Okay, here's where I stand. A couple of the local stores have a 20% off sale on power tools for anything in stock. I took a look at both stores and found a lot of Ryobi, low end Skil, and similar brands. There were a few Porter Cable entry level models as well. What I was looking for was Bosch 1617EVSPK but, no such luck. One store did have the Bosch 1617PK, which with the 20% discount turns out to be about $175 plus tax which seems to be a pretty good deal. The reservations I have about this package are: no "soft start", fixed speed, and minimally it is less powerful (by 0.25HP) which I perceive to be a non-performance issue.
With the lack of "soft start", is this thing going to be hard on the hands and wrists? What does the lack of speed adjustability mean? I assume 2.0HP is more then enough power for a hand held router that may someday in the distant future see a router table.
In my own use, I have found Bosch tools to be very good. The speed adjustment feature seems like a good idea, especially for a beginner, to slow down the whole process until you get the hang of using this new tool. Also, a couple of the router boxes mentioned this would prevent wood burning. Based on past Bosch experience, I am assuming the lack of "soft start", balance, tool weight, vibration, noise, etc. are all well thought out and are issues I should not worry about with this tool purchase.
Anything else I have missed? If you had ~$200 for a router, would you buy or recommend a different kit, model, or brand? FWIW, I did look at the Bosch 1619EVS (~$300) but, it looks like massive overkill in weight, bulk, and capacity (after all do weekend warriors use 3"+ router bits to make their own doors and other big items?).
THANKS!
With the lack of "soft start", is this thing going to be hard on the hands and wrists? What does the lack of speed adjustability mean? I assume 2.0HP is more then enough power for a hand held router that may someday in the distant future see a router table.
In my own use, I have found Bosch tools to be very good. The speed adjustment feature seems like a good idea, especially for a beginner, to slow down the whole process until you get the hang of using this new tool. Also, a couple of the router boxes mentioned this would prevent wood burning. Based on past Bosch experience, I am assuming the lack of "soft start", balance, tool weight, vibration, noise, etc. are all well thought out and are issues I should not worry about with this tool purchase.
Anything else I have missed? If you had ~$200 for a router, would you buy or recommend a different kit, model, or brand? FWIW, I did look at the Bosch 1619EVS (~$300) but, it looks like massive overkill in weight, bulk, and capacity (after all do weekend warriors use 3"+ router bits to make their own doors and other big items?).
THANKS!
I guess "weekend warrior" means different things to different people 
