Argos Challenge Xtreme Hammer Drill 18v Review

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Argos Challenge Xtreme Hammer Drill 18v
2.2 stars
Average rating for this product is: 2.2 out of 5

From 4 ratings and 6 reviews

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simie32's Review of Argos Challenge Xtreme Hammer Drill 18v

7th Jun 2006

Overall Rating

2 stars
  • Value for money
    4 stars
Good Points

Superb value for money. Ideal for home DIY jobs


Bad Points

You get what you pay for.


General Comments

The Challenge and Challenge Xtreme Drills are Argos' own branded items.

The Xtreme cordless hammer drill is an 18v system, complete with 2 batteries and a 1 hour fast charge. Compared to similar specification drills, the current asking price of £40 is amazing value, as comparatively you would expect to pay around £80. It has a keyless chuck for quick use, and an electronic drill brake for safety. It has two gears: high torque low speed and low torque high speed, along with a number of clutch settings for when you are using it as a screwdriver.

The hammer action is good, and as long as the batteries are well charged, it gets through stone quite well.

I found the downside to this drill was it's batteries. I have also found out this is a common problem experienced by others. It makes sense to keep the spare battery charged ready for use, but often it discharges itself over a very short space of time (a few weeks). Needless to say, this is annoying when it comes to using it.

Overall, this is very good value. As long as you regularly check the battery level (sadly it doesn't have a battery level indicator), this budget drill will serve you well, especially for home DIY jobs. If you want more reliability, you will have to double the price you are willing to pay. As the old saying goes "you get what you pay for".

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Members' Comments onsimie32's Review

  • bob not the builder on 2nd Jul 2009

    Why is this drill quoted with a recharge time of 1 hour?
    The instructions in the one I have just bought states....3 to 5 hours recharge !!!!!
    Comments please

  • simie32 Rank: Staff Sergeant on 2nd Jul 2009

    My original review was written back in 2006 so I can only assume the specifications have changed since then. All I can comment on is my drill did charge in 1 hour.

  • bob not the builder on 3rd Jul 2009

    Thanks for your reply Simie