I've found this tool to be a dependable workhorse in the class of work it was designed for. I've used it on jobs that involved hundreds of concrete drill holes, typically 1/4". I've had it in use for 90 days and it's a keeper.
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br /I bought it because Bosch makes excellent rotary and demo hammers. It's the only Bosch tool I own. My equipment includes Milwaukee, Dewalt, Makita, etc.
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br /12/29/07 My experience with the 1199 continues to be 100% positive. We put this type of tool to heavy duty use, drilling concrete and block. The tool sometimes undergoes multiple hours of run time in a single day. The 8.5 amp motor stays cool under work load and has never exhibited any indication of significant strain. Letting the tool do the work is critical.
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br /Sizing the tool to the job and using it correctly are essential when working in a business environment. My reason for selecting this hammer drill was the power weight balance. It's a two hand drill that comes in at 6 lbs. and offers high and low torque capability. Any frequent work above ½" in concrete essentially requires a rotary hammer which is typically a heavier tool.
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br /Previous reviews noted issues with "wobbling" chuck(s) and electrical failures. Electrical problems typically become evident quickly and I'm confident Bosch's unconditional warranty holds merit. The chuck issue can quickly be addressed as the drill comes out of the box, brand new. If it runs true with a bit attached at max speed, no load, then the chuck is fine. The hammer action of this drill is serious business and should not be construed as a chuck fault.
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br /I'm not particularly brand loyal across the board. I believe most contractor grade tool manufacturers have particular products that prove themselves superior on the job. I've since added another Bosch tool to my equipment, based primarily on it's reputation and my experience with this tool.
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I bought this upgrade after I burned my Ryobi up. The job that killed the Ryobi consisted of twelve 9/16" holes into 1/2" thick steel and twelve 1/2" holes into concrete at a depth of 2 3/4", however, I was seeing blue sparks even before this job. After very slow progress on the first 9 steel holes and first two concrete holes the Ryobi quit. It had had seen some medium and light duty before that. It really struggled cutting through ceiling and floor joists with self propelled auger bits.
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br /I brought in the Bosch to finish the job and it was strong and smooth. What a time saver too! It was surprisingly powerful on the high speed setting. It cut the steel and concrete both like butter one either the high speed or high torque settings. I took it around back after the job and tried some self propelled auger bits that the Ryobi had struggled with. The Bosch chomped right through the 3+ inches width of a pressure treated 2X4 without a problem on both high and low speed settings with 1" and 3/4" auger bits. There is no wobble in the chuck. It's a fine machine and it compares well to Milwaukees I have used in the past. It has also seen the worst I can give it.
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br /Some finer details about the drill:
br /- It will take some getting used to pulling the key from the detachable holder and putting it back. I'm used to just grabbing the cord where the key is and going to work.
br /- Read the case and make sure you have it upright before opening it.
br /- The case is nice. Although it seems compact it has room for a box of bits and plenty of loose ones.
br /- Extra long cord is nice too.
br /- Depth gauge is reliable and sturdy (better than others I have seen.)
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br /Update 1/08: I've used the drill for a few more jobs including some electrical work and some concrete with Tapcons. She is still running strong and smooth, and it's really a pleasure to use. I forgot to mention that it comes with an anti-kickback feature. Someone was helping with the Tapcons, and I saw them twist the bit pretty badly. The chuck stopped cold without even so much as a jerk. That's a nice safety feature to have on a beast like this.

