Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

The DCD771 is a detuned version of the classic Dewalt 2-speed, 1/2" chuck, VSR drill. Bigger, heavier, slower, less power, lower capacity batteries, slower charger, soft case, no belt or bit holder. Built to a price point of $99 on sale. Great for the once a month DIYer, not an everyday contractor tool. The closest contractor grade version of this drill kit is the DEWALT DCD780C2 20-Volt Max Li-Ion Compact 1.5 Ah Drill/Driver Kit which is $200+ shipped. Potentially double the price if you can find the 771 on sale. I don't own a 780 so the comparison is based on published data, not personal experience. More detailed comparison of DCD771 and DCD780: - Lot longer (8.7" vs. 7.5") - Heavier (3.6 lbs vs 3.4 lbs) - Less powerful (300 UWO vs. 350 UWO) - Slower (0-450/0-1500 RPM vs. 0-600/0-2000 RPM) - Two 1.3Ah vs. 1.5Ah batteries - Slower non-temperature compensating charger (60 mins vs. 30 mins) - Contractor bag instead of a hard plastic case - No belt clip, bit holder or bit, but a place for both - Drill, battery & charger Made in China vs Assembled in USA from International parts BATTERIES & CHARGER: The Li-Ion 20V batteries have multiple cells which can individually drift, the charger can correct for this drift under known conditions: temperature. The 771 charger can only accurately charge the batteries when both the battery and charger are between 65 and 75 F. Whereas the included charger for the 780 has a cold/hot delay to compensate for cold/hot batteries. Charging outside the 65-75 temperature window will shorten the battery life, by how much?, that's the $64K question. For a homeowner, the 65-75 restriction is no big deal, for a contractor time is money. The 771 charger has two keyed holes on 4" centers to hang it on a wall. Cord appears to be 6-foot long. I typically go two days on a charge when I'm using it a lot (drilling holes, driving screws, mixing stain), otherwise weeks. DRILL PERFORMANCE: The 771 arrived 12-2, charged the battery until the charger stopped flashing. Chucked a Torx T-30 bit and it took 50-sec to drive and remove a 5/16 x 4" Lag Screw into a pine log three times, color me impressed. My 30 YO B&D 3/8" 120V VSR drill managed to get the same screw halfway in before it stalled. In fairness to the B&D drill, shifting the 771 to high and it also stalled. It was almost dark and the LED light was almost blinding. Stayed on for a least 10-sec after the switch was released. The bag is spacious, was able to get both drills inside. The drill is very stout, you can tell there is steel inside. The entire back and handle is grippy rubber, the black. This may be a low dollar Dewalt, but it definitely isn't cheap. One of my favorite uses for the 771 is auto repair. Use a 1/4" hex to square socket adapter SE 7503SD 3-Piece Power Extension Bit Set for Drills, set to slow speed/high torque, and watch those bolts fly off. The 771 won't remove lug nuts but not much else will resist.