I had been looking for a track saw for a while and could not make up my mind. I saw a review of this tool online and decided to purchase it and I'm glad I did.This is my first track saw (and may well be my last), so I can't compare it to other brands or models, but this item screams quality. It feels very well made, solid, and works like a dream, I will never go back to a circular saw and straightedge!PROS:1) It was well packaged and comes with a nice storage box. Normally I wouldn't care, but it is basically square and flat, unlike most of the router/nailer/sander cases I have. It will be easy to stack on a shelf with other items.2) The device is basically self-explanatory, so I had it out of the box, the track trimmed, and the first cuts in some plywood made in minutes. The set up was easy, the cuts were quick, accurate, and clean.3) The saw connects easily to the track, and the amount of tension on the track is adjustable, so you can set it to slide as tightly as you prefer. It sits firmly on the track and feels extremely solid while you are cutting. You CAN lift the saw off the track (which you don't want to do), so just apply a little downward pressure, which is easy as you get that naturally when you plunge the saw blade.4) The blade stops spinning almost immediately when you release the power. Seems like a great safety feature to me.5) The depth gauge is really easy to set, much better than how it is done on a circular saw.CONS:1) It does not come with any tracks so you have to buy them separately. On the plus side, it is compatible with numerous tracks available on the market, so you have plenty of options. I bought a 110" Powertec track kit (2 55" tracks and connectors) and a pair of track clamps (although I have not needed the clamps yet). That brought the total cost to just under $650.2) None of my current hoses or adapters fit the dust port. I had one that almost fit over the port, so for now I am holding the hose in place until I can find the correct connector. I ran a cut without DC and a cut with it and it is night and day, so you'll definitely want to use the dust port. I also found a design online for a "Metabo Saw KT 18 LTX 66 BL Port Cover" and 3D printed it - it fit perfectly, so I'm sure that helps with the dust collection as well. [NOTE: you can also buy a printed item if you do not have a 3D printer] This is apparently very common for track saws, I don't know why the big brands don't supply a cover in the first place.3) I've seen people mention the lack of a riving knife and anti-tip as cons. I can see why you may want these features, but with a proper set up and usage I don't find the lack of these important. I bought a 4x8' piece of foam board insulation to use as a cutting base, which keep both the saw and the material flat and held the cut off in its original position. I'm sure it also helps prevent chip out on the underside. The anti-tip may be more important if you do a miter cut.4) My miter lock position came preset in the -1 to -2 range NOT 0. I caught it before I made my first cut, so not a big deal, but it would be easy for someone to not notice that at first.CONCLUSION:Even with the cons listed above, this gets 5 stars. Buy it, be happy, move on to the next thing :-)

Let me start off by saying that I’m not loyal to any one brand of tools. I’m a professional that doesn’t mind keeping a few different chargers around. I own high end track saws such as mafell and the other green tool. This saw is an incredible value for what you get in the kit. Battery alone runs you around 120 usd. The case you get feels more durable and robust than sustainers from other brands. To clear up confusion yes it works with Makita/festool tracks and the powertec tracks for those tools. I ran the saw through high gloss coated melamine, cdx plywood, prefinished maple plywood, solid rift white oak, and even cut a few runs of pvc decking in the week I’ve had it. The saw has a wind up time to it, but it also has a really good brake to it. I don’t have a decibel reader but it seems to also be the most quiet of all my saws. The option to run corded with the ac adapter (sold separately) is something that sets this saw apart from all the others. It hasn’t skipped a beat and the cuts are all perfect. The depth of cut says 2 9/16s but that’s off track. I get roughly 2 7/16s depth of cut with powertec tracks. I would recommend a dust extractor if using it indoors. Or take it outside and keep a blower on your bench between cuts.My only four gripes with the saw and maybe I’m nitpicking here:Front handle is a hallow thin piece of plastic. But let’s be real who grabs the front handle unless you’re cutting a bevel. Not a deal breaker for me.No anti tip feature at all. I get it maybe since there’s so many aftermarket tracks you can’t design something that will always be compatible. Also not a deal breaker for me you just gotta hold on firmly when beveling.The bevel adjustment gauge and thumb screw is made of plastic. I do believe making wear items on saws out of plastic isn’t the best idea but many other saws do.No riving knife or anti kick back. Take it slow and pay attention for binding. Support your fall off and don’t try to hold the fall off under the blade. Riving knife’s are an awesome safety feature but they do force you to stick to a certain blade thickness forever. So I can live with it.At the end of the day you’re getting a great saw, battery, charger, and awesome case for a great deal. Can’t beat it at this price point. You can step up to a festool or you can buy a second Metabo hpt and still have beer money left over. Cheers and happy cutting.

I’m a cabinet maker by trade and decided to give this saw a try after my 13 year old Festool 55mm corded saw died. That saw is a dream, but would sometimes struggle with power sources when taking on the job site. Let me tell you, I’ve had the saw for 4 months now and I am not disappointed by the Metabo in performance compared to the Festool in anyway. The saw has plenty of power for what I need it to do, mainly ripping down sheet goods and butcher block counter tops. It has not bogged down once. I can go all day with one battery. It does however start to struggle when the battery dips below 2 bars. Not a big deal for me being I also own their 1/2 inch collett battery router (also fantastic, goes through 1 1/2 maple butcher block in one pass!) that also came with an 8 amp battery. Don’t want to drag this on, but if you’re looking for a battery powered track saw, you can’t go wrong with this saw. It is also compatible with all my Festool and Makita guide rails. A good review by 731 Woodworks is on YouTube if you don’t believe me. I watched his video after I already had the saw a few weeks, but he put into words what I was feeling about the saw. Only time will tell if it lasts as long as my old Festool, but for now, it’s highly recommended.