When I first heard about this tool, I was already looking for a small, lightweight driver with a rechargeable battery. Now that I’ve had and used the Gyro for several months (and there are now a few similar tools on the market), I can honestly say it’s just what I needed.

This is not something to replace a proper drill/driver, it’s not for high-volume use, and probably wouldn’t be great in a situation where a lot of speed or torque is needed. But it’s great for the home hobbyist who will occasionally drive a few wood screws, and for certain other situations.

The Gyro has one button, a large pad that your palm engages naturally when grasping the driver. Twist right to tighten, left to loosen; twist further to speed up or back off toward neutral to slow down. “Neutral” here is whatever position you started in: the Gyro doesn’t care which way you hold it, just which direction and how far you twist it. A small white LED on the front comes on automatically as well and does an okay job of lighting the area around the tip of the tool.

I use it in my work installing low-voltage (data/phone) cabling. Most of what I do is retrofit work, and I typically need to drive four long, low-torque screws per wall plate. Doing this by hand takes too long for my patience and stresses my wrist. Instead I carry the Gyro and make short work of those screws with precise speed control — slow to get it started, fast to burn through most of the length, then slow again to finish and tighten.

The Gyro accepts any standard hex-shank bit, so if you are really in a pinch, you could actually drill a hole with it. I’ve found it to hold a charge well, even when it sits for days or weeks between uses. It comes with a proprietary charger (of course) but one plus for me is that the battery is integral – no separate charger, cord, and removable battery to keep track of. As fast as battery technology and tool form factors change, I don’t see an upside in having a removable battery – for this type of tool.

Just two minuses: I wouldn’t mind some cleverly designed on-board storage for an extra bit or two, and I don’t rely on the LED work light to really illuminate… well, much of anything.

Lightweight, packable, holds a charge well, and does just what it advertises — and doesn’t try to do more. Simple and highly functional at one specific thing.

-- Kyle Wayman 02/13/15