A big omission from this video is that iFixit actually makes two driver handles. The one in the video is iFixit's cheaper handle with a plastic construction and a removable endcap for bit storage. The plastic handle is included in the Morray and Minnow Driver Kits and is bundled with some of their repair part kits. iFixit also makes an aluminum handle driver, which includes an endcap bearing but does not have bit storage. This driver is included with the Mako Driver Kit and Pro Tech Toolkit, and can also be purchased individually. The aluminum handle iFixit driver is probably a better comparison to the LTT driver from what I've seen of both.
they used to include the metal driver in their standard 64 bit kit. It makes me sad that they switched to the cheaper driver in that kit now which I see as a reason to buy the LTT if I didnt already have the ifixit kit. If I was still repairing laptops all the time the way I used to I would prefer to have the more robust metal driver then the plastic one ifixit uses now. (also the ifixit bearing would frequently fall off, saw it a lot in the pc repair shop I worked in)
@@blacktrooper100 The 64 bit kit (the Mako kit) still includes the aluminum driver according to their store page. Only the smaller kits include the plastic driver, which has stayed the same since their introduction.
Yes! I was going to mention that Feel like that would be a better comparison as they are a more similar build. I’ve got the ifixt driver and love it. It doesn’t have the bit storage or the infinity spin but it’s a really nice driver
As I said just a couple minutes ago I didn't even know that the cheaper handle came with bit storage. I've never just carried around the driver without the kit, so I'm not sure how much bit storage in the handle would be useful for the kind of work I do.
I agree, the top spinning will help by applying pressure to the top of the driver with your index finger or palm. I would think the spinner with the more precise bearings would be best.
For some reason I feel like the fidget spinner segment was way too long than it should be. Probably because I don't really care about fidget spinner. Good thing I can skip things like that 🤷
None of my iFixit precision screwdrivers have bit-storage in the driver; they all just have a fidget spinner built-in. I guess the bit-storage is a relatively new feature from iFixit?
The Minnow and Moray kits use the polymer handle shown in this video -- the cap comes off of this driver, and it still swivels/spins. The Mako and Manta kits include the aluminum handle -- which has the "fidget spinner" in the top (which I use to apply pressure and steady the driver while I spin it). So not a new feature, just different drivers. The Pro Tech kit includes a Mako set, so that's another way to get the aluminum driver.
I have a note on that actually. My ifixit driver has the fidget spinner on it and the bearing went bad within like a month. I would like to see a long term test on these as if the one on the ltt driver lasts longer I will definitely pick it up.
So the real comparison would be LTT: Aluminium with bit storage higher quality? bearing longer thin part of the bits that could be useful in some cases. 60 bits hinge on lid magnets in lid (not sure I understood that)? 49 dollars iFixit: Plastic with bit storage 32 bits 19 dollars iFixit: aluminium without bit storage. 64 bits 39 dollars I think you will be happy with all but you do get things you are not getting with the iFixit version in the LTT version. If it is worth 10 dollars that is up to everyone's usecase. 10 dollars is nothing if you need to reach a screw that you can not reach without the longer thin part of the bits if not it is a pointless feature.
I have got a number of iFixit kits and LTT precision kits. The LTT precision driver really holds onto screws a lot better because of the magnets and has become my favourite for working on equipment. Also being able to hold extra bits makes it really handy to grab for a quick job and not have to worry about carrying a full kit. The iFixit plastic drivers don’t feel solid, the aluminium ones feel absolutely excellent but they both have the same major flaw. The magnets are way too weak and amount of screws that I’ve dropped in annoying place’s while trying to repair equipment is maddening. Having to take a server off the a rack and shake it to get a screw that fell in is not fun. For kits, size wise the iFix Minnow is the perfect size for fitting in my laptop bag. Had do add extra bits to make it useful for Pc repair. The Manta is in my tool bag for when I do maintenance as it has almost everything. The LTT bit set is somewhere in the middle. If iFixit end up reading these comments, please put stronger magnets in your drivers.
Re: Xubuntu - I like it on older laptops but my favorite low-spec option in the Ubuntu family is Ubuntu MATE, thanks to a fantastic MATE Tweak implementation that lets you customize the layout easily, and a best-in-class welcome screen which walks you through everything you might need if you're new to the ecosystem. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to weld a fidget spinner on my iFixit driver.
Ah! I think someone had mentioned that, but I couldn't remember it. I will definitely have to check it out. I haven't done much distro hopping, probably time to spend some time doing that. Thanks!
@@JeffGeerling The only difference really worth noting is that Xubuntu uses the XFCE Desktop Environment with XFCE apps, while Ubuntu MATE uses it's own DE, a fork of GNOME 2 but with GNOME 2 and GNOME 40-series applications, plus the new Ubuntu ones, I think. There is also Lubuntu, which uses the QT-based LXDE, which is a low-power competitor to KDE Plasma.
Just echoing what others are saying, but the precision iFixit driver that I have is metal with a spinning cap, but has no bit storage. It sounds like the one with bit storage has the storage advantage, but then the cap doesn't spin? I wouldn't want a precision driver if the cap didn't spin, this makes screwing things in much more seamless. You can lodge the cap into your palm, and twist the drivers with your fingers to get way more extra pressure. To me it sounds like the LTT driver perfected the formula by giving you both a spinning cap, and bit storage. I also believe that most people would prefer that the bit storage doesn't detach.
I'd decided not to buy the LTT precision driver, partly because I don't have a lot of spare cash. But I'd also decided that my iFixit set was probably just as good anyway. Nice to have confirmation.
Something you missed, there are 2 different ifixit precision drivers. You have the plastic version with bit storage in the end. The more equivalent driver to LTTs is aluminum and does not have the built-in bit storage
There's no point in getting mad over a precision screwdriver. I'm sure both are good quality and there are better reasons to buy the iFixIT version. unless you want tosupport LTT, but I'm sure many who get the LTT version also have an iFIXIT on.
Plus, it's not like iFixit invented precision screwdrivers. There have been similar kits available for decades. In fact, the iFixit one I have is probably 10+ years old now and is really just a generic kit with their name and label on it. The new ones appear to be custom made for them, but that's recent.
It's a tool, and both options are fine-certainly better than the cheapest drivers on the market. I don't judge anyone for their tool selection... after all there's a market for Snap-On and the like. It's not for me, but for those who like it or need the support, it's there.
Yeaaah Jeff I think you got this one wrong man, I say this as someone very much *not* tempted to by an ltt precision driver as I am happy with my mako (and have also used the plastic ifixit driver): If you want a metal constructed precision screwdriver, that has fast and easy to use bit storage the ltt one does offer something new. I do not enjoy the plastic ifixit driver, it doesn’t inspire confidence and the plastic spinner at the top is just not good to use. The mako doesn’t have bit storage, and while that’s okay for me, I understand the market niche the ltt one is satisfying with this product. I don’t think ltt has “ripped off” ifixit here, they may look similar in design language but it does offer something new with integrating the excellent bit storage used in the ltt big driver and its not really trying to undercut ifixit, it’s for the people who really want “the best” driver. It feels like the same design philosophy as the original driver: it’s as good as you can get, but at cost that is worth it to enthusiasts who really value the experience
That is indeed the actual function of the top part of this precision driver, however, during development, Linus and team found that there’s rotated for quite a long period of time hence a great fidget spinner, and they have since been promoting it in their various podcast and live streams as such. An inside joke if you will.
