Will Carvex Antiquate The Trion?

D

darita

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Jan 23, 2007
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I'm just wondering if the new Carvex will make the Trion, yesterday's news?  How would you compare the two?
 
I have replaced my trion PS300  with a carvex.PS400 Good points better dust extraction, lights make viewing cut area easier and the right angle free movement of the plug socket it is quite a good idea, however I always use an extractor when cutting and find without the extractor port being able to rotate the flexible plug it does not make any difference. also the start stop triggers are prone to accidental start / stopping due to the position on the main area of body. All in all I do think the 400 / 420 is a better model
 
I watched a video online and saw that the Carvex cuts perfect 90*, even on thick stock.  Will the PS300 do that as well?
 
I admit when the Carvex was first shown that I knew I had to purchase one. It was so cool and with those various bases could do some really neat cuts. With the delay of its introduction, I have rethought the purchase and will stay with the current model. Now I would love to have the light and would truly love to have a faster easier blade adjustment system. As to all the extra bases, thinking back I just don't see the need for them for my hobby type usage. The PS300 cuts great and really does do a true vertical cut in thick material and has power to spare. For the price, it is a very nice saw.
 
I'm waiting for the Carvex but no doubt plenty of folks will be fine with a trion and if so why spend more for features you have no use for? The two can happily coexist in the marketplace.
 
My advice to all you PS300 owners is unload them now while they're still worth something.  I used to have one but sold it long ago and bought a Bosch.  The dust shroud on the PS300 obscures your cut line and without it, the dust extraction is gone.  The Carvex is a game changer.  I saw it at JLC and it's leaps and bounds above the PS300 and my Bosch.
 
Will both be offered or is the Carved replacing the Trion?  Expected price?
 
I see no point in replacing my Trion with a Carvex. If seeing the cut line is crucial, I hold the jigsaw under the table and cut from below. It's a skill worth having from time to time.
 
Over the years I avoided battery tools that I don't use often, such as jig saws.  The old nicad batteries were generally discharged whenever I needed to use them.  
The Carvex battery saw (using the same drill & Syslite batteries) should be a real game changer for my purposes (even though it will be tethered to the dust collector).

I'll be in line for one.   [thumbs up]
 
I have been using electric portable jigsaws sine they were introduced in the late 1940s. By the time I drank the Festool KoolAide in 2006, I hardly ever used a jigsaw routinely. A few months later I discovered my long-time jigsaw no longer functioned. Maybe it could have been fixed, but by then I had used a Trion PS300. Since I started using jigsaws, I have held them below the work when following lines in sheet material. The Trion barrel grip fit my hand and felt natural to me.

Subsequently on a trip to Europe, a Festool GE rep proudly asked me to try an early PS400. He had already set the guides for the blade. My impression was that the Carvex was versatile, but I did not need any of those features.

That is still my feeling. What I might do is purchase a lightly used PS300 Trion from someone buying a new Carvex.

One of the master cabinet makers working for me has pre-ordered a new Carvex from our primary dealer. He has a brabd B jigsaw and he uses it very well. But he also is loyal to Festool and has been allowed to use the Carvex by reps.
 
I just bought a new Trion and think it is great...Actually it was another post where Richard had mentioned it there was not a need for the light, batteries or extra bases why spend the extra money?  That got me thinking.  The blade guide and anti-splinter guard is the same on both models and so the cut is going to be the same or very close.  I needed a saw to cut 90 degrees now and I am very happy with my choice.  It is an exceptional saw.  I also have a new style jigsaw with a light, etc... but it just cannot cut anything thicker than 3/4 inch square, which is very frustrating.  The Trion cut perfectly out of the Systainer with no adjustment.  Now, I could see adding a Carvex at some point, maybe a battery operated one would be a good choice, but I cannot see getting rid of the Trion at this point.  It is also a great price and even better if you pick up one of the Recon models.  For me having the longer warranty was more important that saving a few dollars on the recon so I went with a new one.  Festool has commented that both models are going to remain in the lineup so they see a need, at least in the immediate future, for both models and styles.  Of course I am not Festool and maybe Shane will comment.

Scot
 
I admittedly haven't read all of the responses, but thought I'd chime in real quick. There are no plans to discontinue the Trion. I think the Trion offers extremely precise and perpendicular cuts at a lower price point for those who don't need the additional functionality of the Carvex. The Carvex, to me, represents what our engineers could dream up that would solve virtually every challenge you could imagine facing with a jigsaw. Now, all of those bells and whistles may not be needed by everyone, but they're there. The Trion is still a great jigsaw and even though it's been around for many years now, still leads the pack compared to other jigsaws on the market.
 
...works for me trion 13 years and still great...
...where I need the incision is made more bottom than top...
 
Does the cordless model have a dust extraction port, so it could be used with dust extraction when the added portability is not needed?
 
It might be worth looking at my videos to judge the new Carvex 420...

Part 1:


Part 2:


Cutting thick lumps of wood:


Peter
 
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