Makita was really good for years and Milwaulkee and Dewalt took over the market. Isold them for many years. I think I tossed all my old Makita cordless. The Nicad was bad. The NiMiH was better but the competition took over with the Lithium.
Yeh, if I was in this "big" and young, still working, I might have gone otherwise. This stuff here is gonna last me until i'm not able, or gone. I'm also thinking that the 18V batteries will be around awhile if I need another.