Used Icon for a heater core without removing dash only glove boxes on my 2017 nissan frontier if it wasnt for this thing I wouldn't been able to squeeze in there.
Glad you highlighted the Icon's case design - I honestly think it's as responsible for the kit's success as any of the tools inside it. Sure, the ratchet has some nifty tricks that have saved my bacon a few times, but it's not particularly comfortable to use compared to normal 1/4" ratchets and bit drivers. So while I always have it in my bag as a multi-talented backup, it doesn't come out of the case all that often. I think part of the reason people are so hungry for a version with sockets is that the current iteration doesn't live up to its promise. First you have this really cool ratchet, but you have to also have sockets to take advantage of it, negating the value of the kit's compact form factor. Then you have an excellent selection of bits, except the ratchet isn't particularly ergonomic as a bit driver (except in its T-handle form, which loses the ratcheting function) which means their value is only fully realized when you happen to also have an electric screwdriver or drill on hand. Heck, even the extension bar - so cool and useful combined with the ratchet - doesn't have the proper notches to also be useful as an extension in, say, an impact driver. Aside from sockets, the one thing I really wish HF would do is release, either as a standalone or as part of maybe a larger kit, an ergonomic bit driver that can lock into the bottom of the ratchet. That for me would unlock a lot of the kit's potential.
In my opinion you missed the biggest win for the icon the pass thru design gives you finger access to the ratcheting mechanism to prevent cam out and provides enough resistance to easily over come the back drag. I have used that tool in some truly tight spots without it I don't know how you would remove the fasteners without significantly more dissembly. It a wonderful little ratchet set.
Hart design is completely different, the head, the cheesy bottle opener, it's hardly a fair comparison. I picked up the Icon set on a deal for $26. They do go on sale, but boy are they hard to find when on sale.
Btw, would love to see a similar comparison with other Icon copycats. I have the Wiha version, and while I still swear by Wiha impact bits, their mini ratchet and the case it came in should never have made it into production. Don't have the Craftsman V-Series kit, but I'm tempted.
I want you to do a comparison with the Craftsman v series model. Its alot more expensive at 99 dollars but this black friday deal put it at 39.99 and this set is about the same size as the hart but way better quality and has a line of 1/4 shallow sockets to go with it.
I wish the Icon extension bar had a magnet in it because bits just fall out of it. The Icon has been a decent enough tool a the close quarters ability is great.
Icon is the EDC king, nothing comes close at $40. But that hart set does have its place. I would pick one up for $20. Leave it in my range bag, so the i can have something to work on my optics and accessories.
If the Icon is King, the Craftsman V-series 1/4" set is the second-born son whose obviously way more qualified to rule but never had a chance. For the same price it manages to include a full socket set and a bit driver that's actually comfortable to hold. Don't get me wrong I love the icon set - I have two - but it only works for me as an EDC because I paired it with the little Makita 1/4" socket set.
@CookieMonstahEsq I thought that V series set was $99 ... It is a nice set but too bulky for EDC. The icon set all though it doesn't have sockets it's compact for EDC. Just get some sockets. Another worthy mention is the kobalt set for $20. I bought that instead of the hart set. I'm keeping that one in my truck.
I went through two icon sets. both had ratching issues after a few weeks of use. don't think I would try a Heart unit. I would probably try for a Wiha or Vim
I have 5 of the icon sets. I use 1 of them almost daily at work. I've never had one issue. That ratchet head is on MANY different brands including vim and I've not heard of anyone having consistent issues.
I found this info: HART LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY For years customers have relied on HART Hand Tools to perform on the jobsite. HART backs its innovative products with a limited lifetime warranty. WHAT IS COVERED HART offers a limited lifetime warranty to the original purchaser of hand tools for the duration of the product’s usable life against defects in material, manufacturing, and workmanship. This limited warranty is non-transferable and only applies to the original product obtained at the time of purchase. Warranties for other HART products may vary. WHAT IS NOT COVERED This warranty applies only to the original purchaser from an authorized retailer and may not be transferred to another party. Authorized retailers can be found at harttools.com. This warranty only covers defects in material, manufacturing, and workmanship. It does not cover any malfunction, failure, or defect resulting from misuse, abuse, neglect, alteration, modification, excessive exposure to the elements, normal wear and tear, or repair by other than an authorized party of One World Technologies (OWT), Inc. This limited lifetime warranty does not apply to any replacement product or product that was not originally obtained at the time of purchase. Examples of hammer misuse can include, but are not limited, to the following: - Striking other hardened objects such as other tools, hardened nails, drills, chisels, etc. - Pulling (attempting to withdraw) hardened nails, screws, or nail sets. - Filing nicks in claws or handle necks. - Causing dents in handle neck by over-striking. Nail hammers are only made to drive and withdraw standard common nails. Any other use is considered misuse and may cause eye or bodily injury. HOW TO OBTAIN SERVICE Subject to certain exceptions, HART will repair or replace (at HART’s discretion) any hand tool which, after examination, is determined by HART to be defective in material, manufacturing, or workmanship for the lifetime of the tool’s usable life. Return the hand tool in need of service to the address below, freight prepaid. Insurance is required. Hart Hand Tools Service Department 1428 Pearman Dairy Road Anderson SC 29622 A copy of the proof of purchase from an authorized retailer must be included with the shipment to confirm the product has not transferred to another party from the original purchaser. Maintain the original receipt for future reference. Also include your contact name, return address, and phone number. (Note: PO Boxes are not valid return addresses).
