VIM vs ICON 1/4" Flex Mini Ratchet

[@TylerSnyder305]

Both are made by HI-FIVE in Taiwan. Same goes for the MAC, FACOM, USAG, TOPTUL, WURTH, RUJOI, and many bike tool companies as well as GM powertorque for the non flex head variants. I'd much rather have the ICON because it's shorter, but but bought the VIM when they introduced it long before ICON introduced theirs. The VIM was the only affordable game in town when I bought it, the FACOM USAG and TOPTUL sets are about $75 minimum when you can find them and often go for as much as $90. The only reason one might not want the ICON set is that it doesn't come with sockets like those foreign companies variants of the set. I got tired of the length on my Vim so I eventually cut the end off and put it on a little handle from a Mayhew pick because I was expecting to be able to get the ICON, but it still has yet to ever be available near me.

[@projectpinehills]

Thank you for the background on HI-FIVE. I find the mini ratchet to be really handy. 👍

[@JoseFerreira-zb7wh]

I hope KS Tools is part of that lot too...

[@TylerSnyder305]

@@JoseFerreira-zb7wh yes they rebrand them as well.

[@JoseFerreira-zb7wh]

@@TylerSnyder305 nice. Thank you

[@k1_w3]

Thanks for comparing these two. This is exactly the video I was looking for. 👍

[@projectpinehills]

Thank you and thanks for watching! 👍

[@iowafox2206]

I've got the ICON one at work and absolutely love it. Not a everyday user but when breaking into electric motors and other machines it's real handy. Definitely a good tool set.

[@projectpinehills]

Thanks for sharing.

[@RobertSantos-sh9vm]

ICON definitely a great value for the money! Thanks for the comparison!

[@projectpinehills]

Thanks for watching!

[@actionjksn]

The extra length on the Vim ratchet is not an advantage. Because there is an extension you can add to the icon for more leverage. The shorter ratchet will fit into tighter spots when needed. The other advantage to the icon kit is that you can walk into a harbor freight and get a warranty replacement if anything happens, assuming you live somewhat near a Harbor Freight which many of us do now. I'm pretty sure both of these ratchets are made in the same factory in Taiwan. The Vim would be a good companion piece with the Icon if putting together a kit of small tools. I'm not going to bother and I'm pretty happy with my Icon. I do keep it with a Klein tools version that has a bunch of precision bits with a similar size box and the same type of latch. I'm going to buy a socket rail of quarter inch drive sockets to go with it. I thought the ratchet mechanism was a little bit stiff but I was able to make it a lot better. I put a 1/4 in hex bit in the ratchet and put my impact driver on the other side and spun in in both directions several times at high speed and that basically put several years worth of wear on it and made it feel a lot better. If you try that you want to start slow and then go full speed. It did get a little warm but not hot. I don't care if it shortened the life of it a little bit, the ratchet works a lot better now.

[@djchupa69]

Icon , bits and that case is solid

[@projectpinehills]

Agreed. Thanks for watching!

[@jwellsnowboard]

Exactly the video I was looking for!! Very thorough!!

[@projectpinehills]

Thanks, appreciate that and thanks for watching!

[@thewatcher7211]

Me too! 👍🏽

[@Gadget0343]

Very nice mini ratchet. I have both. VIM said they hold the patent on that wrench and they private label for other companies on many things, but another time they very specifically said they do not PL tools for HF. So, that has me wondering.

[@projectpinehills]

Good point. I personally found that the shorter handle on the Icon has helped me out in confined spaces. Thanks for watching!

[@michaelschlarman7835]

These are all made in the same factory but the VIM kit that comes with like 89 pieces while very expensive compared to the icon come with some very useful low profile bit sockets up to 10mm that have made my life much easier in the past. Of course comes with way more bits compared to the icon too. It’s also over $100 and idk if it’s worth it for any DIYer

[@projectpinehills]

Thanks for the info!

[@57_International]

The ratchet is the same but the bits are not. VIM bits are much better than the cheap bits from harbor freight. They may be made in Taiwan but quality is everything.

[@michaelschlarman7835]

@@57_International oh yeah I agree, the ratchet is what I was referring to and not the bits. VIM bits are professional grade.

[@sammiches6859]

You could get a decent set of PB Swiss bits with the Icon wrench.

[@johnbailey9682]

I just like the one that gets the job done .

[@projectpinehills]

Yup 👍 Thanks for watching?

