Smooth, simple and effective

If you prefer your finger on the trigger and some decent grips to get hold of when it comes to routing then Makita routers are for you - to my mind, I want to know the router will stop if its dropped or I lose a grip on it - likewise I'm no fan of trimmers, I want to my hands away from those spinning razors with a couple of handles. The trigger doesn't lock on this router so you have to keep it depressed but for what I use it for its ideal. I have 2 of these - a chamfer bit lives in one and a rounder over in the other - speeds up things enormously. Incredibly good value for money and even though its single speed, and the stats make it sound like its revving too high, it is in fact the ideal speed for small cutters and for chamfering and roundover bits its absolutely perfect. Feels like it will last a decade at least.

Not bad!

Powerful bit of kit with a smooth motor. I routed a rebate in some Corian with a 1/4 inch rebate cutter and it didn't struggle in the slightest. The only downside to this router is the fact that it doesn't have a trigger lock so you have to keep the trigger held down at all times which can be make your fingers ache if using for a long period of time. Apart from that, great!

Solid and simple

A very nice bit of kit. Able to use 1/4 inch and 8mm bits. Well balanced and light enough to do those fiddly little jobs that are impossible with anything bigger. Motor is powerful and smooth. Lack of speed adjustment is not a major issue as you tend only to use smaller bits with a router this size, likewise the 30mm plunge depth. The build quality is superb, it feels solid and as if it should last for a long, long time.