I have had a DW006 drill since they came out. This is the most powerful cordless drill I have used. I checked out the other 24 volt drills and they don't come close. This thing has the torque of a big corded 1/2 inch drill, but it is also a great hammer drill! The special chuck holds bits solidly, even when drilling in concrete all day. The drill has a special "spindle lock" feature which locks the transmission when you press the button so you can really get the chuck tight. It is heavier than the 18 volt DW997, but for real heavy duty work the weight should not be that big of a deal. The side handle is a great feature and it has a metal clamp, not like the plastic of the other brands. The drill is really rugged, like a big corded drill. There is also a new AC converter attachment that they sell as an accessory.