Talk about fugly....at least it could be hidden under a table

[steve-u]

This is how a router should look. A work of art and made in the USA. --- Steve

[dwolsten]

Not only does it look like a tool only an X-man could like,

No way, the X-Men have much better taste than that. Check out those cool black leather suits they wear. No weird alien colors there.

but I see they're fudging their specs just like everyone else...

2000 W (120V input: 15 A, 3-1/4 HP)

Unless my math is wrong, 15 A @ 120 V is 1800 watts which is 2.4 HP. Looks like the marketing kiddies got to the spec writers too.

You're missing something: efficiency. The amount of power going in isn't the same as the amount of power coming out. So while 746 W = 1 HP, that's only on the electrical input side. The rated HP is measured on the output side, therefore 3.25HP / 2.4 HP = 135% efficiency.

This is actually quite poor, IMO. My ShopVac has 5 HP at 15A/120V, so that's 207% efficiency!

It's actually pretty impressive, IMO, how most tools these days have over 100% efficiency. I'm not really sure how they do it. I think they use the electrical energy to open a wormhole into a parallel dimension where they draw more energy from, thus boosting the output power without requiring you to use a 240V power source. Obviously, Hitachi's wormhole technology just isn't as good as ShopVac's.

[LarryG]

On the horsepower thing ... yeah, the numbers don't add up; but my P-C 7518 table-mounted router, rated at 3.25HP, is physically about 50% larger than any of my ~2.25HP routers. It can run twice as long as the smaller ones and still be stone cold to the touch whereas the small ones are getting a little warm, so the larger armature and windings have got to count for something. Loring might be able to explain a little about that.

On weird tool styling ... I'm wondering whether this is part of the apparent trend to appeal to a younger generation that places a higher value on flash and style. Not that the younger folks don't care about substance, but they seem to want the "extras" first and foremost. An example is that new Philips flatscreen TV that pulses a surrounding backlight, keyed (I think) to the dominant color on the screen, against the wall on which the TV is hanging. Something like that would drive me NUTS if I was sitting there trying to watch something, but I'll bet they'll sell a million of 'em.

Another example is the paint schemes on the 2007 line of LeMond bicycles. In past years, the paint schemes were fairly traditional-looking. These new ones are pretty clearly aimed at younger riders but to my eye are ... well, let's just say I'm glad I bought one of the older models when I had the chance.

[vaking]

I agree that there is no router out there that is a true 3HP but the fact remains that Hitachi M12V is 15 Amps while Bosch 1617 is 11 Amps. That means Hitachi is almost 1.5 times more powerful and more suitable for table use. It is also twice as heavy and suitable only as a table router (unless you are 400#).
About Hitachi styling - I have seen an article about it which explained that Hitachi wanted and clear brand recognition even at quick glance - like Dewalt's yellow color. They wanted you to see that this new router is Hitachi even if you know nothing about routers. According to the article the strategy was working - people were recognizing the brand and were not turned off by the color mix. If people today are OK wearing military uniform as a fashion statement why would they be offended by this look?
What surprises me more are some design features. Why would you put speed adjustment knob on a handle on a router that people usually don't hold in hands? Many people were removing handles from M12V to save space in a table, removing handle is harder when it has controls on it.
I always wondered why Hitachi includes a good quality edge guide with M12V but doesn't include it with M12VC. M12V is mostly used in a table and edge guide for it is a waiste. M12VC is a handheld workhorse and needs a guide.

[25]

Ah come on Larry, all us youngins aren't that bad. I think the router looks silly, function over form anyday for me.

[just4funsies]

I love my M12V, but that thing pictured above looks ridiculous...

[Jeffrey Schronce]

This is how a router should look. A work of art and made in the USA. --- Steve

I'm with you as I have 3 Bosch Routers in my shop. Rather I should say I have 1 Bosch Router in my shop and 2 are on their way to NJ to be repaired. Stupid non-sealed switch on one (which replacing it will mean they have all been replaced with sealed switchs now). The others issue is the fine dial adjustment rod stripped on the fixed base. This is the new above the table adjustment fixed base model, so hopefully it is not a trend.

[LarryG]

25: Aw, I'm sorry, you're right ... I should've said SOME younger folks. My bad.

Alex: Well, if instant brand recognition is Hitachi's goal, I'd say the campaign is working. I look at all the new Hitachi tools and instantly recognize them as The Last Brand Of Tool I'd Want In My Shop.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

BTW, the Hitachi power hand planer works like a charm. I have no basis for comparison but I can tell you that every door in my house closes very nicely now!

[25]

You could always make a Router Cozy for it. At least then it wouldn't get as much notice, but the wierd looks from friends might get old.

[scorrpio]

This is one of the many reasons I am such a fan of Dewalt tools: their look SCREAMS no-nonsense professional.

[LarryG]

This is one of the many reasons I am such a fan of Dewalt tools: their look SCREAMS no-nonsense professional.

That's true of pretty much all the other pro-line brands, though ... Porter-Cable, especially, with their battleship gray. Some of the Bosch tools have a refined-but-not-overdone look, I suppose, but DeWalt, P-C, Makita, Milwaukee, and even Ridgid all generally look like they're ready to put in an honest day's work.

I think that's what makes these new offerings from Hitachi so visually jarring. I mean, who cares about something as superficial as styling when you're talking about power tools?

[Tom Miller]

Hey guys, just passin' by this thread....


What's with the French whore router?




Regards,
Tom

[just4funsies]

I think it's the "designer model" (for the flamers to use on their home decorating shows)...

[PALefty]

I don't understand Hitachi's need to make most everything look like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toy.

That is what I am always reminded of...