These have been fantastic. There seems to be no memory problems and so far have lasted for many charges. As stated earlier they have a better clip-in system, which is definitely an improve. But to be fair I only had the old XR batteries fall out once. The run time has also improved.
I highly suggest upgrading to the XRPs if you only have the old ones. But when purchasing them just buy the 2 pack. For about $20 to $25 more you get the second battery. DEWALT DC9096 XRP 18-Volt 2.4 Amp Hour NiCd Pod Style Battery
As the cordless tool leader, Dewalt recognized that their first line of 18volt battery pack had faulty clips. With this issue, they improved the design of the clips and boosted the performance of these batteries. Though the sliding battery packs maybe easier to use, it is good to know that Dewalt has not abandoned their design.
This drill is still my favorite in performance in what I do.
My DeWalt drill was dead for a long time and I was limping the batteries along with no results. It is too bad that DeWalt charges so much for new ones. Nonetheless, these XRP batteries have tons more power than the stock ones and seem to last much longer. I was able to get them at a much better price on amazon.com as well.
I'm perplexed by the troubles expressed by a few reviewers who are critical of the service life of Dewalt's 18-volt batteries. I've used many of these batteries, maybe 20 or so, in probably 10-12 different tools, flashlights, etc., over the past dozen years or so, and I've found they store a lot of power for a long period of time, recharge many, many times easily and consistently in any Dewalt charger, and work just as they're supposed to. Some of the older XR's have worn out after several years of use, but what batteries don't eventually wear out?
I don't baby my tools, but I do try to remember not to leave them in the garage over the winter and I try to remember to hit the conditioning button on the recharger every now and then. "Try" is an operative word in that sentence. I also don't do the fast-charging thing. I tend to slap them in and out of tools and chargers like I'm Rambo loading cartridges in a gun and in the course of doing so I occasionally drop them on concrete. (They bounce.) I use them nearly every day. I've never had a DOA, defect or short. They die only of old age, and I have yet to burn out an XRP.
They are more expensive than some, but I believe they provide good value. I rarely buy replacement batteries a la carte. I usually wait for a great price (from Amazon or an eBay seller) on a cordless tool I think I can use and buy it to get the two batteries and charger that come with it. I must have bought 4-5 drill-drivers this way over the years. You can sometimes get the tool for about $20-30 over the cost of the batteries alone. I've been less than thrilled with a few of the Dewalt 18v XRP tools I've bought this way (e.g., circular saw, jig saw, small vacuum) but most have been winners.
To M. Stevens: You say you're giving up on Dewalt's products and buying only Makita's from now on. In my limited experience, saying maker X is better than maker Y is a bogus dichotomy. I'm not talking about Festool versus Black & Decker; I mean tool lines in a comparable price range. You don't buy manufacturers. Unless you're Carl Icahn, you buy tools. In my opinion, for instance, excluding Festool and industrial tool-makers, Bosch makes the best barrel-grip jig saw and the best 6" RO sander, Milwaukee the best circular saw, Porter Cable the best table router, Dewalt the best 2-horse router, Fein the best detail sander, General the best drill press, Jet the best 18" bandsaw and oscillating sander, Powermatic the best 6" jointer and benchtop mortiser, and I could go on and on. These are my opinions, certainly not shared by all, but I think reasonable people do agree that each of these manufacturers makes some good tools and each makes some weaker performers too. Dewalt makes some of the best drill-drivers available, and also some decidedly mediocre ones. Makita makes some excellent small sanders but I don't like their job-site saws at all. Makita's drill-drivers have some exceptional design features that Dewalt and others should emulate, but some models have quality-control problems with the concentricity of their chucks. My point is that the world of tools is not as simple as choosing Dewalt or Makita, and indiscriminating allegiance to any manufacturer will not get you the best mix of quality tools.
Being a non-pro, I used to get the Craftsman 18V tools, but the battery always died after a year or so. And they are expensive to replace. the tools lasted ok. but what use are they if the battery cant hold a charge? The Dewalts outperform in power and battery life. Even though I do small jobs now and then, I want stuff that lasts. These do the job.
This DeWALT battery like all the ones I've had in the past works great. The longer life of the XRP packs are worth the extra cost. I'm very happy with my purchase. Amazon had the best price I could find on the net! - Battery - 18 Volt - Rechargeable Batteries - Dewalt'
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