[bfblack]

I really like the feel of the hand grip on my Milwaukee fixed base router, and the control it gives me. The Bosch motor is (relatively) quiet and smooth as silk, though I'm not particularly fond of the wooden handles- pretty, but a bit awkward for me.

I think the ergonomics of the handle is very important but difficult to obtain without having the router in hand. Talk to some of your local woodworking buddies and ask if you can put their router in your hand. Of, try a big box store with a good collection of routers on display.

 

[bfblack]

I think what you're saying is a good thought but the problem I always run into is they don't have the brand I want to evaluate. If they have it in a box I have no problem asking an employee to open it but sometimes they won't. I was at Advanced Auto the other month looking at a $200 floor jack that I might have bought but they weren't willing to open the box. There loss.

I did not say this would be an easy task. A router is a tool that I use over and over so I want it to feel right. "Feel right" is a very subjective term. A lot of people on this forum really like Bosch routers and I respect their judgement. Every time I have picked up a Bosch router with the round handles, my immediate reaction is that it doesn't "feel right". It has nothing to do with the general quality of the product. It is all about the ergonomics of how your hands mate with the tool. That is why I am advocating handling the router you are interested in purchasing.