Sounds like no .. maybe a manager or employees are nice enough to do it though. Its cheap enough to just consider throw away status, use a couple times. Better value with the icon & how they will quickly replace stuff
You didn't mention where they were each made. Makes a difference to tool connoisseurs and collectors. Made in China or not might decide the decision on to buy or not to buy.
The lines are a bit blurry as far as the details for the ICON set. The box says, "Designed by ICON tools in the USA. Manufactured in Taiwan". The ICON set is the EXACT same thing as the Facom bit set and is rumored to be produced by Facom for ICON. Facom's parent company is Stanley Black and Decker. I don't know if the Facom was available before the ICON (I'm lead to believe that it was) but if the Facom was first, then the only thing "designed" in the USA would be the logos on the lid and the latch. As far as I can tell the HART bit set is manufactured in China.
What kind of tool sets would you like to see compared?
At Walmart the Hart stuff. Majority of the new stuff is made in either Vietnam or South Korea. How do they stack up compared to made in Taiwan?
I can't wait for the icon set to come out with sockets. I've had the current icon set since then came out. It's been great
Used Icon for a heater core without removing dash only glove boxes on my 2017 nissan frontier if it wasnt for this thing I wouldn't been able to squeeze in there.
Glad you highlighted the Icon's case design - I honestly think it's as responsible for the kit's success as any of the tools inside it. Sure, the ratchet has some nifty tricks that have saved my bacon a few times, but it's not particularly comfortable to use compared to normal 1/4" ratchets and bit drivers. So while I always have it in my bag as a multi-talented backup, it doesn't come out of the case all that often.
I think part of the reason people are so hungry for a version with sockets is that the current iteration doesn't live up to its promise. First you have this really cool ratchet, but you have to also have sockets to take advantage of it, negating the value of the kit's compact form factor. Then you have an excellent selection of bits, except the ratchet isn't particularly ergonomic as a bit driver (except in its T-handle form, which loses the ratcheting function) which means their value is only fully realized when you happen to also have an electric screwdriver or drill on hand. Heck, even the extension bar - so cool and useful combined with the ratchet - doesn't have the proper notches to also be useful as an extension in, say, an impact driver. Aside from sockets, the one thing I really wish HF would do is release, either as a standalone or as part of maybe a larger kit, an ergonomic bit driver that can lock into the bottom of the ratchet. That for me would unlock a lot of the kit's potential.
In my opinion you missed the biggest win for the icon the pass thru design gives you finger access to the ratcheting mechanism to prevent cam out and provides enough resistance to easily over come the back drag. I have used that tool in some truly tight spots without it I don't know how you would remove the fasteners without significantly more dissembly. It a wonderful little ratchet set.
I know exactly what you mean by that. I haven’t gotten it into any tight situations yet but I can absolutely see that coming in handy.
Ive had the HF set for about 6 months now and i use it all the time. To make it a better set they should throw a 10mm socket in there
Hart design is completely different, the head, the cheesy bottle opener, it's hardly a fair comparison. I picked up the Icon set on a deal for $26. They do go on sale, but boy are they hard to find when on sale.
Btw, would love to see a similar comparison with other Icon copycats. I have the Wiha version, and while I still swear by Wiha impact bits, their mini ratchet and the case it came in should never have made it into production. Don't have the Craftsman V-Series kit, but I'm tempted.
I was looking for the Craftsman V series the other day but I couldn’t find it locally.
I was skeptical about the 40 dollar price tag on the icon BUT i use it all the time.
They have coupons pretty often though, should be able to get around $30
Waiting for icon new kit with sockets this thing is a beast I even like it better then the one Matco has
Have you seen the Vaco set on Amazon?
Just checked it out. That's nice!
I want you to do a comparison with the Craftsman v series model. Its alot more expensive at 99 dollars but this black friday deal put it at 39.99 and this set is about the same size as the hart but way better quality and has a line of 1/4 shallow sockets to go with it.
Lowes has been selling these V-Series sets for $39 for a month now. FACOM designed the high-quality 1/4 drive set in France.
I wish the Icon extension bar had a magnet in it because bits just fall out of it. The Icon has been a decent enough tool a the close quarters ability is great.
It does or at least mine does bro
It does 😅
Gotcha buy two sets of both 💰
i have both those, the Hart Rachet had a messed up flex part of the head.. Icon on sell is 4 bucks more.. totally the winner
One problem with HF rubbery coating on the plastic case - it seems to get sticky over time!