[@fredh54]

I bought the ICON while it was on sale ($32) solely for the ratchet. I have a decent set of bits already. I'm pleased with the quality.

[@projectpinehills]

Thanks for the feedback. I’m happy with the ratchet too!

[@gonadiator]

I have both. The icon fits in an altoid tin along with shallow sockets and bits. I try to use the icon more since i can warranty it but the vim feels nicer

[@projectpinehills]

Yeah, I’ve had no issues with the shorter handle of the Icon because I typically don’t need to apply a lot of torque with a mini ratchet. 👍

[@FotoTravis]

@@projectpinehills The extension will fit in the handle of the Icon and will make it even longer. I'm sure it will with the VIM also.

[@projectpinehills]

Yes, that’s right. 👍

[@michaellindsay8934]

I have the Icon set and love it the longer handle would not be an improvement for me having everything you need in a small robust case is the answer With Vim you have to put it in a bag with some sort of bit holder that would look unprofessional

[@projectpinehills]

The ICON case is nice. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@Propheciez]

Would love to have the VIM due to its length. But went with Icon for lifetime warranty. Better value.

[@projectpinehills]

Hard to beat the Icon for the money. 👍 Thanks for watching!

[@DownHillgamer]

Just had to bring my icon to work to save my co worker that was in a super tight spot under some heads on a big block and having to use a little hex key by hand to back this bolt out cause our hex sockets were way to long but he only had one left when we left yesterday and i was like damn do i got somthing for you in the morning haha a little late but came in handy.

[@projectpinehills]

Good of you to help out. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@Enlowra]

All the machinists watching this video be like "same factory, different names". In all seriousness the ICON kit is GREAT for a person looking for an addition to their motorcycle tool kit

[@projectpinehills]

It’s a great kit. The handle fits into tight spaces. Thanks for watching!

[@hickstylez]

I just started at a motorcycle shop and the main mechanic has the VIM so i googled for a "cheap" one and yeah couldn't find anything cheap so I bought the same kit he got 89 peice with the small non ratcheting driver that after hours of research found out it is or was the lowest profile ratchet out there... But I ended up also finding this "ezred" double flex head I'm curious to compare it's profile with the VIM one... the vim set was 117 with tax and the ezred was 34 with tax.. I also found an ARES ball end bit set 39 pieces ALL ball end torx/hex for 27.99 I bought the ares set because I notice that the stubby VIM SET CAN BE TOO SHORT were you need the "standard bit length with the low profile ratchet anyone yeah and I thought working on bikes was going to be easier than cars... it is and it isn't definently makes me laugh when I used to think there were "tight fits" in cars seems like bikes have much tighter fits had to use the VIM set about 6 or 7 times in 2 weeks

[@thatrealba]

I have the GearWrench version that is 12 inches long. Picked it up in Amazon for $22.

[@projectpinehills]

I’m going to check it out. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@egbluesuede1220]

Great vid. I own the Icon set and was looking at getting another one just for the ratchet for an EDC tool bag. Basically same tool, but for an extra $7 I can get the whole Icon set with bits if I sacrifice a little length off the tool. That said, I just want the ratchet and I'd love to see what VIM has to offer.

[@projectpinehills]

Thank You! That was the same thought process I had. Sometimes the VIM ratchet goes on sales. Thanks commenting and watching! 👍

[@michaellindsay8934]

Why would anyone buy Vim at that price when the Icon comes with bits

[@projectpinehills]

Personal preference. The VIM price is lower now. But the icon kit is hard to beat. 👍

[@michaelschlarman7835]

VIM also sells a kit with the flex head ratchet but it’s much bigger (89 bits I believe). It comes with some super low profile sockets with a 1/4” bit shank that are super useful in tight areas. The icon is much more affordable, I own both, and a DIYer the icon is all you need. The VIM kit however is impressive

[@TylerSnyder305]

Because I can actually get the Vim variant, while the ICON has never been in stock near me.

[@robertcasey3528]

Because VIM products are equal to Snap On in quality.

[@beyer66]

Also maybe because most techs already have 7 sets of bits that came with every other bit driver tool they bought

[@upsidedowndog1256]

I have the Icon but will get the VIM when I can, too.

[@projectpinehills]

Yeah, I didn’t plan on it, but I ended up with both. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@Free_entertainment401]

I just bought the Vim tool min bits and order Vim min ratchet. But icon have good deal going on so I might pick that up too

[@projectpinehills]

I’ll have to check out the bits. Thanks for watching!

