Pros: Lightweight, good power, 2-mode, good case, speed-control dial
Cons: WAY less speed and power in reverse
Notes: If you see this model listed as a 3/4" hammer drill, it's the same drill. 3/4" is the concrete capacity, but the chuck is 1/2". Amazon has this drill double-listed here.
I purchased this drill reconditioned, in a like-new condition, but with 1-yr warranty.
One nice feature is the speed-control dial on the trigger. The trigger is pretty easy to control, speed-wise, but it's nice to have a speed limiter when you want to keep a slower speed for more than just a short time. A drill without one of these would have a rather limited lock-on function.
Two-modes is nice to get a little more control over torque and speed.
Reverse: It's nice that it has a reverse, and you can use it for some projects, but not if you require much reverse power. The speed and power in reverse are severely reduced. In reverse, even in high-torque mode, I can hold the drill from spinning by simply grasping the chuck firmly. The lock-on mode is not available in reverse, which is probably a good thing. Of course, as with most hammer drills, you mustn't hammer in reverse.
If you need a similar hammer drill, but with equal power in reverse, consider the Bosch 1199VSRK, double-listed here, too. It's a pound heavier, but it looks like it has good reviews and specs. It's Swiss made. If I had my purchase to do over again, I might have spent the extra $$ to get it instead. (Search for 1199VSR if you don't need the case.)
Handle: At first I didn't like the handle design, but it's growing on me, and I can see why they made it the way they did. It's a little longer than some handles, and is offset and reversible. It has a plastic collar with notches that fits the drill at 45-degree angles. At first I saw that as a limitation, but it's adjustable enough, and the grooves help you to get a good secure fit without having to wrench it on really tight, whereas a metal handle without the big grooves could slip and chew up the drill casing and/or your workpiece, but this plastic one isn't going anywhere, and it also won't slip out of position while you're loosening it to slide in the depth stop rod.
Rod: hexagonal, plastic, 25cm long, cm/mm markings. The round kind with the bent end might be nicer, since you can position the tip as close as you want to the drill bit, but this should work okay. Being lightweight plastic, it's not likely to slide out of place while loosening the handle to move it, and it won't mar a painted surface like a metal rod might.
Power cord: about 8-ft long (nice length, not too long or too short). 2-prong polarized plug. 18-AWG, well insulated, but supple. I think the contour of the back is supposed to be for wrapping the cord, but if you keep it in the case, you won't use it that way.
Chuck key: Good one, mounted to the cord on an adjustable plastic strap. I'll have to wait to see how convenient and durable that is. The key has a thumb extension, so the strap doesn't have to hug the key like the rubber ones do, so you can turn it easier - that's nice.
Forward/reverse switch: Push-through design. I like that way better than the kind with the little lever above the trigger. Just seems more substantial and less likely to get stuck, as I've seen on the others.
Drill/hammer: The switch feels a little loose/cheap, but it works fine, and it properly disengages the hammer mode, unlike some older hammer drills I've seen that still have some vibration in the drill-only mode.
Case: This is a good professional quality case, not a cheap blow-molded one, but still lightweight. Solid plastic with ribs for reinforcement. Hinges have steel pins. Handle folds down. Latches are plastic, but quality. It can be pad-locked. It has one main roomy compartment for the drill on the right, and a 2.2" wide bin on the right for accessories. You could probably modify the reinforcement ribbings to hold bits, etc., if you're feeling creative. The drill fits the case with the handle (and rod) on it in the position I plan to use it most of the time. You can't put it in w/ a drill bit in the chuck unless it's really short or you modify the case. Case is roughly 17x13x4.
To be picky about truth in advertising, this drill is not 4.9 lbs. Even if you exclude the weight of the handle, chuck key, and power cord, it's still 5.1 lbs. measured on an accurate scale. But it is still the lightest 8+ amp hammer drill I found. Total weight in case with handle and rod: 9.7 lbs.
Drill is made in Ireland. Chuck is German. This is my first Hitachi power tool, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm pretty happy. I just wish it had more reverse power.Get more detail about Hitachi DV20VB2 3/4-Inch Hammer Drill.
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