DeWalt vs Makita for a New Cordless Circular Saw: Which One Has the Edge?

Alright, I'm in the market for a new cordless circular saw. I've narrowed it down to the DeWalt DCS570B and the Makita XSR01Z. Both are 7-1/4" and seem solid. I'm a retired carpenter so I've used both brands over the years. Any of you have real-world experience with these? I'm leaning towards DeWalt for the build quality, but Makita's got a good rep too. What do you think?

I've had my Makita for about 2 years now, and I gotta say, it's been a beast. The battery life is great, and it's got plenty of power for framing. I got it on sale for $199, which was a steal compared to the DeWalt. If you're budget conscious, I'd go Makita. But hey, if you're set on DeWalt, I'm not gonna bash it. Just remember, you're also buying into the battery system.

Just a heads up, check the safety features too. I've seen kickback injuries on jobsites, and it's not fun. Both have electric brakes, but Makita's has a better reputation for stopping quickly. Also, make sure the blade guard is smooth, not sticky. DeWalt had a recall a few years back on a similar model, but they fixed it. I'd say go with whichever feels safer in hand and has the best dust collection, if that matters.

I'm not a carpenter, but I do a lot of renovations and I've used both. For me, the DeWalt feels more comfortable in the hand, especially when you're doing overhead cuts. But the Makita has better balance. Since I work in tight spaces, I prefer the Makita because it's a bit more compact. Also, check the blade visibility - the DeWalt has a better line of sight to the cut, which is important for precision. That might be a deciding factor for you.