Personally I think the magnetic and segmented screw/parts holder in the LTT setup is probably worth the extra cost on its own - at least for the sort of jobs a 'precision' screwdriver gets used for - nothing worse than taking something apart with wildly different screw lengths in unpredictable positions so it really matters which one goes where to then bump the tray holding 'em. And as its detachable with a decent and durable looking hinge you get the benefits of being able to spread it out to suit your space and unlike cheaper set knowing the case should last too. I don't have and probably won't buy either, I already have plenty of small bits and drivers for them, but if I'm ever needing to buy a new one it would be the LTT over the IFixit just for the case, even if the quality of the LTT one wasn't seemingly better too. Sure I can print my own perfect case etc - but that also costs money and time, only so many projects to make your tools better you want to do instead of the project you actually wanted...
I own the Mako kit already and also won’t be buying the LTT version. But the stronger magnet ALONE is worth $10 for me. Not losing screws off the end nearly as much saves me so much frustration and time searching the carpet. The magnet on my large LTT screw driver is twice as strong and if the LTT precision driver magnet is similar, well worth it. The better parts tray top is a nice bonus too.
I've been heavily using 4mm bit drivers for over 15 years, and I had zero need for one with built in bit storage. I can say that because I own 4 different ones with integrated bit storage. I much prefer the ones with compact storage cases that aren't clamshells held shut with magnets. For the driver, it means less weight, less complexity, better cost, 50 bits in a secure case that fits in my shirt pocket, and I don't need to think about where 3 of my bits went when I'm cleaning up a workspace. And "fidget spinner" tops were cool a few years ago, when companies were trying to show off that their product doesn't have a solid bushing in the end cap. I usually inject grease in them or machine a bushing to replace the bearing to make it less goofy and spinny.
WTF! It's not a fidget spinner. Having a rotating top on small screwdrivers genuinely helps in my opinion. When the recess in a screw that you're turning can be less than a millimetre in depth, moving your hand on the screwdriver can cause the driver to jump out. Being able to easily apply pressure on the end of the screwdriver to keep it in whilst turning prevents this. It isn't a spinner. It is useful although not the first screwdriver to have a rotating end.
Even the plastic precision screwdrivers you get out Christmas crackers have a cap that spins for the reasons you gave. But it specifically promoted as a fidget spinner, for fun. From the LTT site "Functional and fun end cap A ceramic and steel hybrid bearing in the end cap delivers a smooth screwing experience. We also snuck in some fun - it doubles as a satisfying fidget toy that seems to spin forever!"
iFixit's higher-end driver (metal, no bit storage) has a spinning top too, albeit with a bearing that seems far more designed to "spin for screwdriver work" than "spin as a fidget toy". The friction's high enough that it doesn't really free-spin at all, but it's still easy to spin manually.
Linus does market it as a fidget spinner while knowing its actual purpose. They didn’t set out to do it that way but discovered during development that its a great spinner. I will say while other precision drivers that I have do rotate for the intended purpose, none of them spin the crazy length of time like the LTT one does; hence the promotion of it being a fidget spinner :-)
i'm glad that you took the time to test the VERY IMPORTANT rpm of the spinner, and the actual time, but i can't forgive you that you didn't do the DROP test, because i think that would be the real difference of the two screwdrivers
Heh, pretty much! I was considering what kind of tests I could do that would demonstrate any substantial difference between these drivers. After using the LTT for a few weeks, honestly the fidget spinner is the only thing that feels different. The driver's a tiny bit heavier, the case has a hinge (which in my use, could be a hindrance sometimes, or a help other times, so it's a wash). So I tried to think of a couple things I could test out with the fidget spinner to see if it might make a difference outside just being a novelty. (Plot twist: it doesn't!).
If you don’t happen to watch LTT, that tongue in cheek joke is how they market it in some of their live streams in Podcasts. Everyone knows it’s actual purpose, but they lean into the fun because it’s well fun.
It's not "really" a fidget spinner. They designed the endcap so that you can use it for that, but the reason why there's a bearing in the endcap is so that you can put a lot of pressure on the back of the screwdriver while still allowing it to spin *relatively* freely, as opposed to having to overcome the friction of your palm in addition to the friction of whatever stuck screw you're trying to get out. The ifixit aluminium driver also has a bearing in it for this exact purpose. The old version of the ifixit aluminium driver even had an extension shaft that you could put into a horizontal hole at the back of the shaft to use as a lever for additional force. I'm sad that went away, that was also a fantastic feature.
It's always good to have competition, and for a long time iFixit really didn't have any GOOD competition. Linus has never been shy about how much time and money they put into their screwdriver development to make a high quality tool. I've got the Pro kit from iFixit and I got an LTT driver and they feel very different to me in my hands. I like both for different reasons, but I bought an LTT driver quickly because I want to encourage them to keep making them and the competition will benefit all of us consumers.
I wanted the LTT driver the instant that I saw you open the handle with the extra bits, several videos ago. My multi bit precision driver set lives at my maker station, but I do a lot of work on a coffee table while sitting in the recliner in my living room (yeah, I'm a retired old fart, who watches YT while working). So, it is a hassle to get up, just to get another bit in the other room or carry the entire set around that takes up real estate on the coffee table. 90% of the time, I'm only using 3-4 bits and don't want them floating around to get lost. So the LTT is the perfect solution. It's great that the driver is sold separately @$30 and is compatible with my existing bit set, which have an under-formed #2 Phillips bits without sharp points that are useless. The detachable lid and magnetic case is a great feature, as well. My cheap case has a plastic latch that's about to break. "You only get what you pay for." I prefer to pay the price for quality. The trade off between price and convenience is a no brainer in the long term. Waiting 3 more days is insignificant to a retired hermit. That's my 2 cents. JS Enjoyed your in depth irrelevant comparative product testing, while maintaining a straight face. 😂
Additional function of the plastic iFixit top is a reset pin/phone card ejector. The longer slim section on the LTT bits is easier to get into deepset small screws .
It seems that the Precision driver in my 'Pro Tech Toolkit' from iFixit does not support bit storage, and, if I’m not mistaken, the driver in the more affordable 'Moray' kit is plastic. According to iFixit’s website, the Moray kit includes a '4 mm Precision Bit Driver with Integrated SIM Eject Tool,' while the Mako kit features a '4 mm Aluminum Bit Driver.' While there is a price premium between the iFixit offerings and the LTT offerings, I feel the review may be somewhat overstated. Perhaps I missed the humor intended, but it struck me as a bit off. Wiens also really seemed to try and dodge the shots from X.
I admire your seemingly genuine opinions on our "tech-troversies" we all love to make up in this market segment. I feel like even though I don't watch every one of your videos, I'm able to completely admire your style of journalism as being absolutely objective, while ceding to the demands of us viewers craving a storyline. It's so damn on point. Thanks Jeff!
Jeff going 300% on the figit spinner had me wheezing. Absolutely 10/10 content, never thought I'd see you "benchmark" that particular part. We need to get GN Steve into this to develop an entire methodology and chart this thing fromt to back! XD
in case anyone doesn't know, the purpose of the spinning cap on top is for your palm to rest on so you can turn the screwdriver without turning your wrist, which means you slip less when turning
Worth noting, the Klein being longer will fit in other areas that the smaller ones wont. I specifically used one to fix a projector that had smaller screws that were buried in the molded holes. The ifixit extension in the Mako and a standard craftsman were too thick.
The bigger kit’s precision bit driver is fully metal like ltt’s, and it’s similarly priced ($40), I think this is a better comparison than the plastic one.
The point of the "fidget spinner" is not fidget spinning, it's to allow you to put pressure on the screw and driver by pushing down from the top, and allow you to rotate the screwdriver and screw without having to rotate the top.
I think the point of the "fidget spinner" is to make palm driving easier, the smooth bearing helps it hold in your palm while the driver is allowed to turn. Either way, you arent wrong, we all have mulitple different drivers for different use cases.