That’s the worst! I wonder if they’d warranty it out for something like that.
Wipe it down with some IPA. Should do for now.
Icon is the EDC king, nothing comes close at $40. But that hart set does have its place. I would pick one up for $20. Leave it in my range bag, so the i can have something to work on my optics and accessories.
If the Icon is King, the Craftsman V-series 1/4" set is the second-born son whose obviously way more qualified to rule but never had a chance. For the same price it manages to include a full socket set and a bit driver that's actually comfortable to hold. Don't get me wrong I love the icon set - I have two - but it only works for me as an EDC because I paired it with the little Makita 1/4" socket set.
@CookieMonstahEsq I thought that V series set was $99 ... It is a nice set but too bulky for EDC. The icon set all though it doesn't have sockets it's compact for EDC. Just get some sockets. Another worthy mention is the kobalt set for $20. I bought that instead of the hart set. I'm keeping that one in my truck.
I think there are lower profile sets available
I went through two icon sets. both had ratching issues after a few weeks of use. don't think I would try a Heart unit. I would probably try for a Wiha or Vim
I saw that Wiha set online. Looks pretty nice and I’m thinking about picking one up.
I have the WIHA. The magnet fell out within 1 month. Had to super glue the sucker back. It's ok now.
I have 5 of the icon sets. I use 1 of them almost daily at work. I've never had one issue. That ratchet head is on MANY different brands including vim and I've not heard of anyone having consistent issues.
What happens when it breaks? Can you walk into walmart and get a replacement?
I found this info:
HART LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
For years customers have relied on HART Hand Tools to perform on the jobsite. HART backs its
innovative products with a limited lifetime warranty.
WHAT IS COVERED
HART offers a limited lifetime warranty to the original purchaser of hand tools for the duration of the
product’s usable life against defects in material, manufacturing, and workmanship. This limited warranty
is non-transferable and only applies to the original product obtained at the time of purchase. Warranties
for other HART products may vary.
WHAT IS NOT COVERED
This warranty applies only to the original purchaser from an authorized retailer and may not be
transferred to another party. Authorized retailers can be found at harttools.com. This warranty only
covers defects in material, manufacturing, and workmanship. It does not cover any malfunction, failure,
or defect resulting from misuse, abuse, neglect, alteration, modification, excessive exposure to the
elements, normal wear and tear, or repair by other than an authorized party of One World Technologies
(OWT), Inc. This limited lifetime warranty does not apply to any replacement product or product that
was not originally obtained at the time of purchase.
Examples of hammer misuse can include, but are not limited, to the following:
- Striking other hardened objects such as other tools, hardened nails, drills, chisels, etc.
- Pulling (attempting to withdraw) hardened nails, screws, or nail sets.
- Filing nicks in claws or handle necks.
- Causing dents in handle neck by over-striking.
Nail hammers are only made to drive and withdraw standard common nails. Any other use is
considered misuse and may cause eye or bodily injury.
HOW TO OBTAIN SERVICE
Subject to certain exceptions, HART will repair or replace (at HART’s discretion) any hand tool which,
after examination, is determined by HART to be defective in material, manufacturing, or workmanship
for the lifetime of the tool’s usable life. Return the hand tool in need of service to the address below,
freight prepaid. Insurance is required.
Hart Hand Tools Service Department
1428 Pearman Dairy Road
Anderson SC 29622
A copy of the proof of purchase from an authorized retailer must be included with the shipment to
confirm the product has not transferred to another party from the original purchaser. Maintain the
original receipt for future reference. Also include your contact name, return address, and phone
number. (Note: PO Boxes are not valid return addresses).
Sounds like no .. maybe a manager or employees are nice enough to do it though. Its cheap enough to just consider throw away status, use a couple times.
Better value with the icon & how they will quickly replace stuff
You didn't mention where they were each made. Makes a difference to tool connoisseurs and collectors. Made in China or not might decide the decision on to buy or not to buy.
The lines are a bit blurry as far as the details for the ICON set. The box says, "Designed by ICON tools in the USA. Manufactured in Taiwan". The ICON set is the EXACT same thing as the Facom bit set and is rumored to be produced by Facom for ICON. Facom's parent company is Stanley Black and Decker. I don't know if the Facom was available before the ICON (I'm lead to believe that it was) but if the Facom was first, then the only thing "designed" in the USA would be the logos on the lid and the latch. As far as I can tell the HART bit set is manufactured in China.
Both 👍 up id buy both one point I had icon yes now see hart one could definitely see owning both fun muiti tool collection 🎉
The retention clip for bits is a failure point on the icon, already warrantied one....Facom makes the icon. It's a really good ratchet
The icon is the same as a USAG the is sold in Europe and sold on Graitors garage at twice the HF price
I gladly paid $39.99 + tax. Not looking back on my decision for the Icon
hart extension looks to be a pressed 2 piece, whereas the icon is a 1piece extension.
Craftsman V-series (FACOM) Sets