Over on Instagram, someone pointed me to a post about new Sortimo L-Boxxes. Then, when posting about today’s “ordering Bosch cordless tools from Europe” discussion, I came across an updated Bosch cordless power tool kit that came bundled in one of the new L-Boxxes.
A quick Google search later, and we have an image of what the new Bosch version of the Sortimo L-Boxx will look like.
There are a number of differences in the design.
Bosch’s Germany product page says:
- Easy opening of stacked boxes and improved L-BOXX click mechanism for easy handling
- Full flexibility thanks to compatibility with all L-BOXX versions and tool inserts as well as the SORTIMO vehicle system
- Robust construction thanks to reliable L-BOXX material and improved locking straps
Currently, you can not open an L-Boxx when another L-Boxx is connected on top of it. This is because the bottom connection point is built into the base, and not the lid. With the new L-Boxxes, the connection point is built into the lid.
The lid? What about the added stress to the flimsy flexible plastic latches?! Bosch says that the new L-B0xxes will feature “improved locking straps.” Good.
And according to that second bullet point, the new L-Boxxes are fully compatible with previous L-Boxxes in every way.
These are both “L-Boxx 136” models – L-Boxx 2’s as sold here.
The new L-Boxx looks bigger, but the dimensional specs look identical – 442 mm long, 151 mm tall, 357 mm wide.
The side handles now look to be built-in, the connection release lever looks to be larger and easier to reach and press, the front handle looks substnatially larger, the top handle looks a little shorter, the latches look to be much beefier, and a locking loop looks to be in a better place.
Hmm, the new L-Boxx does look better, but I’m not letting myself get too excited just yet. I sometime load these up a lot. If you have a few in a stack, all that weight is going to add up and be exerted on the lid of the bottom unit.
But I haven’t had the latches of an L-Boxx fail yet – knock on wood – except for one L-Boxx 4 tool box that seems to have a defect. It failed in storage, and not in use while carrying a heavy stack of tools.
Going by early European and UK retailers’ product listings, the new L-Boxx might be priced substantially less than the current ones. One UK retailer has it for £23.57 including VAT, or ~$26.20 excluding VAT and converted to USD.