Jeff is too nice for this world. Thanks for the comparison of all these side by side. I have the LTT regular and stubby models down in my room where I'm constantly tearing apart and modifying systems for myself or friends/family. I wish LTT would have made a product that's better for working on full-size ATX systems than a precision, but slimmer than the current driver. I also have the iFixit kit and I feel like it's not beefy enough for my irish bearpaws or something. LTT on the other hand just a little too chonk - would give up the ratchet for a slimmer variant for sure.
I bought a couple of the normal-sized LTT screwdrivers because they were legitimately good. This precision screwdriver isn't really an upgrade over my already excessive amount of iFixit kits, so I'll be passing this one up in all likelihood. Unless I managed to break anything out of the iFixit kit, in which case I might replace it with the LTT, but I fixed it has newer kits that are also probably worthy upgrades.
Honestly, super glad to see this video even if it half of it is basically a meme. When I saw the precision set, I (like many others) immediately said “… that’s just the ifixit kit but with some tiny changes.” Honestly, I wish it had been an ifixit colab instead of their own product, because right now I just don’t see it as really being worth it. It doesn’t really feel like that much of an innovation. This isn’t to say I think they ripped off ifixit in bad faith or something, but it definitely just doesn’t feel like the put the same level of love into it as their full sized screwdriver To be fair though, ifixit is now basically the gold standard for consumer/prosumer level repair kids, so, it makes sense it would be hard to really beat them out. But hey, at the end of the day, at least it’s still a quality product. It’s not like some other content creators slapping their name on cheap, mass manufactured crap and selling it for a huge mark up.
Yeah I have no gripe with LTT/LMG here. They're not selling cryptoscams, or candy. They're offering a legitimate, good tool, with some improvements over what's come before. I think their pricing is tough, but I know plenty of people would be happy paying it to support LMG, or to have the novelty of a fidget spinner built into their driver!
I feel like I am going mad, ifixit didn't invent multibit small screw drivers. Linus didn't invent the fidget spinner multi bit driver either. There have been tons of Chinese multi-tool drivers on sale for years and years.
Yep - for example, Wiha had a really good and cheap set they branded for Xiaomi. I have that one permanently installed in my work bag. Or more recently, the Wiha zai Hause precision screw driver kit is an excellent option. In both cases, you know that you'll get good quality bits produced by someone with a name in the game.
Jeff, did you notice the iFixit Mako and Moray have different screwdrivers? The Mako driver can be bought as a spare part. It's also a metal driver, but the Mako cap turns freely while the Moray cap does not. I'd say the LTT driver improves on the Mako driver, but I haven't used it. What I suspect makes the LTT precision driver better than iFixit's for me (y'know, if I had one) is that it'll work with some double-ended 4mm bits that don't work in every 4mm driver, and of course the stronger magnet. Notably iFixit has a 1/4" driver kit that's supposed to rival the Mako. It does not, the magnet is weak enough it might as well not be there.
I know part of this comparison is meant to be memey but I do wish you spent more time on a 1:1 comparison with what comes with the 64 bit kit. I would never "upgrade" to this from my iFixit kit but if I didn't have one, I'd consider the LTT set. I miss not having bit storage on my driver and I really like LTT's case being a magnetic parts tray. I also think the bits have pros and cons but I appreciate the extra length and while iFixit's magnet is adequate, I'd appreciate a stronger one. But this one's on Linus for spending so much time talking about the fidget spinner bit.
I got a relatively cheap Xiaomi set that has been my main set for a wild. I'd like to get something with more bits (and thinner/longer bit options), but I'm still not blown away by the offerings. I know iFixit is the standard, but the foam packaging is an odd choice to me. Xiaomi holds their bits in with magnets and it works pretty well. I like the detachable hinged case on the LTT one but iFixit is already a pain to ship to New Zealand (easier/cheaper to buy their tools from Amazon, I believe), so LTT definitely is going to be expensive coming halfway across the world, and from Canada no less. Just seems like whichever is cheaper for the buyer is going to be the better one, and if you need options, iFixit has that all-in-one kit that has just about every bit you could ever want.
And yet again the $20 117 in 1 set I got from amazon 5 years ago wins. It doesn't have a magnetic case, but the screwdriver is honestly just as nice as the ifixit from my experience, has every bit I've ever needed, is magnetic and even has the flex bit and some half way okay pry tools. The ifixit is nice, but I'll grab either or when working on something and don't have a complaint either way.
The way you're holding it the fidget spinner doesn't make a massive difference but it you rest your hand on the back end of the driver then the fidget spinner is really useful for screwing (or especially unscrewing) with only 1 hand so you can hold something steady or hold a light or whatever with the other hand. Or just apply more pressure to get a better grip of a stubborn screw.
I have or have had three iFixit kits -- the Mako driver kit (which got taken from me at the airport for some reason), the larger Manta kit I bought to replace it, and the "Essential Electronics Kit" I carry in my photo bag, which has the plastic iFixit driver Jeff was showing off here. I've never had a project where I carry that driver around instead of the whole kit, so I'm not sure that having the bits in the handle is that useful. That said, based on the various bits of drama I've seen over the years I'd be a bit dubious about warranties from LTT. With iFixit, I've contacted them twice about issues I ran into -- I cracked the case on the Manta kit coming back from the UK and the back of my Manta driver came off about a week ago. I contacted them about it, asking if I could buy a new case piece or how to repair the driver, respectively, and they sent me what I needed -- in the case of the Manta kit a whole new driver -- free of charge. If nothing else that would cause me to stick with iFixit.
Idk man, I'm part of the neither club. I have a $10 precision screwdriver set (a brand with similar generic parts is KIPRUN's 115 in 1 set) from Aliexpress. Comes with magnetic bits, extendable head. Took apart PCs and Macbooks, did various 3D printed projects with it, even fixed up my bicycle with it. If its not motorised, its not a significant enough upgrade to warrant me spending any more than $20 other than a hype train. Its the same reason why I don't really get iFixit kits. As long as the clones don't rust, its good enough.
I have both those Kliens and they're great. I especially like the little one for edc. I bought the bigger one for edc but it's too long. That being said, I'm gonna pick up the LTT driver. I also have a few iFixit bits and a driver that came with a kit. What someone needs to make is a case that holds two drivers and has a space for extra bits. There are plenty of times when having two drivers with different bits is super handy. And having them be already different colors is a benefit.
My favorite micro-bit driver set is ... just like the one Jeff inherited from Uncle Mark. What Jeff got wrong with it is that you should always use the shaft extender, even if it's all the way in. That way the bits can be quick changed and won't slip into the shaft.
The only serious comparison to make is the material of the bits. Whichever one is more prone to stripping and wear. You could test it by forcibly over torqueing and stripping a screw with a bit and see the wear comparison
19:34 It really all comes down to bit selection. You can get sets with 140+ different bits for about $20 which can be helpful for dealing with the intentionally bad design choices of Apple. The primary reason to buy any iFixit kit is to get the heat spreader tool that's specifically for phone screens and specifically used in their guides.
only buy a $20 kit if you like srewdriver bits made out of cheese.The reason you spend the money is to get good quality bits that won't round off and ruin your screws.
The original LTT screwdriver is a copy of a screwdriver sold by Snap-On and then this recent LTT screwdriver set is a carbon copy of an iFixit kit. If you have a budget to pay more for tools than iFixit, there are specialty brands such as Wiha that have superior tolerances and metallurgy.
I think its advantage is that it's a mix between the ifixit mako driver and the one you showed in the video. A mako kit with bit storage in the driver is cool! I'd consider it as a replacement driver for the one in my ifixit kit (that I ruined now using it as a non-precision driver lol), if postage to Europe wasn't so damn expensive
the way i see this is that the ltt precision screwdriver isn't a copy, more like a premium version of the ifixit kit. they are similar because it's a design that works very well, proven in the fact that the other screwdrivers don't stray very far from the same design
Also some countries have customs restrictions. Amazon US/EU/DE pre-pays the customs fee but I would have to go to the post office in person if I buy the LTT screwdriver. I would actually like to pair it with my small iFixit bit kit but too lazy to buy it
Honestly I'd buy the ifixit one, mainly because I'm on the UK and dont care enough about LTT to overpay for shipping. Some people seem super obsessed with throwing money at them, really pointless when theres an equivilent option from someone like ifixit who's got more experience with products like this.
