Bluetooth goodies… Coming soon

Well for those of us that see and know things we can’t talk about…. we can talk about em now ?

The new Bluetooth stuff is coming soon.

Stuart dropped the news on his site:

http://toolguyd.com/dewalt-bluetooth-power-tools-and-modules-2017-expansion/

The details are vague at best but 3 new drills and an impact, add-ons for existing tools and tool tracking tags.

Bluetooth integration on Dewalt tools!!! I love that!!!

Bluetooth TAG I also love that!!

Bluetooth adaptor?? not 100% sure on that?? what could that be for?? what would existing tools use that for?? 

One things for sure, I will have to find buyers for me drill and impact driver so I can upgrade when the Bluetooth ones come out!!

DooDar wrote:

51 minutes ago, DooDar said:

Bluetooth adaptor?? not 100% sure on that?? what could that be for?? what would existing tools use that for?? 

One things for sure, I will have to find buyers for me drill and impact driver so I can upgrade when the Bluetooth ones come out!!

 

Reading Toolguyd’s article it looks like it might be able to communicate to your non-connected tools to give them some connected capabilities. If I am reading it right, that is huge.

again, we only see the tip of an “ice berg”

cheers

midogrumpy wrote:

17 minutes ago, midogrumpy said:

again, we only see the tip of an “ice berg”

 

cheers

“Just the tip mind you but only the tip” #AvE lolololol

but…but…  I just bought the flexvolt drill kit.

Will be nice to see a comparison between one key tools and tool connect tools.

appears as though a Bluetooth 6.0 is in the works. I wonder if the heavy duty drill has more power than the hammerdrill? It looks massive and the metal housing behind the chuck looks like it could withstand an explosion.

Dewalt is going to be like Makita soon with all of the 20v Impact Drivers and Drill models

jkeating3 wrote:

54 minutes ago, jkeating3 said:

Reading Toolguyd’s article it looks like it might be able to communicate to your non-connected tools to give them some connected capabilities. If I am reading it right, that is huge.

for the average person the Bluetooth batteries aren’t very useful in my opinion. I’m not sure how the adapter could affect the tool but I could see it providing extra functionality to the batteries. I hope the battery functionality is expanded upon. I never really saw a need for a Bluetooth battery.

Jronman wrote:

9 minutes ago, Jronman said:

for the average person the Bluetooth batteries aren’t very useful in my opinion. I’m not sure how the adapter could affect the tool but I could see it providing extra functionality to the batteries. I hope the battery functionality is expanded upon. I never really saw a need for a Bluetooth battery.

You could say the same bout the tools. We already see it with OneKey users. Not every one needs to adjust that much, just like not every one needs to track or lockout their batteries. A (hopefully) relatively inexpensive adapter that gives even partial functionality is something I would spend money on for sure. Even though I would only need it in the rarest circumstance.

This adapter also shows they learned from the 18/20 conversion mistake. You don’t have to rebuy all of your 20v max tools to get the connect stuff. /speculation

Jronman wrote:

1 hour ago, Jronman said:

Will be nice to see a comparison between one key tools and tool connect tools.

appears as though a Bluetooth 6.0 is in the works. I wonder if the heavy duty drill has more power than the hammerdrill? It looks massive and the metal housing behind the chuck looks like it could withstand an explosion.

DCF887, DCD791, DCD796 and DCD996 are getting the Bluetooth treatment apparently.

personally not interested but progress is progress. As long as this doesn’t take away from new FlexVolt I don’t care lol

Bremon wrote:

4 minutes ago, Bremon said:

DCF887, DCD791, DCD796 and DCD996 are getting the Bluetooth treatment apparently.

 

personally not interested but progress is progress. As long as this doesn’t take away from new FlexVolt I don’t care lol

If you look closely at the picture the one on the far right is not a hammer drill. More like the Drill only variant of the 996?

DCD991 is the non-hammer premium brushless drill. 

jkeating3 wrote:

41 minutes ago, jkeating3 said:

You could say the same bout the tools. We already see it with OneKey users. Not every one needs to adjust that much, just like not every one needs to track or lockout their batteries. A (hopefully) relatively inexpensive adapter that gives even partial functionality is something I would spend money on for sure. Even though I would only need it in the rarest circumstance.