I'm not going to knock on Bosch for this drill as I own several of their power tools. I've had the 1199 for about 2 months and after about a total of 9 hours of use the motor finally burnt out while drilling with one of Bosch's 3/4" blue granite bits. It's the drill's max rated size for concrete. I've only used the 1199 for concrete and this is the largest bit I've fitted to it while drilling through my driveway which is about 5 inches thick. After continuous use for 3 hours straight the motor finally gave out, but never showed any symptoms of straining. The 3/4" bit was used only for about 1/2 hour total. So tonight I'm heading to Lowes for a return or possibly an exchange.
br /I've considered the Ridgid Pulse hammer drill (very similar)when I chose the Bosch model. I'm having second thoughts about the Bosch now. I'm not dissapointed with the 1199, just concerned about it's durabilty.
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br /11/22/2004 - I ended up exchanging it for another and problems again! After about 4 hours of continuous use, the drill started stalling and losing power even before the anti-kickback clutch engaged. I let it cool off for about 40 minutes and the power resumed to normal. This had to be done several times and this 2nd drill just wasn't reliable enough for me to keep again. So it was returned for good. I ended up buying a Hilti TE 6-C rotary hammer. It's 2 and a half times the price, but I'd rather not deal with the frustration with an unreliable piece of equipment. The Hilti allowed me to finish the job much sooner drilling in identical conditions the Bosch was subjected to. But then I can't expect too much from the Bosch unit because the Hilti was designed for daily heavy industrial use. -Guess I was expecting too much from the 1199 as these two units are in totally different tool classes.

I just recently purchased this drill and so far am very happy with the ease that it powers through everything I throw at it. Luckily, I haven't noticed any chuck wobble as described by another reviewer. The drill is very comfortable in the hand and the side handle provides a very nice grip. The depth stop is easily adjusted and holds it depth even with repetive drilling.pThis is a bruiser of a drill and probably overkill for a DIYer like me. However, the ease of drilling through concrete block and pressure treated lumber provided by this drill is very nice.

i purchased this drill in december. after using it for a week i noticed that the chuck wobbles slightly. i returned it for a replacement. it also wobbles. if you use a long bit in it the wobble is significant. once the bit drills into your workpiece, the wobble transfers from the bit to the drill and your hands. i've e-mailed bosch twice about the problem without ever getting a competent reply. i'll get the milwakee.

I bought this drill to mix mortar for tile about a year ago. I have done about 6 small to medium sized tile jobs since then. It has only drilled about 8 small holes in concrete for anchors and besides that, some holes in 2x4's for running wires. Thing worked like a champ until now. After drilling one 3/8 hole in concrete, it made it about an inch down on the second one and just slowly ran out of speed and just stopped. (just like the other review posted) No noises pops or anything.....just a smell of warm electrical parts. Left me hanging with two holes left to drill! Big store tells me that it is in the manufactures hands now. The receipt is long gone...so I am sure that I am out of luck. Could be a design flaw or could be just a fluke. I have the Bosch sliding 12" and the Bosch table saw and I am very happy with them.

I just wanted to echo one of the earlier positive reviews and say that the integrated slip clutch is a great feature. It is not uncommon for bits to catch in masonry and when this happens you have a few possible results: a broken bit (stuck in the hole?), a bit that is spinning in the chuck, or a drill that spins into you. This slip clutch in this drill goes a long way to preventing all of that. I'm now a big fan of this feature and, regardless of brand, wouldn't buy a hammer drill without it.

I bought this drill to install a gate in a sidewalk. It drove (8) 3/8" wedge anchors 2" into my sidewalk with no trouble in well under an hour. It was "reconditioned" so I was a little concerned but it perfomed like a marvel for the price. I am not a pro but I expect this drill would handle this type of job every day for some time.

I was drilling 3/4" dia holes 2 inches deep in concrete to install a pool cover when the drill just died. First thought my extension cord was unplugged.
br /I have 14 of the 22 hoes complete and had to shut down.
br /I had drilled about ten 3/8" dia by 3" deep holes about two months ago.
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br /In addition, the chuck kept loosening on me.
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br /My first Bosch tool and my last.

Looking for a replacement for my Bosch drill that just died, I ran across this 1199VSRK unit here and must note that the Bosch predecessor to this drill (the 1194VSR) just experienced the same "death by use" problem. Drilled maybe 10 holes with it, when all of a sudden it lost variable speed control and would only run full tilt. I changed to a smaller bit, as it was running too fast for the larger one and when I next pulled the trigger, the drill ran for about 0.2 seconds and is now dead.
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br /Maybe Bosch needs to go back to the electrical design lab and create a better variable speed control module!

I burned up this drill in less than 10 minutes on the first hole that I drilled. Drill got too hot to touch in less than 5 minutes. I was using a 1" bit in masonry. If you need a heavy duty drill, look elsewhere.