You know how a lot of people have sounds they just cannot stand? Well.... 12:30, for me, it's the sound of something sliding on a Macbook, apparently. 😂
i have both the ifixit 64 bit and ltt 60 bit kits, and both do the job very well, though the bit selection on the ifixit is better in my opinion. if you just want a really good aluminum precision driver, i would go with ifixit for their better pricing and availability, however, the ltt driver is very nice and the magnetic tray in the case is a much appreciated feature. I'm happy with both purchases.
I personally run the megapro precision, and a vessel ratcheting fixed shaft ph2. They complement each other well for the total being less than the price of the LTT screw driver.
@@JeffGeerlingIt seems the drivers that come with the essential, Minnow, and Moray sets do, but the Mako and Manta don't - they have an all aluminium driver including the "spinner" at the top, with no storage
I think it's interesting that you call the spinning part on the back just "a fidget spinner". I was under the impression that the spinning part on the back was there so that you can put pressure on the back while spinning the screw driver. This is especially helpful for stubborn screws. I understand that not everyone uses it that way, but I sometimes use them that way. So, for me, the question would be more along the lines of: does a bearing really make that much difference, or does the cheaper design work just fine?
I think some of their screwdriver models don't, but the bit driver (at least the one included with Moray) has the blue top you pop off for storing 3 bits. It works decently well.
@@JeffGeerling The Pro Tech toolkit I have at work is pretty similar to the Mako but the one I bought in 2020 doesn't have hidden bit storage. I have a Manta from 2021 at home, I'll have to check when I get done throwing candy at kids tonight!
@ralph90009 the Mako (and by extension pro tech as they slap a magnetic pad on the bottom of the case and toss it in) don't, but the minnow and moray do.
I'm a little confused, I've had the 64 bit iFixit set for several (or more) years. And it DOES has a free-spinning cap on the back. It's so you can turn the driver without drilling into your palm when you need pressure. But mine doesn't hold bits inside, it's solid (the spinning cap can be popped off with enough force).
No matter if it is a copy or not. Linus logic is so flawed. If I copy all of their Floatplane on demand content and sell it for 10$ more, his reaction wouldn't be "it's a more expensive copy, so nothing to worry about".
It isn't a figit spinner, it goes up against your palm and allows you to turn the screw driver without drag on your skin, I am sure you know this and just teasing calling it and treating it like a figit spinner. So the other one without the figit spinner would not be as nice to use with the end against your palm.
ifixit drivers also rotate at the end for “palming” it during use. Maybe they say LTT’s is a fidget spinner because of how they continue to rotate when spun with your thumb? Either way I have a hard time seeing it as anything but a clone with just enough variation to claim that it is a unique and innovative product. Feels more like selling the same product at a higher price because of brand recognition.
The other ones spin as well-it's not quite as silky smooth since it's plastic-on-plastic instead of a metal bearing-but it spins perfectly fine for the times when you rest it against your palm. Almost every precision screwdriver I've used has the same feature.
Keep in mind, the LTT team legit did a segment on wan calling it a fidget spinner and literally timing how long it spins. Obviously, it still has a functional consideration first and foremost, but Jeff isn’t just pulling the fidget spinner thing out of his butt lol
@@JeffGeerling I must admit it would be hard not to spin it intentionally, but this is the first time I had heard one called a figit spinner haha I love your videos, I certainly wasn't having a go or anything, and I just knew you would know why they spin but now I see it is more humour even from LTT apparently, Thanks for all the replies.
I have the all-metal iFixit precision screwdriver, and I really like it more than most precision drivers. I might switch to LTT's since it has a case, and my iFixit is just the screwdriver loose.
This is such a massive case of "Oh my god, who the hell cares", I literally only sat through half this video out of respect, but I can't do the whole thing. It's the same screw driver with swappable bit that's been around since before I was born, moving on.
I have a few ifixit kits and would see no reason to change to LTT. I like LTT and good for them to try to create something better. That said, not planning to buy any new ones.
I really loved this review! I think personally I would always stick to ifixit because of their influence in the right to repair space. Even if 100% of all the money were to go to ifixit the company, I still think they actively do more to fight for right to repair than Linus does (even though I feel linus does a relatively good job as well). Plus, I dont need a fidget spinner.
My only complaint with the ifixit screwdrivers that allow storage in the handle is that the mounting plastic inside doesn't hold the bits well. I can't tell you how many times I went to open it to have them fall out or rattle inside the handle. I still love my Minnow as a travel bit kit though.
either way we are getting screwed
bah dum tsss
I won't like this, the 69 is already there.
thats a bit screwed up 😂😂😂
I'm the one who screws.
A big omission from this video is that iFixit actually makes two driver handles. The one in the video is iFixit's cheaper handle with a plastic construction and a removable endcap for bit storage. The plastic handle is included in the Morray and Minnow Driver Kits and is bundled with some of their repair part kits. iFixit also makes an aluminum handle driver, which includes an endcap bearing but does not have bit storage. This driver is included with the Mako Driver Kit and Pro Tech Toolkit, and can also be purchased individually. The aluminum handle iFixit driver is probably a better comparison to the LTT driver from what I've seen of both.
they used to include the metal driver in their standard 64 bit kit. It makes me sad that they switched to the cheaper driver in that kit now which I see as a reason to buy the LTT if I didnt already have the ifixit kit. If I was still repairing laptops all the time the way I used to I would prefer to have the more robust metal driver then the plastic one ifixit uses now. (also the ifixit bearing would frequently fall off, saw it a lot in the pc repair shop I worked in)
@@blacktrooper100 The 64 bit kit (the Mako kit) still includes the aluminum driver according to their store page. Only the smaller kits include the plastic driver, which has stayed the same since their introduction.
@@thatcomputerguy0101 Ah, I had mixed up the names of the kits in my memory then. thanks for clarifying
Yes! I was going to mention that
Feel like that would be a better comparison as they are a more similar build. I’ve got the ifixt driver and love it. It doesn’t have the bit storage or the infinity spin but it’s a really nice driver
As I said just a couple minutes ago I didn't even know that the cheaper handle came with bit storage. I've never just carried around the driver without the kit, so I'm not sure how much bit storage in the handle would be useful for the kind of work I do.
2:22 Isn't 64-bit better than 32-bit?
lol
D'oh! The obvious joke that I completely missed!
😂😂😂 soo missed that
got’m
You're 5 months early for April Fools Day.
Lmao i did feel the same way about the first half of the video lol
Man alive, I'm glad I'm not the only person who felt this review had fool's day energy.
Lol agreed!
I thought it was a grip for the palm to tighten the screw easily, not a fidget spinner.
I was thinking about too
it is, jury's still out on if trolling or just dense
I agree, the top spinning will help by applying pressure to the top of the driver with your index finger or palm. I would think the spinner with the more precise bearings would be best.
Fidget spinner FFS didn't they die out year ago.
I thought the spinner was for taking out a screw fast after it was loosened, but it does spin the shaft? Bogus!
For some reason I feel like the fidget spinner segment was way too long than it should be. Probably because I don't really care about fidget spinner. Good thing I can skip things like that 🤷
That's why UA-cam invented chapter markers! :D
@@JeffGeerling And we appreciate you for adding them! (:
unrelated to video, but I love your profile pic
@@JeffGeerlingI wish you could force that segment on all viewers Geoff
@@JeffGeerling"invented"? 😭
None of my iFixit precision screwdrivers have bit-storage in the driver; they all just have a fidget spinner built-in. I guess the bit-storage is a relatively new feature from iFixit?
