Thread: Cordless Drivers - Impact or Drill

Hi Guys and Gals,
This is my first post. I stumbled upon this forum while looking for comparisons between cordless drivers. I'm a self-taught verandah/deck builder and have been recommended to do a job for a friend's daughter so I wanna get serious about my tools.
I was 'kicking some tyres' at a tool shop and came across Festo. The sweetest spinning driver I've come across BUT no Li-Ion battery.
I have been drawn towards the Hitachi 18v 3amp Li-Ion models but these feel heavy. I'm not a small boy but weight when being used all day should be a valued consideration.
I did come across the Panasonic 14.4v 3amp Li-Ion models and really liked them. The brushless motors are a plus BUT are only 14.4v. The rep who also sold Hitachi said hands down that the Pana. is the next cordless driver he's buying and added that the Pana. 14.4v would perform with just as much power if not more than the Hitachi 18v because it was a direct drive brushless motor.
Also, because of the nature of the work I would be doing (verandahs, pergolas, deck, screens etc....) and after reading the Impact Driver vs Drill Driver comparison I am leaning towards the Impact models.

And what about the Multi-function models or should I buy the one I require most.

Please enlighten,
Dr - 307. (That's the name I go by on a wine forum so I thought I'd be consistent. Who knows, we might get an overlap).