Makita DHP458 and DHP481 drills - Anyone used both?

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I know this is a long-shot, however worth a try.
My gearbox for dhp458 is slowly going/acting up and I know the drill won't really last for long, but that's ok as I have used&abused that drill and used it as mixer almost every other day and it has given me a good service for 4years.

I'm slowly looking for replacement and would like to go brushless as my other makita tools are, however there's nothing really new from Makita range , only the DHP481z which is like 3years old and is their top of the line drill currently.

Maybe anyone has used both the dhp458 and dhp481 and can compare them?

-is it a serious improvement over the 458 with it being brushless and the power output being bumped up from 88 to 115nm, or it's more or less the same stuff just a tiny bit better? what other differences , pros&cons there are?

Thinking whatever to get the dhp481 or try to stretch out my dying 458 a little bit more in hopes makita releases something new very soon. Not really looking for suggestions for other drills/makes&models as I know what's out there -just wanted a comparison between the 2.
 
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I've used both and have a 481 currently as my 'beefy' go to drill if you like. It's solid. I've seen various comparisons between other brands on the net and various tool pages, as in terms of power there's nothing that beats it. Only Hilti come really close at double/triple the price.

I had a 458 that I bought off a guy I was working with. He had it as part of a kit and didn't need it. Gave him £20 for it new which was a bargain. It was on eBay by the end of the week. Plenty of power behind it but compared to the 481 drained batteries like no tomorrow.

Weight were about the same in both. Only other difference is price.

I've also used the newer 484 which is comparable to the 481. Plenty of power behind it, light weight, brushless. However build quality isn't really on the same page. Plastic chuck and I wouldn't say it's going to be a drill I'd use a lot for masonry work.
 

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I'll add, I also have a DDF483 which I carry daily. I use it mainly as a pilot drill or when I'm riveting. It's light, fast, fairly powerful, it'll drive a 1" self feed auger bit through softwood quite easily on speed one anyway. They do make a hammer version but I've no experience with it. If youre after something cheap, brushless, extremely light and powerful as well as compact this is a good option. The only drill I have smaller than this is the CXT Brushless which is basically the same drill only a little smaller and less powerful. Pictured left DDF483, right DHP481.
 

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I'll add, I also have a DDF483 which I carry daily. I use it mainly as a pilot drill or when I'm riveting. It's light, fast, fairly powerful, it'll drive a 1" self feed auger bit through softwood quite easily on speed one anyway. They do make a hammer version but I've no experience with it. If youre after something cheap, brushless, extremely light and powerful as well as compact this is a good option. The only drill I have smaller than this is the CXT Brushless which is basically the same drill only a little smaller and less powerful. Pictured left DDF483, right DHP481.

Yup the 458 drains batteries rather fast, Don't think I can even mix 3batches of plaster when 4ah battery is already drained, but other than that I have had no complains.
well, I just ordered used 481 from ebay for under £50 , lets see how good it is :) If will be decent will probably re-sell it for higher price and buy a new unit with warranty.
I watched a video where they compared the latest brushless drills from all makes ,and sadly the makita wasn't really on top...-but than again it was the oldest model from them all .. still I'm heavily invested in their platform so have to stick to what makita offers.
 
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Yup the 458 drains batteries rather fast, Don't think I can even mix 3batches of plaster when 4ah battery is already drained, but other than that I have had no complains.
well, I just ordered used 481 from ebay for under £50 , lets see how good it is :) If will be decent will probably re-sell it for higher price and buy a new unit with warranty.
I watched a video where they compared the latest brushless drills from all makes ,and sadly the makita wasn't really on top...-but than again it was the oldest model from them all .. still I'm heavily invested in their platform so have to stick to what makita offers.

Got a link to the video?
 

Obviously it still seems excellent stuff, however makita usually wipes floor with other brands...

How that hilti got a score of 37 I'll never know. Especially the comfort factor. Hilti drills are vile to use all day long.
 
Strange how they knock points off the dewalt for having a tall battery when they already said it doesn't come with that battery in OZ, mine came with the 5ah and is plenty and I will agree it's a beast of a drill, when the drill snags it wants to snap your arms off, too much torque for its own good
 
Strange how they knock points off the dewalt for having a tall battery when they already said it doesn't come with that battery in OZ, mine came with the 5ah and is plenty and I will agree it's a beast of a drill, when the drill snags it wants to snap your arms off, too much torque for its own good

They do a smaller 6ah battery now anyway using the new 20700 cells so why they had to get a FV battery I'm not sure.
 

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Didn't know you could orgasm over bearings, chucks and solder, still sees the battery as the weak point though, seems to be a Makita trait
 
Didn't know you could orgasm over bearings, chucks and solder, still sees the battery as the weak point though, seems to be a Makita trait

A lot of people see makita batteries as a weak point but I've personally not seen it. I've got a few lithium batteries that are approaching 10 years old and still work fine. I think it boils down to the amount of care you take with any tools. I think my Milwaukee batteries are a bit cheaper in comparison but seemingly don't run as long. Depends what you're doing of course.
 
Didn't know you could orgasm over bearings, chucks and solder, still sees the battery as the weak point though, seems to be a Makita trait
I didn't interpret it that way. He was making the point that the cells used by Makita are very high quality and designed for long life.
 

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