That could be. I have a really old set at home, but it's not a bit driver, just individual drivers with spinny tops with no bit storage.
The Minnow and Moray kits use the polymer handle shown in this video -- the cap comes off of this driver, and it still swivels/spins. The Mako and Manta kits include the aluminum handle -- which has the "fidget spinner" in the top (which I use to apply pressure and steady the driver while I spin it). So not a new feature, just different drivers. The Pro Tech kit includes a Mako set, so that's another way to get the aluminum driver.
@@spencerpennifixit that explains it, since mine are aluminum.
I have a note on that actually. My ifixit driver has the fidget spinner on it and the bearing went bad within like a month. I would like to see a long term test on these as if the one on the ltt driver lasts longer I will definitely pick it up.
@@JeffGeerling How old ? Am i mad or did the big one ( with the two drivers) used to come in a wooden box ?
So the real comparison would be
LTT:
Aluminium with bit storage
higher quality? bearing
longer thin part of the bits that could be useful in some cases.
60 bits
hinge on lid
magnets in lid (not sure I understood that)?
49 dollars
iFixit:
Plastic with bit storage
32 bits
19 dollars
iFixit:
aluminium without bit storage.
64 bits
39 dollars
I think you will be happy with all but you do get things you are not getting with the iFixit version in the LTT version. If it is worth 10 dollars that is up to everyone's usecase. 10 dollars is nothing if you need to reach a screw that you can not reach without the longer thin part of the bits if not it is a pointless feature.
Yeah, the longer thin necks on the bits can be really handy
I have got a number of iFixit kits and LTT precision kits.
The LTT precision driver really holds onto screws a lot better because of the magnets and has become my favourite for working on equipment. Also being able to hold extra bits makes it really handy to grab for a quick job and not have to worry about carrying a full kit.
The iFixit plastic drivers don’t feel solid, the aluminium ones feel absolutely excellent but they both have the same major flaw. The magnets are way too weak and amount of screws that I’ve dropped in annoying place’s while trying to repair equipment is maddening. Having to take a server off the a rack and shake it to get a screw that fell in is not fun.
For kits, size wise the iFix Minnow is the perfect size for fitting in my laptop bag. Had do add extra bits to make it useful for Pc repair. The Manta is in my tool bag for when I do maintenance as it has almost everything. The LTT bit set is somewhere in the middle.
If iFixit end up reading these comments, please put stronger magnets in your drivers.
I really started to wonder if this video was supposed to be satire during the spinner comparisons
Re: Xubuntu - I like it on older laptops but my favorite low-spec option in the Ubuntu family is Ubuntu MATE, thanks to a fantastic MATE Tweak implementation that lets you customize the layout easily, and a best-in-class welcome screen which walks you through everything you might need if you're new to the ecosystem.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to weld a fidget spinner on my iFixit driver.
Ah! I think someone had mentioned that, but I couldn't remember it. I will definitely have to check it out.
I haven't done much distro hopping, probably time to spend some time doing that. Thanks!
@@JeffGeerling The only difference really worth noting is that Xubuntu uses the XFCE Desktop Environment with XFCE apps, while Ubuntu MATE uses it's own DE, a fork of GNOME 2 but with GNOME 2 and GNOME 40-series applications, plus the new Ubuntu ones, I think.
There is also Lubuntu, which uses the QT-based LXDE, which is a low-power competitor to KDE Plasma.
Just echoing what others are saying, but the precision iFixit driver that I have is metal with a spinning cap, but has no bit storage. It sounds like the one with bit storage has the storage advantage, but then the cap doesn't spin?
I wouldn't want a precision driver if the cap didn't spin, this makes screwing things in much more seamless. You can lodge the cap into your palm, and twist the drivers with your fingers to get way more extra pressure.
To me it sounds like the LTT driver perfected the formula by giving you both a spinning cap, and bit storage. I also believe that most people would prefer that the bit storage doesn't detach.
The cap does spin, it just doesn't have a bearing to make it a fidget spinner.
Genuinely can't tell if this is meant to be 100% satirical or just partially satirical.
I'd decided not to buy the LTT precision driver, partly because I don't have a lot of spare cash. But I'd also decided that my iFixit set was probably just as good anyway. Nice to have confirmation.
Something you missed, there are 2 different ifixit precision drivers. You have the plastic version with bit storage in the end. The more equivalent driver to LTTs is aluminum and does not have the built-in bit storage
There's no point in getting mad over a precision screwdriver. I'm sure both are good quality and there are better reasons to buy the iFixIT version. unless you want tosupport LTT, but I'm sure many who get the LTT version also have an iFIXIT on.
Plus, it's not like iFixit invented precision screwdrivers. There have been similar kits available for decades. In fact, the iFixit one I have is probably 10+ years old now and is really just a generic kit with their name and label on it. The new ones appear to be custom made for them, but that's recent.
It's a tool, and both options are fine-certainly better than the cheapest drivers on the market. I don't judge anyone for their tool selection... after all there's a market for Snap-On and the like. It's not for me, but for those who like it or need the support, it's there.
Yeaaah Jeff I think you got this one wrong man,
I say this as someone very much *not* tempted to by an ltt precision driver as I am happy with my mako (and have also used the plastic ifixit driver):
If you want a metal constructed precision screwdriver, that has fast and easy to use bit storage the ltt one does offer something new. I do not enjoy the plastic ifixit driver, it doesn’t inspire confidence and the plastic spinner at the top is just not good to use. The mako doesn’t have bit storage, and while that’s okay for me, I understand the market niche the ltt one is satisfying with this product.
I don’t think ltt has “ripped off” ifixit here, they may look similar in design language but it does offer something new with integrating the excellent bit storage used in the ltt big driver and its not really trying to undercut ifixit, it’s for the people who really want “the best” driver. It feels like the same design philosophy as the original driver: it’s as good as you can get, but at cost that is worth it to enthusiasts who really value the experience
What are you talking about? Fidget Spinner? The top usually rotates to make it easier to twist the screwdriver 1 handed. Similar to how ratchets work.
That is indeed the actual function of the top part of this precision driver, however, during development, Linus and team found that there’s rotated for quite a long period of time hence a great fidget spinner, and they have since been promoting it in their various podcast and live streams as such. An inside joke if you will.
Personally I think the magnetic and segmented screw/parts holder in the LTT setup is probably worth the extra cost on its own - at least for the sort of jobs a 'precision' screwdriver gets used for - nothing worse than taking something apart with wildly different screw lengths in unpredictable positions so it really matters which one goes where to then bump the tray holding 'em. And as its detachable with a decent and durable looking hinge you get the benefits of being able to spread it out to suit your space and unlike cheaper set knowing the case should last too.
I don't have and probably won't buy either, I already have plenty of small bits and drivers for them, but if I'm ever needing to buy a new one it would be the LTT over the IFixit just for the case, even if the quality of the LTT one wasn't seemingly better too. Sure I can print my own perfect case etc - but that also costs money and time, only so many projects to make your tools better you want to do instead of the project you actually wanted...
I own the Mako kit already and also won’t be buying the LTT version. But the stronger magnet ALONE is worth $10 for me. Not losing screws off the end nearly as much saves me so much frustration and time searching the carpet. The magnet on my large LTT screw driver is twice as strong and if the LTT precision driver magnet is similar, well worth it. The better parts tray top is a nice bonus too.
I've been heavily using 4mm bit drivers for over 15 years, and I had zero need for one with built in bit storage.
