A
Anonymous
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Hmmm... interesting thread this one!
Neil, the last time I did a group test of drills (12volt incidently!) I tested them using 'real world' methods, drilling 20mm diameter holes in 19mm MDF and also drilling 7mm holes in masonry(these were combi's)
Interestingly, the best of the bunch was a Ryobi CPD-1200. The figures were pretty impressive over the rival machines.
Nowadays Ryobi have looked lower down the ladder on certain products, so whether the batteries used in them are of the same quality to supply similar results I'm not so sure.
As for the inclusion of a higher rated drill, yes you are right, I wouldn't have included it as it doesn't give the reader a fair indication in a 'like for like' comparative test.
I suppose if the test was conducted using a similar test as I used, then at least you would know if the Metabo didn't drill as many as a 14.4 volt one, you would have an idea of which to choose. On the other hand, if it stormed it, it only adds to the confusion. i.e, do I buy a 15.6 Metabo, or the 14.4 next best thing?
For people like Trev, this is where a group test should provide defining answers, so should be of a criteria they all meet. In this case, 14.4 volts, as indicated on the cover of the magazine.
As for the Panasonic, I tested this back in issue 137 and I think it is about the best drill out there at the moment. The 15.6volt batteries are 3.5Ah, so if you want extended run time, these are the boys to have. The compact size is excellent for good balance and control so it's good for getting into tighter spots than some on the market.
If I have a critisism, the plastic sleeving on the chuck isn't as robust as the all metal ones used on the Milwaukee/Atlas Copco drills. Even so, it is still a top quality piece of gear.
Andy
Neil, the last time I did a group test of drills (12volt incidently!) I tested them using 'real world' methods, drilling 20mm diameter holes in 19mm MDF and also drilling 7mm holes in masonry(these were combi's)
Interestingly, the best of the bunch was a Ryobi CPD-1200. The figures were pretty impressive over the rival machines.
Nowadays Ryobi have looked lower down the ladder on certain products, so whether the batteries used in them are of the same quality to supply similar results I'm not so sure.
As for the inclusion of a higher rated drill, yes you are right, I wouldn't have included it as it doesn't give the reader a fair indication in a 'like for like' comparative test.
I suppose if the test was conducted using a similar test as I used, then at least you would know if the Metabo didn't drill as many as a 14.4 volt one, you would have an idea of which to choose. On the other hand, if it stormed it, it only adds to the confusion. i.e, do I buy a 15.6 Metabo, or the 14.4 next best thing?
For people like Trev, this is where a group test should provide defining answers, so should be of a criteria they all meet. In this case, 14.4 volts, as indicated on the cover of the magazine.
As for the Panasonic, I tested this back in issue 137 and I think it is about the best drill out there at the moment. The 15.6volt batteries are 3.5Ah, so if you want extended run time, these are the boys to have. The compact size is excellent for good balance and control so it's good for getting into tighter spots than some on the market.
If I have a critisism, the plastic sleeving on the chuck isn't as robust as the all metal ones used on the Milwaukee/Atlas Copco drills. Even so, it is still a top quality piece of gear.
Andy
