RIDGID R2930: NEW router w/HD promo

[oracle]

What do you guys think about this one instead of the Bosch 1617EVSK

RIDGID R2930 Router kit

I've only seen it at certain HDs. Not all of them carry it yet.
Here's a review of it:
http://www.woodworking.com/article.cfm?article=1678

I checked it out in person. It has great fit and finish, sturdy construction, and smooth plunge action. It also has an "above the table" height adjuster. Clear base plate and two LED lights for illumination. COOL.

HD has it for $199 If I get one now I get a $35 gift card (promo).
Anyone have any experience with this router?

[cwsmith]

Only negative I've heard so far is that there is no edge guide available from Ridgid for it. I don't know if an edge guide from another router will fit it though. Also I would really like to know if the base will take the fairly standard PC guides or if an adapter plate needs to be purchased. The Ridgid does seem to be pretty nicely made though, with some very well thought out features.

CWS

[hooked1]

It's long - felt a bit top heavy to me (nm)

I was putzing around with it in the store the motor is long, so it felt top heavy. THe one thing I like about my Dewalt 618 is it's nice and compact, so using the fixed base is short and sweet. Other than that, the Ridgid looked up to their normal high quality.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Why? Bosch is the or close to the standard. It includes tons of things such as INCLUDED router guide (and a Darn nice one at that). I can't pull the link up that you show, but does it include all the things the Bosch does?
I would fear discontinue in future with very limited part and service availiability.

It is currently also cheaper at Amazon.

[ndj]

IMHO I'm with Jeffrey. I own three Bosch (1617, 1618, and the 1619). Bosch is "The Standard." I own many Ridgid tools and still like them. However, you simply cannot beat the quality of the Bosch and they are a better value thru Amazon because to the extras that are typically packaged in their deals, i.e edge guide and above table adjustment tools.

As an aside, from my personal experience, the fact that most BORG employees are clueless when it comes to their tools, why reward that with patronage? If you check out the Ridgid forum you'll see that calls to Ridgid customer service can be an exercise in futility. Whereas, from my experience with Bosch, they know that they're in the Router business and can help when needed.

If you'll permit me one last rant, my BORG on Wednesday had two of the new Ridgid Router Combos in their overhead storage but none on display or with their regular stock. Who knows how long they've been their. When I found the department manager, I brought it to his attention. He had no clue. When I told him the price it should be retailing for, he then said that he now knows why it was placed in the overhead. Why then is there no display to let customers know that they carry it? He said that he just doesn't have time to learn this stuff. We all know that about HD. Thanks for letting me vent on this.

Bottom line - IMHO you will not be disappointed by Bosch.

[cgallery]

You know, it looks very similar in design to DeWalt and PC routers. I wonder if it would fit in the same lift (Rockler/Jessem) that my DeWalt is in? Anyone know?

Thanks,
Phil