I can say that because I own 4 different ones with integrated bit storage. I much prefer the ones with compact storage cases that aren't clamshells held shut with magnets. For the driver, it means less weight, less complexity, better cost, 50 bits in a secure case that fits in my shirt pocket, and I don't need to think about where 3 of my bits went when I'm cleaning up a workspace.
And "fidget spinner" tops were cool a few years ago, when companies were trying to show off that their product doesn't have a solid bushing in the end cap. I usually inject grease in them or machine a bushing to replace the bearing to make it less goofy and spinny.
The one review angle I wish you did was a push down torque test using the "fidget spinner".
Or maybe project farm will have this in a couple weeks.
WTF! It's not a fidget spinner. Having a rotating top on small screwdrivers genuinely helps in my opinion. When the recess in a screw that you're turning can be less than a millimetre in depth, moving your hand on the screwdriver can cause the driver to jump out. Being able to easily apply pressure on the end of the screwdriver to keep it in whilst turning prevents this. It isn't a spinner. It is useful although not the first screwdriver to have a rotating end.
Even the plastic precision screwdrivers you get out Christmas crackers have a cap that spins for the reasons you gave. But it specifically promoted as a fidget spinner, for fun.
From the LTT site
"Functional and fun end cap
A ceramic and steel hybrid bearing in the end cap delivers a smooth screwing experience. We also snuck in some fun - it doubles as a satisfying fidget toy that seems to spin forever!"
iFixit's higher-end driver (metal, no bit storage) has a spinning top too, albeit with a bearing that seems far more designed to "spin for screwdriver work" than "spin as a fidget toy". The friction's high enough that it doesn't really free-spin at all, but it's still easy to spin manually.
He’s going based off what Linus was saying which was fidget spinner as it was an intentional design point
Linus does market it as a fidget spinner while knowing its actual purpose. They didn’t set out to do it that way but discovered during development that its a great spinner.
I will say while other precision drivers that I have do rotate for the intended purpose, none of them spin the crazy length of time like the LTT one does; hence the promotion of it being a fidget spinner :-)
i'm glad that you took the time to test the VERY IMPORTANT rpm of the spinner, and the actual time, but i can't forgive you that you didn't do the DROP test, because i think that would be the real difference of the two screwdrivers
Dang it!
Is the fidget spinner segment some kind of tongue in cheek joke?
Heh, pretty much! I was considering what kind of tests I could do that would demonstrate any substantial difference between these drivers. After using the LTT for a few weeks, honestly the fidget spinner is the only thing that feels different. The driver's a tiny bit heavier, the case has a hinge (which in my use, could be a hindrance sometimes, or a help other times, so it's a wash).
So I tried to think of a couple things I could test out with the fidget spinner to see if it might make a difference outside just being a novelty. (Plot twist: it doesn't!).
I think it's a bit. ;)
If you don’t happen to watch LTT, that tongue in cheek joke is how they market it in some of their live streams in Podcasts. Everyone knows it’s actual purpose, but they lean into the fun because it’s well fun.
@@Daphoid I stopped watching LTT a long time ago, but I do watch TechLinked because I love Reilly.
@ fair enough! And everyone loves Reilly :)
It's not "really" a fidget spinner. They designed the endcap so that you can use it for that, but the reason why there's a bearing in the endcap is so that you can put a lot of pressure on the back of the screwdriver while still allowing it to spin *relatively* freely, as opposed to having to overcome the friction of your palm in addition to the friction of whatever stuck screw you're trying to get out. The ifixit aluminium driver also has a bearing in it for this exact purpose.
The old version of the ifixit aluminium driver even had an extension shaft that you could put into a horizontal hole at the back of the shaft to use as a lever for additional force. I'm sad that went away, that was also a fantastic feature.
It's always good to have competition, and for a long time iFixit really didn't have any GOOD competition. Linus has never been shy about how much time and money they put into their screwdriver development to make a high quality tool. I've got the Pro kit from iFixit and I got an LTT driver and they feel very different to me in my hands. I like both for different reasons, but I bought an LTT driver quickly because I want to encourage them to keep making them and the competition will benefit all of us consumers.
9:02 👀 i think it's average size, some might even say it's too big 😶🌫️
small hands = big .... -LS 2020/21/22
I wanted the LTT driver the instant that I saw you open the handle with the extra bits, several videos ago.
My multi bit precision driver set lives at my maker station, but I do a lot of work on a coffee table while sitting in the recliner in my living room (yeah, I'm a retired old fart, who watches YT while working). So, it is a hassle to get up, just to get another bit in the other room or carry the entire set around that takes up real estate on the coffee table.
90% of the time, I'm only using 3-4 bits and don't want them floating around to get lost. So the LTT is the perfect solution.
It's great that the driver is sold separately @$30 and is compatible with my existing bit set, which have an under-formed #2 Phillips bits without sharp points that are useless.
The detachable lid and magnetic case is a great feature, as well. My cheap case has a plastic latch that's about to break. "You only get what you pay for." I prefer to pay the price for quality.
The trade off between price and convenience is a no brainer in the long term. Waiting 3 more days is insignificant to a retired hermit.
That's my 2 cents. JS
Enjoyed your in depth irrelevant comparative product testing, while maintaining a straight face. 😂
Additional function of the plastic iFixit top is a reset pin/phone card ejector. The longer slim section on the LTT bits is easier to get into deepset small screws .
Oh that's why there's a pin there! I was wondering what its purpose was.
why does this review feel pointless?
That was the point
Because it is.
So me and tens of thousands can goto Linus’s website to see this kit back ordered….
It could use a bit more.
It seems that the Precision driver in my 'Pro Tech Toolkit' from iFixit does not support bit storage, and, if I’m not mistaken, the driver in the more affordable 'Moray' kit is plastic. According to iFixit’s website, the Moray kit includes a '4 mm Precision Bit Driver with Integrated SIM Eject Tool,' while the Mako kit features a '4 mm Aluminum Bit Driver.' While there is a price premium between the iFixit offerings and the LTT offerings, I feel the review may be somewhat overstated. Perhaps I missed the humor intended, but it struck me as a bit off. Wiens also really seemed to try and dodge the shots from X.
I admire your seemingly genuine opinions on our "tech-troversies" we all love to make up in this market segment. I feel like even though I don't watch every one of your videos, I'm able to completely admire your style of journalism as being absolutely objective, while ceding to the demands of us viewers craving a storyline. It's so damn on point. Thanks Jeff!
Macbook as desk pad… I sense dankpods vibes here 😂
Jeff going 300% on the figit spinner had me wheezing. Absolutely 10/10 content, never thought I'd see you "benchmark" that particular part.
We need to get GN Steve into this to develop an entire methodology and chart this thing fromt to back! XD
in case anyone doesn't know, the purpose of the spinning cap on top is for your palm to rest on so you can turn the screwdriver without turning your wrist, which means you slip less when turning
Worth noting, the Klein being longer will fit in other areas that the smaller ones wont. I specifically used one to fix a projector that had smaller screws that were buried in the molded holes. The ifixit extension in the Mako and a standard craftsman were too thick.
This might be the nicest way ever of saying "both of you knock it off."
16:32 thanks for keeping this channel family friendly Jeff 🤗
The bigger kit’s precision bit driver is fully metal like ltt’s, and it’s similarly priced ($40), I think this is a better comparison than the plastic one.
The point of the "fidget spinner" is not fidget spinning, it's to allow you to put pressure on the screw and driver by pushing down from the top, and allow you to rotate the screwdriver and screw without having to rotate the top.
I think the point of the "fidget spinner" is to make palm driving easier, the smooth bearing helps it hold in your palm while the driver is allowed to turn.
Either way, you arent wrong, we all have mulitple different drivers for different use cases.