 

This adapter also shows they learned from the 18/20 conversion mistake. You don’t have to rebuy all of your 20v max tools to get the connect stuff. /speculation

what is the 18/20 mistake?

Jronman wrote:

14 minutes ago, Jronman said:

what is the 18/20 mistake?

Burning people by releasing an adapter years and years after the new range has been out so instead of keeping existing customers in the fold you give them reasons to shop everyone and leave your ecosystem. 

ah I see. At least they got an adapter. Other companies dont really need them though. Not like many people still use v18 or stick pack makitas.

Only thing you hear about v18 these days is people complaining about how awful they were. 

I’m not so sure these are mearlly BT versions of the existing line, note the bases all appear to have push button controls, a very prominent XR on the bodies and to me the impact head looks slightly… Different, bigger?, can’t quite put my finger on it.  Also that’s a BT 6ah battery that the premium drill is perched on.

We’ll see. Cool new housings don’t mean much. The compacts already have enough power to hurt you thanks to no side handle. The DCF887 is pretty new. A 992/997 could be believable if they are trying to leapfrog Makita, Milwaukee, Metabo, etc. I’d definitely be interested in that. 

Bremon wrote:

31 minutes ago, Bremon said:

We’ll see. Cool new housings don’t mean much. The compacts already have enough power to hurt you thanks to no side handle. The DCF887 is pretty new. A 992/997 could be believable if they are trying to leapfrog Makita, Milwaukee, Metabo, etc. I’d definitely be interested in that. 

gen 3 stuff? Would be nice to see a redesigned battery gauge with 4 bars instead of 3 and maybe 4 speed options/presets instead of 3

The new 6.0 and 9.0 have the 3-bar so I doubt we will see 4-bar anytime soon. The 887, 791, 796, 991 and 996 are all so new it’s tough for me to believe the new tool connect units will roid out compared to those. Fingers crossed though lol. 

Bremon wrote:

49 minutes ago, Bremon said:

The new 6.0 and 9.0 have the 3-bar so I doubt we will see 4-bar anytime soon. The 887, 791, 796, 991 and 996 are all so new it’s tough for me to believe the new tool connect units will roid out compared to those. Fingers crossed though lol. 

roid? typo or is it something I should know?

Jronman wrote:

31 minutes ago, Jronman said:

roid? typo or is it something I should know?

steroid    

Unless these drills/impacts/hammer drills are so incredibly superior to the existing line ..I won’t buy in…I love the 887 and 791 ( the 791 is damn amazing,so smooth and powerful,,I have 5) I think they are the best on the market…and the bigger 996 is good for hammering…..unless they make a “Makita like ,,sub compact” but more powerful then the 887 and 791 …I’m all set…I really would never use ” tool connect or red link ” I do not want to spend time configuring a tool….

.          ..I don’t get it,,forget this stuff,just give me NEW TOOLS….DIFFERENT TOOLS…not a remake of existing …I want so many new tools they don’t make yet…make a damn full line of tools already ..and add to the Flexvolt line,…a 60v adapter,,,a compact light 10″ mitre saw ,,a 10″ table saw..more powerful batteries but Lighter…..More POWA……even rigid has a cordless belt sander,router,orbital sander,fan,even a cordless 1 gal compressor ….Cmon Dewalt

“Even ridgid” in some of those instances should say “only ridgid” @Framer joe, the big brands haven’t wowed anyone with a belt sander or router etc. yet. 

Ya Ryobi,which I like ,. But no big brands @Bremon…don’t you want different tools also ?

Of course, but Ridgid is blazing the trail, so they deserve some credit. It’s not like Dewalt is the only brand hurting for cool new stuff which should already be out lol

I want the new tools as well and will avoid the Bluetooth stuff.

