Let me start by saying that I loved my original Ixo. I still have it and use it. The battery has worn down so low and I needed a second one anyway... so I went ahead and ordered two of these for my shop.
The old version came with a charging cradle that held a selection of 10 various bits. The new version comes in a blister package that is a nightmare to open. It doesn't have a cradle. It just has a wall-wart charger that plugs into the bottom of the tool. It also only comes with 5 bits. Bits are not an issue, as they're cheap enough. The charger is inferior in design, however. Same output power and charge time, but just not as classy as the original.
The old Ixo was made in Maylasia. This one was made in China. They kept the price point the same, but eliminated accessories and moved production to a cheaper plant. Typical business in production these days.
That said, the overall build quality appears the same from the outside. I don't know if it will run for 5 years or so as the old one did. I certainly hope so. I will come back and update my review if I have any issues with this newer model. It certainly doesn't feel like some of the cheap crap we've been seeing these days coming from over there.
Performance of these little drivers is pretty incredible. I've used them to drive wood screws a couple of inches, self tappers into aluminum, etc... I make primary use of it as a string winder for guitars nowadays. (heavy usage)
The slow speed of it makes it very torquey and yet easy to control. The battery lasts for a long time from light usage. It will suffer if you use it for heavy driving, though. The Li-Ion battery in my original one went for a couple years before showing substantial degradation in performance.
I opened up my old one and found the battery to be the very typical 18650 Li-Ion battery which is widely used in small tools and remote control cars, etc... These can be ordered online for less than $10 each and soldered into the Ixo if you are competent enough at that stuff. I will be replacing the battery in my original one and continue to use it in the future.
If these new ones start to degrade, I will swap those batteries as necessary. The motor, gears, electronics, switches, etc... all seem to hold up really well.
Compared to the Ryobi Tek4 mini driver, which I have used extensively, this one is far more compact and delivers the same performance. They use the same battery (although the Tek4's modular batteries are sealed in plastic and not replaceable, and likely similar motors. The Ryobi comes with a clutch, but it makes the tool clunky. The Skil delivers with something that you can actually stick in your back pocket and no frills. The Ryobi looks more like a power tool and this one looks more like a toy. I prefer the tiny size and same power, though.
I recommend this tool to everyone. Even with my complaints as stated, buy it.
Bring back the cradle, Skil (Bosch)!!
UPDATE: Swapping batteries in mine with LG Chem Li-Ion 18650 Cylindrical 3.7V 2800mAh has made these things amazing. The stock battery is 1300mah, so the speed and power feels like double with the upgraded battery. It holds a charge a lot longer, too. (these seem to die too quickly)
I've been in the cstr biz for 25 years and bought more tools than I can recount (thousands). I personally own perhaps 10 different drills, and have handled many dozens more of all styles and makes.
I recall a small drill I bought for my mother 25 years ago one of the first small battery operated drills what a joke could barely turn a screw and battery life was a joke quickly ended up in the garbage (before we learned to recycle batteries).
As such, I stayed clear of these small "personal" screw drivers all these years. But knowing battery advances in the meantime, decided to pick this little guy up on a whim price was reasonable and could always return it.
To my surprise, found this little guy perfect for the odd job around the house, where I wouldn't bother getting out a larger, more powerful cousins and instead use an ubiquitous screw driver that is slow, but gets the job done.
Did a bit of painting recently, and found it very handy to dissemble some large furniture (the led light was actually quite handy) and to take off wall switch plates. Drove 3/4" screws into dense wood with a surprisingly torquey motor using low speed. And the battery life is very good on my second charge after being around the house a month.
For what it is, this little screwdriver does its job quite well. 5/5
Yes, less than ideal charger, but hey, for $35 what do you expect? One thing I'd have preferred is a slot to store bits on the driver, or at least supply several reversible bits (flat/phillips combo etc)
Buy SKIL 2354-01 iXO 4-Volt Max Lithium-Ion Palm-Sized Cordless Screwdriver Now
I was looking only for a handy-dandy little tool which could be stuck in a pocket for those "mobile" repair jobs. This little tool is all that and more. Not only it is handy as can be, its battery life is astonishing. Last week I was able to use it as my sole driver to assemble 4 36" kitchen base cabinets (each requiring roughly 65 screw insertions and tightenings. Power lasted to the last and probably could have gone further but I ran out of cabinets.
The only problem I have is the directional switch is positioned right under where it is most comfortable/practical to put an index finger when using the tool. And it's easy to inadvertently push the switch while exerting drive pressure. Takes a while to get use to that, and even then it's not 100%. A redesign should relocate the switch away from the gripping area. But I can live with that little fault given the overall utility.
Read Best Reviews of SKIL 2354-01 iXO 4-Volt Max Lithium-Ion Palm-Sized Cordless Screwdriver Here
I am giving this as a gift as I currently own one and it works great. However, Amazon is not accurate on the description of "what is in the box" as it says "The SKIL 2354-01 iXO includes one iXO SGK cordless screwdriver, one right-angle attachment, a ten piece bit set, one soft case, and one charger." There, in fact, is no right-angle attachment, a 5-piece bit set, and no soft case.
Want SKIL 2354-01 iXO 4-Volt Max Lithium-Ion Palm-Sized Cordless Screwdriver Discount?
I researched all of these, including the B&D. i ended up going with this one, at lowes, and got it for 30 bucks. and picked up a screwdriver set for 6 bucks. great deal, holds a great charge. good construction. i am very happy. i already used it to assemble a piece of workout equipment, and it didnt falter once
Save 46% Off