Jeff is too nice for this world. Thanks for the comparison of all these side by side. I have the LTT regular and stubby models down in my room where I'm constantly tearing apart and modifying systems for myself or friends/family. I wish LTT would have made a product that's better for working on full-size ATX systems than a precision, but slimmer than the current driver. I also have the iFixit kit and I feel like it's not beefy enough for my irish bearpaws or something. LTT on the other hand just a little too chonk - would give up the ratchet for a slimmer variant for sure.
I have that exact model of Macbook Air, I've replaced the battery at least once and it still works fine.
I thought today was Halloween, not April Fools Day.
I bought a couple of the normal-sized LTT screwdrivers because they were legitimately good. This precision screwdriver isn't really an upgrade over my already excessive amount of iFixit kits, so I'll be passing this one up in all likelihood. Unless I managed to break anything out of the iFixit kit, in which case I might replace it with the LTT, but I fixed it has newer kits that are also probably worthy upgrades.
20 minutes of pure, viscous shade; and he managed to be 100% sincere all the way through. mad props Jeff
Honestly, super glad to see this video even if it half of it is basically a meme. When I saw the precision set, I (like many others) immediately said “… that’s just the ifixit kit but with some tiny changes.”
Honestly, I wish it had been an ifixit colab instead of their own product, because right now I just don’t see it as really being worth it. It doesn’t really feel like that much of an innovation. This isn’t to say I think they ripped off ifixit in bad faith or something, but it definitely just doesn’t feel like the put the same level of love into it as their full sized screwdriver
To be fair though, ifixit is now basically the gold standard for consumer/prosumer level repair kids, so, it makes sense it would be hard to really beat them out.
But hey, at the end of the day, at least it’s still a quality product. It’s not like some other content creators slapping their name on cheap, mass manufactured crap and selling it for a huge mark up.
Yeah I have no gripe with LTT/LMG here. They're not selling cryptoscams, or candy. They're offering a legitimate, good tool, with some improvements over what's come before. I think their pricing is tough, but I know plenty of people would be happy paying it to support LMG, or to have the novelty of a fidget spinner built into their driver!
My ifixit driver has a “fidget spinner” on top. OG pro tech toolkit
I feel like I am going mad, ifixit didn't invent multibit small screw drivers. Linus didn't invent the fidget spinner multi bit driver either. There have been tons of Chinese multi-tool drivers on sale for years and years.
Yep.
Yep - for example, Wiha had a really good and cheap set they branded for Xiaomi. I have that one permanently installed in my work bag. Or more recently, the Wiha zai Hause precision screw driver kit is an excellent option. In both cases, you know that you'll get good quality bits produced by someone with a name in the game.
As a Dutchman, I feel like you've omitted the biggest improvement of the LTT set over the iFixit one.
Jeff, did you notice the iFixit Mako and Moray have different screwdrivers? The Mako driver can be bought as a spare part. It's also a metal driver, but the Mako cap turns freely while the Moray cap does not. I'd say the LTT driver improves on the Mako driver, but I haven't used it.
What I suspect makes the LTT precision driver better than iFixit's for me (y'know, if I had one) is that it'll work with some double-ended 4mm bits that don't work in every 4mm driver, and of course the stronger magnet.
Notably iFixit has a 1/4" driver kit that's supposed to rival the Mako. It does not, the magnet is weak enough it might as well not be there.
The moray cap does spin freely as well!
I know part of this comparison is meant to be memey but I do wish you spent more time on a 1:1 comparison with what comes with the 64 bit kit.
I would never "upgrade" to this from my iFixit kit but if I didn't have one, I'd consider the LTT set.
I miss not having bit storage on my driver and I really like LTT's case being a magnetic parts tray. I also think the bits have pros and cons but I appreciate the extra length and while iFixit's magnet is adequate, I'd appreciate a stronger one.
But this one's on Linus for spending so much time talking about the fidget spinner bit.
I got a relatively cheap Xiaomi set that has been my main set for a wild. I'd like to get something with more bits (and thinner/longer bit options), but I'm still not blown away by the offerings. I know iFixit is the standard, but the foam packaging is an odd choice to me. Xiaomi holds their bits in with magnets and it works pretty well. I like the detachable hinged case on the LTT one but iFixit is already a pain to ship to New Zealand (easier/cheaper to buy their tools from Amazon, I believe), so LTT definitely is going to be expensive coming halfway across the world, and from Canada no less. Just seems like whichever is cheaper for the buyer is going to be the better one, and if you need options, iFixit has that all-in-one kit that has just about every bit you could ever want.
let me say one thing. There were precision screwdriver before ifixit was a thing.
I hate all the tech drama. Why can't they just sue each other and leave everyone else out of it.
And yet again the $20 117 in 1 set I got from amazon 5 years ago wins. It doesn't have a magnetic case, but the screwdriver is honestly just as nice as the ifixit from my experience, has every bit I've ever needed, is magnetic and even has the flex bit and some half way okay pry tools. The ifixit is nice, but I'll grab either or when working on something and don't have a complaint either way.
The way you're holding it the fidget spinner doesn't make a massive difference but it you rest your hand on the back end of the driver then the fidget spinner is really useful for screwing (or especially unscrewing) with only 1 hand so you can hold something steady or hold a light or whatever with the other hand. Or just apply more pressure to get a better grip of a stubborn screw.
I have or have had three iFixit kits -- the Mako driver kit (which got taken from me at the airport for some reason), the larger Manta kit I bought to replace it, and the "Essential Electronics Kit" I carry in my photo bag, which has the plastic iFixit driver Jeff was showing off here. I've never had a project where I carry that driver around instead of the whole kit, so I'm not sure that having the bits in the handle is that useful.
That said, based on the various bits of drama I've seen over the years I'd be a bit dubious about warranties from LTT. With iFixit, I've contacted them twice about issues I ran into -- I cracked the case on the Manta kit coming back from the UK and the back of my Manta driver came off about a week ago. I contacted them about it, asking if I could buy a new case piece or how to repair the driver, respectively, and they sent me what I needed -- in the case of the Manta kit a whole new driver -- free of charge. If nothing else that would cause me to stick with iFixit.
Ifixit has a precision small screwdriver with ball bearing spinning top, but you decided to show the plastic shit one?
You should have also tried the metal iFixit driver, which is much more similar in my opinion (though it doesn't have bit storage).
Idk man, I'm part of the neither club. I have a $10 precision screwdriver set (a brand with similar generic parts is KIPRUN's 115 in 1 set) from Aliexpress. Comes with magnetic bits, extendable head. Took apart PCs and Macbooks, did various 3D printed projects with it, even fixed up my bicycle with it.
If its not motorised, its not a significant enough upgrade to warrant me spending any more than $20 other than a hype train.
Its the same reason why I don't really get iFixit kits. As long as the clones don't rust, its good enough.
I have both those Kliens and they're great. I especially like the little one for edc. I bought the bigger one for edc but it's too long. That being said, I'm gonna pick up the LTT driver.
I also have a few iFixit bits and a driver that came with a kit. What someone needs to make is a case that holds two drivers and has a space for extra bits. There are plenty of times when having two drivers with different bits is super handy. And having them be already different colors is a benefit.
My favorite micro-bit driver set is ... just like the one Jeff inherited from Uncle Mark. What Jeff got wrong with it is that you should always use the shaft extender, even if it's all the way in. That way the bits can be quick changed and won't slip into the shaft.
16:32 @ActionRetro would be proud!
Caught the reference!
The only serious comparison to make is the material of the bits.
Whichever one is more prone to stripping and wear. You could test it by forcibly over torqueing and stripping a screw with a bit and see the wear comparison
It looks more premium. That's important to some people, just not you Jeff.
But it has no RGB!
I might be more tempted to get the Ltt if it had a good magnetic extension. It might make the price worth it.
btw I fixit's metal driver (The one that comes with the mako) does not have bit storage.