I hear ya….just wish companies would list what is coming out each year on their website….and what month it will be available so we can plan accordingly……then list what’s coming for next year…..forget the guessing and big surprises…I think they would make. A lot more money that way…then companies could plan around that schedule…..instead of jumping ship and buying into another brand for a tool they need now and don’t know if their brand will be making it……….ya know

I yawn at this Bluetooth stuff, means nothing to me and I have a hard time understanding the utility…but I do want more details on the Tag. Tracking is about the only useful thing I see out of the whole idea, but given the range of BT I’m not sold on it’s utility to thwart thieves unless it connects to wireless networks as well as a crude micro GPS in which case it’s gold. 

Quite frankly Bluetooth control has some serious potential. If I could get accurate torque control on an impact driver it would be great. When doing a panel swap it would be great to look at the torque settings and set it up quickly and go to town. As of now I do everything by hand since I don’t trust any power tools to be accurate enough. There is no way for me to know if the screw is binding up or if the wire is actually snug on a neutral bar with an impact driver. I won’t take the chance.

I can see why Milwaukee didn’t include any actual specs in their current torque settings. They use current draw to control torque. Obviously it varies wildly as the battery dips in voltage. It’s quite noticeable in practice. It’s not remotely accurate enough to post an actual measurement.

The torque cutoff is nice on the driver. But nothing that other manufacturers don’t do without Bluetooth control and imo is less of an issue with a three speed transmission.

Jronman wrote:

but…but…  I just bought the flexvolt drill kit.

Hugh Jass wrote:

I yawn at this Bluetooth stuff, means nothing to me and I have a hard time understanding the utility…but I do want more details on the Tag. Tracking is about the only useful thing I see out of the whole idea, but given the range of BT I’m not sold on it’s utility to thwart thieves unless it connects to wireless networks as well as a crude micro GPS in which case it’s gold. 

JimboS1ice wrote:

3 minutes ago, JimboS1ice said:

I hear ya, one key has some cool stuff but not for me, I think the best part of one key is the remote crimping and the logging associated with it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Absolutely agree Jimbo. 

If the technology is already in the tool and they’re just giving the user the ability to change the settings I don’t see it as a problem.  I can see the benefits of being able to match the tool with the task at hand.  That being said I’m not going to pay a premium for it, especially when current models are more than capable.

I think that’s what bothers me the most, all this extra crap I’ll have to pay for eventually and 99% of people (and yes I feel that is quite accurate) that will have to buy it will never use it’s functionality. There’s all of what, 5 tasks that tool control has a legitimate use for and even then likely unreliably? 

Does not compute. 

For those not interested in Bluetooth tools, what functionality would need to be added to make Bluetooth tools more appealing? A more accurate torque control is one thing I saw. More specialty modes? Would a small display/readout on the tool that could toggle between showing accurate reading of torque, ipm, rpm, bpm, spm, or any other readouts that user may want to see (whichever ones make sense for each tool) make Bluetooth worth it? Just an idea I had.

A display sounds incredibly fragile. Torque for impacts is it. From my understanding it’s nearly impossible. Rock solid tool tracking is about it for me and I’ve yet to be convinced of its effectiveness in practice. 

Something like what is on the Makita sub compact impact could work for the display. That sorta flexible material Makita uses for the buttons could be used to cover the lights used for the display. Same or similar material is used for DeWALT battery fuel indicators. Could even shrink the tough system display down.

I don’t get it….when we are screwing stainless Trim head screws into cedar exterior trim…a drill with a variable trigger or a 3speed impact works great…..when we screw off a deck with 3″ cortex plug screws I want power and speed to get it done…again dcf887 and dcd791 work great …Dcd791 is faster…….maybe some guys use those gadgets….we definitely don’t have time for that stuff….you gotta get work done…done right…done fast………I’ll say the picture of the new Bluetooth drills look…”pretty” “cool” “sexy” ??!… .             ..but they are going to be beat up quickly on the job…so cool looking goes away fast…….all that’s left is the high price you just paid……………………………I JUST WANT POWA…..and new tools…NOW ! 

Bremon wrote:

A display sounds incredibly fragile. Torque for impacts is it. From my understanding it’s nearly impossible. Rock solid tool tracking is about it for me and I’ve yet to be convinced of its effectiveness in practice. 

