Want the lowest entry price with an edge guide and case in the box: get the Bosch GKF125CEK Colt 1.25 HP variable-speed palm router kit. Want slower minimum speed plus lighter weight and 3/8-inch collet capacity: get the Makita RT0701C 1-1/4 HP compact router. Both are corded 120V compact routers rated at 1-1/4 HP max with a 1/4-inch collet in the box, but the Bosch kit was $149.00 and the Makita base was $159.00 in the observed This-item rows on 09/16/2026, both In Stock and shipped from and sold by Amazon.com — a $10.00 gap that buys a carrying case and edge guide on one side or lower-speed range and lighter weight on the other. This reading comes from the observed variant and maker/manual pages, not a physical test.
Side-by-side on the exact variants observed
| Observed criterion | Bosch GKF125CEK kit | Makita RT0701C base |
|---|---|---|
| Exact variant | Bosch Colt 1.25 HP (Max) Variable-Speed Palm Router Kit GKF125CEK with PR101 fixed base, PR102 straight-edge guide and carrying case; Amazon US ASIN B01AX4A9WQ | Makita 1-1/4 HP Compact Router RT0701C, fixed base with 1/4-inch collet, straight guide and wrenches; Amazon US ASIN B00E7D3V4S |
| Power | 7 Amp, 120V, 1.25 HP max per the official technical data | 6.5 Amp, 120V, 1-1/4 HP max per the official specifications |
| Speed range | Variable-speed dial 16,000 to 35,000 RPM with soft-start circuitry and Constant Response circuitry to maintain speed under load | Variable-speed dial 10,000 to 30,000 RPM with soft start and electronic/constant speed control to maintain speed under load |
| Collet | 1/4-inch collet capacity; 1/4-inch self-releasing collet chuck in the kit; base opening 1-9/16 inch and bit capacity to 1-5/16 inch wide | Collet chuck capacity 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch; 1/4-inch collet in the box; uses 1/4-inch shank bits per the feature list |
| Depth system | PR101 fixed base with macro- and micro-fine depth adjustment, centerable round subbase and depth scales; fixed-base depth range 1-3/16 inch; straight-edge guide reaches to 3-5/8 inch from the edge | Smooth rack-and-pinion fine depth adjustment with easy-to-read depth scales, quick-release cam lock for depth changes and base removal; manual limits groove depth to 3 mm (1/8 inch) per pass with multiple passes for deeper grooves |
| Weight and handling | 4.25 lb per the official technical data; rugged 360-degree aluminum base housing, LED lighting for the bit area, contoured grip area and finger support pockets | 3.9 lbs (1.8 kg) net weight with 7-7/8-inch overall length; slim ergonomic body, flat-top design for bit changes, shaft lock, on/off rocker switch and high-visibility base design |
| What is in the box | GKF125CE router motor, PR101 fixed base, PR102 straight-edge guide, 1/4-inch self-releasing collet chuck, collet chuck wrench and hard-plastic carrying case | Trimmer base, 1/4-inch collet, straight guide and two spanner wrenches; additional bases sold separately and industry-standard template guides accepted |
| Variant-page signal 09/16/2026 | 4.7 stars across 563 ratings with 100+ bought in the past month; This-item row at $149.00, delivery as soon as Saturday, Sep 19, In Stock, ships from and sold by Amazon.com | 4.7 stars across 3,929 ratings with 100+ bought in the past month; This-item row at $159.00, delivery as soon as Saturday, Sep 19, In Stock, ships from and sold by Amazon.com |
Bosch GKF125CEK: the kit pick with top speed and guide
The Bosch GKF125CEK kit suits buyers who want everything in one purchase: the box holds the router, fixed base, straight-edge guide, collet, wrench and case, so edge-guided work up to 3-5/8 inch from the edge needs no extra accessory order. The mechanism differences that matter are the 35,000 RPM top speed with Constant Response feedback, the macro/micro depth system with centerable subbase, and LED lighting over the bit area — attribute, mechanism and consequence in one chain: a wider speed dial lets the user match bit speed to the task instead of running every profile at one speed, the fine-adjustment base makes small depth corrections repeatable, and the light plus translucent subbase keeps the cut line visible. The manual adds the care rules that change ownership: disconnect the plug before adjustments or accessory changes, keep the collet nut and adjustment devices securely tightened, never tighten the collet without a bit, and follow bit-diameter and feed-direction guidance. Its limits are weight, collet range and bit-size discipline: 4.25 lb against 3.9 lb, 1/4-inch capacity only against a 3/8-inch option on the other side, and large bits still demand reduced speed and light passes rather than full-depth cuts.
Makita RT0701C: the low-speed pick with lighter weight
The Makita RT0701C base suits buyers who work with larger profiles or want the lightest trimmer: the 10,000 RPM minimum runs 6,000 RPM slower than the Bosch minimum for better control with bigger bits, the 3.9 lb body is 0.35 lb lighter for overhead or one-handed edge work, and the 3/8-inch collet capacity keeps a second shank option open even though the included collet is 1/4-inch. The rack-and-pinion fine adjustment with depth scales plus the quick-release cam lock is a different depth mechanism with the same consequence — repeatable settings and fast base removal — while the flat-top design, shaft lock and high-visibility base simplify bit changes at the bench. The manual is explicit where it changes the cut plan: grooves deeper than 3 mm (1/8 inch) need several progressively deeper passes, the bit must go fully into the collet cone with the provided wrenches, and the collet nut must never be tightened without a bit. Its limits are kit contents and top speed: no carrying case in the observed box against a cased kit on the other side, no edge-guide reach stated like the Bosch 3-5/8 inch figure, and a 30,000 RPM ceiling that trails the Bosch by 5,000 RPM for very small bits.
Where to check the exact variants
Compare the Bosch GKF125CEK Colt palm router kit with edge guide and case (This-item row, $149.00, In Stock, ships from and sold by Amazon.com, observed 09/16/2026) against the Makita RT0701C compact router base with straight guide (This-item row, $159.00, In Stock, ships from and sold by Amazon.com, observed 09/16/2026). Same 1-1/4 HP compact-router job, different answer: pick the Bosch when a complete guided kit, 35,000 RPM top speed and in-box case matter most, and pick the Makita when a 10,000 RPM minimum, 3.9 lb weight and 3/8-inch collet capacity matter most. Lifecycle note: the Makita Canada page template links a general Discontinued Tools archive elsewhere on the site, but the RT0701C variant page itself carries current specifications and the observed This-item offer was In Stock, so no discontinuation of this exact variant is evidenced. Warranty terms were not captured in the observed maker text on either side, so confirm coverage before purchase if warranty length decides for you. Prices, stock and sellers move, so confirm the live price, the B01AX4A9WQ or B00E7D3V4S variant string and the delivery promise on each exact-variant page before buying.
Sources and further reading
- Bosch GKF125CEK Colt palm router kit — Amazon US variant page
- Makita RT0701C compact router — Amazon US variant page
- Bosch GKF125CEK Colt palm router kit — official product page
- Bosch GKF125CE operating/safety instructions (official manual)
- Makita RT0701C compact router — official Makita Canada page (same variant)
- Makita RT0700C/RT0701C instruction manual (official)