dogwood, don't worry, I will report back with experience from the field. Just don't hold your breath because this isn't getting any easier, because......
I went to a couple stores today to check out whatever they had. So I played with the Protool PDC, very cool but initial impression was that it is bulky compared to my C12. Now it isn't so bulky I cannot see it happening, I understand it is a very powerful machine, more powerful than the C12 (which feels like part of my hand after all those years using C models )and intended for rougher work and I think I can get used to it. Because it feels good too, it is a cool machine, nice balance and not as heavy as it looks. So I can def see myself getting that one just need to sniff it some more and I'll try to wait for the new model.
So than I looked for the impact model IWC. It was hard to miss, hanging on the wall there because it is HUGE!! It is a huge and heavy machine, when I said the PDC is bulky, this IWC feels way more bulky and just too heavy. I mean, consider it is made to screw a lot of screws for a living and most impact drivers are compact models, why is this so BIG? I've not held it next to the PDC but I'm sure when you but a centrotec on both the IWC is longer. In any case, this thing is not happening for me, I just don't understand it.
I quickly checked a Makita 18V (not too bad but not what I want right now) and Dewalt (done with Dewalt) and went next door to Hilti.
I can be brief here, my experience was the same as with Protool only revers and a bit more extreme. Their 22volt Impact is just the coolest impact I've ever seen or held, WOW! It is very compact and light despite the big 22volt 3Ah battery. I know this is the one, it's a no brainer.
Then their 22volt cordless drill, what can I say.... that thing is just silly huge. Using capitals isn't enough to try to tell how huge it is. If there had been a 22 volt cordless drill in 1990, this would have been it. For sure.
So to sum it up, I'm trying to justify buying the Hilti Impact with two batteries etc PLUS possibly the new Protool PDC also with two batteries etc because any other choice just doesn't seem to make sense now... ???
Any brands I've not mentioned so far? I've checked Bosch, Makita, Dewalt, Fein, Festool, Protool, Metabo (only online though, think it is not for me but wouldn't mind checking those in the flesh), Hitachi and Panasonic (their 14,4 models are great but the others seem less so). What have I missed apart from brands only available in North America?
Cheers, Bob.
Maybe I should check it again, I really have my hart set on that SID, I could get the bare SFH body for relatively cheap to go with it, a lot cheaper than the Protool AND the SID...