Maybe there is something to Bluetooth that I don’t get.
Maybe it is a bigger deal in different job applications.
I know I won’t pay extra for something I won’t use.

Have 3 impacts. One has 3 speeds. We leave it on #2 all the time.
The rest I control with my finger.
That’s a tool that comes out everyday, so I’m pretty used to it.


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JimboS1ice wrote:

1 hour ago, JimboS1ice said:

Doesn’t Bosch make a grinder with an LED read out?


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No clue, certainly possible, but I question the use of it if so. 

Framer joe wrote:

On 2/16/2017 at 6:42 PM, Framer joe said:

I don’t get it….when we are screwing stainless Trim head screws into cedar exterior trim…a drill with a variable trigger or a 3speed impact works great…..when we screw off a deck with 3″ cortex plug screws I want power and speed to get it done…again dcf887 and dcd791 work great …Dcd791 is faster…….maybe some guys use those gadgets….we definitely don’t have time for that stuff….you gotta get work done…done right…done fast………I’ll say the picture of the new Bluetooth drills look…”pretty” “cool” “sexy” ??!… .             ..but they are going to be beat up quickly on the job…so cool looking goes away fast…….all that’s left is the high price you just paid……………………………I JUST WANT POWA…..and new tools…NOW ! 

can’t go wrong with DeWALT brushless tool design. They look very nice.

builditguy wrote:

On 2/16/2017 at 8:26 PM, builditguy said:

Maybe there is something to Bluetooth that I don’t get.
Maybe it is a bigger deal in different job applications.
I know I won’t pay extra for something I won’t use.

Have 3 impacts. One has 3 speeds. We leave it on #2 all the time.
The rest I control with my finger.
That’s a tool that comes out everyday, so I’m pretty used to it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

bluetooth is more for the user who needs consistent results every time. For example, a guy putting in 1000 drywall screws or sheet metal screws in one day is gonna want to press trigger completely down and get ideal results for the particular application they are completing. Bluetooth also allows for more specialty modes because as more come out you will be able to update the tool and have access to those modes.

The guy putting in 1000 drywall screws uses a drywall screwgun. The guy using sheet metal screws uses a versaclutch screwgun. 

JimboS1ice wrote:

On 2/16/2017 at 8:16 PM, JimboS1ice said:

Doesn’t Bosch make a grinder with an LED read out?


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Yes, i remember seeing that post on here quite awhile ago, but nothing came of it…..yet.

I do like having different speeds for my drill to choose from the numbers on the base of the drill. I use it full speed on some applications and like to have it maxed out at a lower speed so i only have to pull the trigger when i’m doing multiple of something. If those speed settings were just part of the drill and didn’t require bluetooth connectivity, that would be great too.

Also with the sawzall, i love having speed control on that too, i have found my carbide tipped diablo blades work much better and last longer when i’m cutting half speed, plus I absolutely love the auto brake. Again, those could be integrated into the tool with buttons you can choose to activate or not, so the real benefit of this bluetooth i hope we’ll see is the tool tracking in case of theft or lost… 

The newer Milwaukee batteries are also of interest, they now have the OneKey logo on the bottom and i’ve inquired into what that means, but only got back a simple “it will allow great capabilities with upcoming updates..” still waiting on what that means…

JimboS1ice wrote:

Doesn’t Bosch make a grinder with an LED read out?


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Don’t get the portable tracking you add to other tools,ladders..etc….is a thief so dumb he doesn’t just rip the little device off ? Bluetooth has a range…free gps service maybe work…provided by the company…service fee  NO….usually the thief is in the trades and knows what he wants to steal,not some random guy…..or the guy you just fired after 2months and knows all the tools you have and where the tags are…..if it’s like LoJack great,with no fee……..we have insurance for theft

..            

I suppose being able to adjust the rpm would be helpful, occasionally.  The other day a kid was helping screw off drywall.  He kept complaining that the screws would strip out of the steel stud.  If we could slow the screwgun down, it might have made it easier on him.  Experience would solve the issue, but he didn’t have that.