11:25 ive had the same ifixit kit for almost 10 years at this point and the foam insert still holds well.
Good to know!
Just ordered iFixit Mako.
19:34 It really all comes down to bit selection. You can get sets with 140+ different bits for about $20 which can be helpful for dealing with the intentionally bad design choices of Apple. The primary reason to buy any iFixit kit is to get the heat spreader tool that's specifically for phone screens and specifically used in their guides.
only buy a $20 kit if you like srewdriver bits made out of cheese.The reason you spend the money is to get good quality bits that won't round off and ruin your screws.
No thanks, I have Japan manufactured and imported from Vessel precision screwdrivers and they are worth their weight in gold.
The original LTT screwdriver is a copy of a screwdriver sold by Snap-On and then this recent LTT screwdriver set is a carbon copy of an iFixit kit. If you have a budget to pay more for tools than iFixit, there are specialty brands such as Wiha that have superior tolerances and metallurgy.
I think its advantage is that it's a mix between the ifixit mako driver and the one you showed in the video. A mako kit with bit storage in the driver is cool!
I'd consider it as a replacement driver for the one in my ifixit kit (that I ruined now using it as a non-precision driver lol), if postage to Europe wasn't so damn expensive
the way i see this is that the ltt precision screwdriver isn't a copy, more like a premium version of the ifixit kit. they are similar because it's a design that works very well, proven in the fact that the other screwdrivers don't stray very far from the same design
The LTT driver has the "fidget spinner" so you can rotate the driver while pressing it with your palm.
As do all the other drivers I featured in this video, they just don't spin as much like a fidget.
@@JeffGeerling Yeah but your attatched fidget spinner doesn't actally provide this feature.
Also some countries have customs restrictions. Amazon US/EU/DE pre-pays the customs fee but I would have to go to the post office in person if I buy the LTT screwdriver. I would actually like to pair it with my small iFixit bit kit but too lazy to buy it
I dont think the Mako driver has bit storage in the handle @2:29
It seems the Moray *does* have the storage, but the Mako does not.
Honestly I'd buy the ifixit one, mainly because I'm on the UK and dont care enough about LTT to overpay for shipping. Some people seem super obsessed with throwing money at them, really pointless when theres an equivilent option from someone like ifixit who's got more experience with products like this.
You know how a lot of people have sounds they just cannot stand? Well.... 12:30, for me, it's the sound of something sliding on a Macbook, apparently. 😂
It is a pretty grating sound lol
3:50 ughhhh that sound. Why is bro using his macbook as his deskpad lol.
i have both the ifixit 64 bit and ltt 60 bit kits, and both do the job very well, though the bit selection on the ifixit is better in my opinion. if you just want a really good aluminum precision driver, i would go with ifixit for their better pricing and availability, however, the ltt driver is very nice and the magnetic tray in the case is a much appreciated feature. I'm happy with both purchases.
I personally run the megapro precision, and a vessel ratcheting fixed shaft ph2. They complement each other well for the total being less than the price of the LTT screw driver.
Waiting for the Jeff vs Red Shirt Jeff video
And then there's Harbor Freight who sells a Quinn 87 piece electronics repair kit for $34.99
You said both precision drivers have hidden storage at the top... But I'm not sure what you're talking about. iFixit Mako does not
It most assuredly does. Check 03:44
@@JeffGeerlingIt seems the drivers that come with the essential, Minnow, and Moray sets do, but the Mako and Manta don't - they have an all aluminium driver including the "spinner" at the top, with no storage
Mako doesn’t have the hit storage. Only saw the minnow having one
I think it's interesting that you call the spinning part on the back just "a fidget spinner". I was under the impression that the spinning part on the back was there so that you can put pressure on the back while spinning the screw driver. This is especially helpful for stubborn screws. I understand that not everyone uses it that way, but I sometimes use them that way. So, for me, the question would be more along the lines of: does a bearing really make that much difference, or does the cheaper design work just fine?
Can't say I'm a fan of Linus or LTT anymore, but great video as always :)
this is like the opposite of a project farm review lol
Very impressive!
I don't think either of my iFixit kits have hidden storage, is that new? At the least I know my small one at work doesn't!
I think some of their screwdriver models don't, but the bit driver (at least the one included with Moray) has the blue top you pop off for storing 3 bits. It works decently well.
@@JeffGeerling The Pro Tech toolkit I have at work is pretty similar to the Mako but the one I bought in 2020 doesn't have hidden bit storage. I have a Manta from 2021 at home, I'll have to check when I get done throwing candy at kids tonight!
@ralph90009 the Mako (and by extension pro tech as they slap a magnetic pad on the bottom of the case and toss it in) don't, but the minnow and moray do.
I'm a little confused, I've had the 64 bit iFixit set for several (or more) years. And it DOES has a free-spinning cap on the back. It's so you can turn the driver without drilling into your palm when you need pressure. But mine doesn't hold bits inside, it's solid (the spinning cap can be popped off with enough force).
No matter if it is a copy or not. Linus logic is so flawed. If I copy all of their Floatplane on demand content and sell it for 10$ more, his reaction wouldn't be "it's a more expensive copy, so nothing to worry about".
my ifixit driver has a "fidget spinner". I've got the Mako kit. Looks more comparable to the LNG kit.
Jeff, why did you blur you applying the "thermal "paste" "? 🤨
To reduce the number of comments about the application of thermal paste :D
Though it sometimes has the opposite effect!
Cross vs dots vs x vs box vs..................
It isn't a figit spinner, it goes up against your palm and allows you to turn the screw driver without drag on your skin, I am sure you know this and just teasing calling it and treating it like a figit spinner. So the other one without the figit spinner would not be as nice to use with the end against your palm.
ifixit drivers also rotate at the end for “palming” it during use. Maybe they say LTT’s is a fidget spinner because of how they continue to rotate when spun with your thumb? Either way I have a hard time seeing it as anything but a clone with just enough variation to claim that it is a unique and innovative product. Feels more like selling the same product at a higher price because of brand recognition.
The other ones spin as well-it's not quite as silky smooth since it's plastic-on-plastic instead of a metal bearing-but it spins perfectly fine for the times when you rest it against your palm. Almost every precision screwdriver I've used has the same feature.
Keep in mind, the LTT team legit did a segment on wan calling it a fidget spinner and literally timing how long it spins.
Obviously, it still has a functional consideration first and foremost, but Jeff isn’t just pulling the fidget spinner thing out of his butt lol
@@tonyolmstead8282 I can't pull anything out of my butt, anyway, I have an ostomy!
@@JeffGeerling I must admit it would be hard not to spin it intentionally, but this is the first time I had heard one called a figit spinner haha
I love your videos, I certainly wasn't having a go or anything, and I just knew you would know why they spin but now I see it is more humour even from LTT apparently,
Thanks for all the replies.
I have the all-metal iFixit precision screwdriver, and I really like it more than most precision drivers. I might switch to LTT's since it has a case, and my iFixit is just the screwdriver loose.
This is such a massive case of "Oh my god, who the hell cares", I literally only sat through half this video out of respect, but I can't do the whole thing. It's the same screw driver with swappable bit that's been around since before I was born, moving on.
I have a few ifixit kits and would see no reason to change to LTT. I like LTT and good for them to try to create something better. That said, not planning to buy any new ones.
I really loved this review! I think personally I would always stick to ifixit because of their influence in the right to repair space. Even if 100% of all the money were to go to ifixit the company, I still think they actively do more to fight for right to repair than Linus does (even though I feel linus does a relatively good job as well). Plus, I dont need a fidget spinner.
My only complaint with the ifixit screwdrivers that allow storage in the handle is that the mounting plastic inside doesn't hold the bits well. I can't tell you how many times I went to open it to have them fall out or rattle inside the handle. I still love my Minnow as a travel bit kit though.