I have owned the Makita DJV182Z jigsaw for over a year. A colleague of mine recently purchased the XVJ02Z jigsaw manufactured by the same brand. Just out of curiosity, I wanted to try his new jigsaw and compare it with mine.
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After putting both these models to the task, I was finally able to settle my doubts about which model is the better of these two i.e. Makita DJV182Z vs XVJ02Z?
Both the Makita DJV182Z and XVJ02Z are quite similar, in terms of motor, speed, bevel angle, and warranty, but the DJV182Z has a dust blower and extraction whereas XVJ02Z has a dust blower only, it is also more affordable than the XVJ02Z.
| Makita DJV182Z | Makita XVJ02Z | |
| Speed | 800 – 3,500 SPM | 800-3,500 SPM |
| Weight | 2.2 pounds | 5.8 lbs. |
| Bevel | 0°- 45° | 0°- 45° |
| Price | $334 | $244 |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
In this article, I am going to give you my opinion of which model I think is the better one. Read on as I give you the information you need about each model individually to help you choose for yourself which model meets your personal requirements
Makita DJV182Z vs XVJ02Z
The Makita DJV182Z and Makita XVJ02Z are cordless jigsaws with brushless motors. There is only one major difference between the two models, which is listed below.
- Dust nozzle
The Makita DJV182Z has an improved aluminum dust extraction joint which allows you to connect this jigsaw to a vacuum outlet.
As a result, I could hook it up with the shop vac for cleaner surroundings. It also has a dust blower to clear the cutting line, improving visibility when the machine is in operation.
On the other hand, the Makita XVJ02Z does not have a dust nozzle. It only has a dust blower, which is available on the DJV182Z as well.
In the next sections, I will be reviewing both these products from Makita individually. I will list the various features that stand out and also highlight their various pros and cons.
Makita DJV182Z Jigsaw Review
The Makita DJV182Z Jigsaw is a great option for those looking for powerful performance on a budget. This was one of the reasons that I preferred this model over other products available in the market.
This 18V power tool has a high torque output thanks to its brushless motor design. It also has a variable 6 – speed control dial that allows users to set the speed between 800 – 3,500 SPM as well as 3 different orbital settings.
As a result, they can cut through a variety of materials including steel, aluminum, and wood. The variable speed trigger also has a lock-on option to help you fix the cutting speed according to your requirements.
The motor is cordless, allowing it to be used in a number of locations without a regular power supply. The product is compatible with the 18V LXT Li-ion battery lineup from Makita.
This allows users to choose batteries between the 1.5 Ah and 5.0 Ah depending on the runtime requirements they have.
When it comes to features, this product has a number of them that enhance the user experience. Dual LED lights in the front help improve the visibility of the workpiece in low light conditions, helping them keep sight of the cutting line. This is also further aided by the dust blower, which pushes dust away effectively
User convenience is a very important aspect of Makita’s products, and this one is no different. It has an aluminum base that helps keep the machine stable while cutting. It also has a bevel feature that turns the blade by 45° to the left or right, helping users make angled cuts.
It also has a blade clamp technology that allows you to switch out blades without needing any tools.
To make sure users can comfortably use this product for longer, it has a soft no load feature to reduce the motor speed automatically when the machine is idle to minimize vibrations.
Speaking of ergonomics, this model has a top handle design that is made of soft-grip rubber padding with dimples.
This prevents the machine from slipping while absorbing vibrations caused by the machine as well. The machine also weighs around 5.8 lbs, making it light and easy to operate for most users.
However, the flip side of this product is its high price, which makes it less appealing for those on a budget. One might also have to spend extra on buying additional batteries especially if they are looking to operate the machine for longer times.
I also faced issues with the soft no-load system, as I had to apply more pressure than I normally would for the machine to detect that I was actually cutting through something.
This not only caused some inconvenience but also negatively affected the accuracy of my cut. I have checked about this model, and it looks like it comes very often in sale to the amazon store.
And there are very few documents of this model online. You should skip this, maybe the company is going to stop making this anymore.
Makita XVJ02Z Jigsaw Review
The Makita XVJ02Z Jigsaw has a lot of similarities with the above-mentioned DJV182Z. It shares a number of specifications with its competitor, making it one of the toughest comparisons I have had to do in recent times.
It too has an 18V brushless motor that is combined with a variable 6-speed control dial and 3 orbital settings. This offers high amounts of output torque while reducing the battery load by upto 50%.
It also provides users with a speed range between 800 – 3500 SPM, making it capable of cutting through wood, aluminum, and other such metals. It too comes with a locking mechanism for the trigger to allow you to hold the variable speed trigger in a fixed position for steady cuts.
The D-shaped top handle is made of soft rubber and is comfortable to grip onto while operating the machine. It also has a sturdy aluminum base that ensures improved accuracy and reduced vibrations, making it ideal for cutting through materials for longer.
The base also allows the blade to bevel 45° to the left or right, allowing users to make angled cuts when required. Weighing 5.8 lbs including the battery, the machine does not require too much to be operated properly.
The 18V LXT Li-ion battery system is compatible with this jigsaw. As a result, users can choose from a variety of batteries from Makita that gives users maximum performance and longer runtimes.
This also allows professionals with a requirement for outdoor work to use the product without needing a regular power outlet.
The product has a tool-less blade switch technology thanks to its blade clamps, allowing users to seamlessly switch between blades in between jobs. It also has dual LED lights to improve the visibility of the cutting line in low light conditions.
This product also comes with a dust blower to help clear the removed material from the cutting line to keep the surroundings clean and ensure improved accuracy.
The XVJ02Z too comes with the soft no load technology that helps users preserve battery life by reducing the motor speed when the machine is idle. It also helps minimize the vibrations felt by the user.
However, like the previous product, this technology seems to have an inherent flaw as I struggled again to cut through softer material quickly.
The blade refused to speed up as it did not detect enough resistance. This confirmed my suspicion that this feature was flawed, and I would be better off without it.
Another drawback was the fact that I needed to purchase and charge extra batteries for longer jobs. Not only did this increase my expenses but also meant that I had to wait for quite a while in case all my batteries were drained.
Conclusion
After my hands-on experience with both these models, I found that they were very similar except for the one main difference I had mentioned above. They had similar features and user experiences, while also sharing similar issues with the soft no-load system.
These products are ideal for those with professional requirements such as cabinet makers and woodworkers.
Their high output and brushless motor technology increase efficiency and improve productivity. However, the cost of these products may be a bit too high for amateurs or those looking for simple applications like DIY projects and household requirements.
After using both the products, I felt that the Makita DJV182Z was the better of the two options.
Though there were no big differences, the dust extraction joint was a really helpful feature that allowed me to keep my surroundings neat, while minimizing the amount of cleaning work I had to do after completing my job. This was enough to convince me that the DJV182Z was better than the Makita XVJ02Z.
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