The new series has a scheduled release date of March 2015 and will first be offered in a combo kit containing a hammer/drill driver, impact driver, circ saw, recip saw, and LED flashlight. The tools in the kit will likely also be available bare—though perhaps not immediately.
According to Ridgid these tools are “engineered to provide best-in-class power, performance and runtime.” When a manufacturer says best-in-class it means best in its price range. With a suggested retail price of $499, the kit (R9652) is economical for what it contains. A similar 5-piece 20V MAX kit from DeWalt goes for $599. Makita and Milwaukee don’t offer kits with this particular combination of tools, though I’ve seen the same combination (a 4-tool kit with a circ saw thrown in) of Milwaukee tools at Home Depot for $548.
The Gen5X tools have permanent magnet motors (brushed) and a number of upgraded features. All are equipped with LED lights—the most unusual being that of the hammer drill/driver. Most drills have one or two LEDs that shine up from the base or out from just above the trigger. This one has three LEDs built into the rim of the chuck that project a ring of light when the motor is spinning. The design is said to reduce shadows—and it seems like it should. I can’t say for sure because I haven’t seen these tools in person, but I have seen a promotional video that focuses primarily on the lights of the new Ridgid tools.
In addition to tools and small accessories like wrenches and blades, the kit includes a bag, charger, and two 4.0 Ah batteries. All are backed by a lifetime service agreement.
Selected specs for the tools in the kit are listed below. The kit is scheduled to for release in March 2015 and is expected to sell for $399.
R8611503 Hammer Drill/Driver Torque: 780 inch-pounds
Speed: 0-450; 0-1,600 RPM
Chuck: 1/2-inch
R86035 Impact Driver Torque: 2,000 inch-pounds
Speed: 0-2,750 RPM
Impacts: 0-3,200 IPM
Additional feature: 3 speed settings/levels—for greater control
R8652 Circular Saw Blade: 7 1/4-inch
Speed: 3,700 RPM
R8642 Recip Saw Stroke: 1 1/8-inch
Speed: 0-3,000 SPM
Modes: orbital or straight
R8693 LED Flashlight Runtime: 40 hours with 4.0 Ah battery