[@csimet]

I like my VIM RFB400K, but did you know they make a stubby version... NR400K? Handy little ratchet, but VIM made a blunder by making that handle not work as a t-ratchet. It comes with the same extension, but lacks the extra ability in the head. VIM... are you listening? ;)

[@projectpinehills]

I didn’t know that. Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching!

[@3vil3lvis]

I have both of these, the victorinox and topeak bit ratchets too. The Icon is the best value because of the lifetime warranty and the case is so well designed.

[@projectpinehills]

I have both, but agree the icon is the best value, good bit loadout too.

[@RandysWSG]

Great video!

[@projectpinehills]

Thanks for the visit

[@midatlantictools]

I know the VIM is a life time warranty is the ICON life time? I would say they both are made by the same manufacture. Good video..

[@projectpinehills]

Yes lifetime warranty. Thanks and thanks for watching!

[@midatlantictools]

@@projectpinehills thanks thats good to know

[@ben10mama]

Id bet they are made in the same factory. With everything so identical it would be way to much of a coincidence otherwise. Also don't forget you can use the extension in the bottom for more leverage. I like vim tools but this one i think icon wins. The whole bit set and case for the same price is hard to beat. The vim is a little longer but this isn't a high torque tool anyhow in my opinion

[@projectpinehills]

I agree. Thanks for the feedback and thanks for watching! 👍

[@rtz549]

When looking at the same tools; it's all about the warranty.

[@projectpinehills]

Well then, Icon it is. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@lowasteam5319]

Been building an EDC bag for my 19yr old daughter to have handy. Just picked up 2 of the icon sets at harbor freight today (I needed one too lol). If I had my pick of just the ratchet I’d get the VIM but even though they aren’t great getting the case and bits for $3 more sealed the deal on Icon for me.

[@projectpinehills]

👍 good deal. Perfect for your daughter. Thanks for commenting!

[@batch8144]

Now $25 ICON!😊

[@projectpinehills]

Nice 👍

[@drsnowmon]

I have the ICON and the Tone mini ratchet; the difference is that the ICON version has much more back drag. I much prefer the Japanese quality

[@projectpinehills]

Never heard of it and I do not see it online. Where did you get it?

[@drsnowmon]

@@projectpinehills model name is 'Tone BRFS27'

[@projectpinehills]

Thanks!

[@calebbyler4360]

They both come out of the same factory

[@projectpinehills]

It looks that way. I do like the longer handle on the VIM. Thanks for watching!

[@Zeeangelofdeath]

But the icon is more compact because it’s not as long

[@ToolTalkChannel]

Great comparison!.. I’ll have to find out who sold my buddies, but his has a red dot to indicate where the extension fit. Any thoughts?

[@projectpinehills]

I don’t know, is it identical otherwise?

[@scottaddison8071]

I Like the MAC Tools 123pc bit set much better

[@projectpinehills]

That is a nice set. Whole different price and won’t fit where this mini ratchet will though. Thanks for watching!

[@najipo]

Similar to TONE brand from japan.

[@projectpinehills]

Thanks, I’ll have to look them up. Thanks for watching!

[@cacydeleon]

Does the leatherman bits fits on the non ratchet side of vim?

[@projectpinehills]

I do not know, maybe someone else can reply?

[@patrickbledsoe2176]

i bought the Hart rachet bit set at walmart... not impressed wished id got the icon f9r $10 more

[@projectpinehills]

Thanks for the feedback and thanks for watching!

[@djtecthreat]

What Vanquest is that?

[@projectpinehills]

You can see it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpipg4CBft6ffrssi=7EFTCODIBgu4DEm1

[@Blazini1980]

Off topic here but how is that power strip mounted? Did you add more screws to secure it?

[@projectpinehills]

Mounted with screws. Thx!

[@Blazini1980]

@@projectpinehills ok. Because i just got a 4 ft strip and it only has mounting points at the ends

[@danielruprecht8932]

Looks like the same factory

[@projectpinehills]

Yeah it does. Thx for watching! 👍

[@AMERICANPRIDE1100]

The icon is perfect the extra length is useless

[@projectpinehills]

Thanks for commenting! 👍

[@davidwilliamson3809]

I wouldn’t say useless. More torque with longer handle

[@AMERICANPRIDE1100]

@@davidwilliamson3809 you can easily add an extension to the bottom that allows it to fit in my large leather man pouch

[@michaellindsay8934]

Why would anyone buy Vim at that price when the Icon comes with bits