I got my 611 today and at this point it looks like there will be a Bosch Colt for sale in the very near future.
I got the Pak which has the motor, fixed base, plunge base and a wrench and that is it. There are no other items that come with it, no screws or guides, no plastic covers. There is also NO big plastic box, it does come with a bag which will take up a lot less room then the plastic boxes do.
First look and it really looks nice, everything looks to be of very good quality and is put together very well.
The fixed base is just a little larger then the Bosch Colt, this is without the bottom plate. The Bosch is 3 5\8" x 3 1\4" and the Dewalt is 4" round. The Dewalt is just a little taller but not by much.
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The motors and very close in size, the Bosch is a very little bit larger in diameter and the Dewalt is just a little taller. The cord on the Bosch is about 18" longer then the Dewalt. The Dewalt has a plastic cover over the switch so no dust will get into it.
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The plunge base is not that big but is does have large handles, I would like to see them turned to the back a little but they are still nice and feel good to use.
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In the fixed base the height adjustment on the Dewalt is great, it just flat kills the Bosch in that area. It takes some getting used to, to adjust the Bosch but with the Dewalt it just turning the ring, very easy.
Taking the motor out of the base is again noting, flip the lever and lift it out. You do not have to turn it, just lift it straight out. The motor lock on the bases are different. The Bosch pulls the hole base together to hold the motor and the Dewalt just has a small square that goes in against the motor.
The plunge base is just like any other plunge base only smaller. It has all the features of the larger bases. The hardware on the base if very good and smooth working. The plunge lever is placed in a good area and is easy to get to with your thumb.
The stop adjusters are as good as any I have seen on any other bases. The stop wheel has 4 fixed stops and 1 adjustable one. The fine adjuster on the rod has a very nice feel to it and is easy to turn.
Plunging the base is smooth and has a good spring in it. It is not to strong but is is strong enough to lift the router back up when you want.
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The Dewalt is a little bit top heavy when using the fixed base, not much but it is more then the Bosch. Changing bit is the same on both, push a button and loosen the nut. The noise lever on the Dewalt is less then the Bosch but not much.
The fixed base plate DOES NOT take PC bushing were the plunge base will. I had to buy a plate for the Bosch to use the bushing on it.
The 2 LEDs are a really nice plus to the Dewalt, but after a little cutting the base was full of chips any way and you could not see what was going on with the cutter that much. Some DC would take care of that I am sure.
All in all I like the Dewalt, it is a very well build and smooth running router. I have found nothing I don't like about it, it will be used a lot for my off the table routing. It cuts just as good as the Bosch and is much easier to adjust the height on and that is a big thing to me.
It looks like Bosch had better get their act together and get a small plunge base router out there or they will be left in the weeds. The Dewalt is a Colt killer the way I see it. Now time will only tell if the Dewalt last for years and years like the Colt has with no problems.
Here is the motor next to my 1617, it does not look that much smaller but it is and it is a lot lighter then the big Bosch.
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