
Customer Rating
- VERSATILE
- PRECISION
- PRICE
PROS
- Easy to use
- Affordable
- Simplistic
CONS
- Single-speed motor
- Peculiar switch position
In order to avoid similar unpleasant scenarios, take a moment and check our review out. It will help you when it comes to comprehending the full potential of this particular model. Contrary to popular belief, this affordable piece of equipment is suitable both for devoted professionals and DIY enthusiasts. When it comes to versatility, the Porter Cable 690lr is among the best.
What is included?
This model comes with a standard set of included parts. Those are – 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch collets, a wrench, fixed base, motor, and the user manual. The unit might need some assembly, but it’s nothing you can’t solve in a matter of minutes. The easiest way to do it is to read the user manual and follow those few simple steps.
The Design
The hand grips are cushioned meaning the amount of vibrations is at a bare minimum. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any vibrations whatsoever, bear that in mind. Furthermore, the cam-lock lever allows you to make adjustments easily and without any tools. Many people don’t like wasting time on fine-tuning their units with other tools, and that’s why this cam-lock mechanism is appreciated by almost every DIY enthusiast as well as professionals.

Stability and comfort are at a satisfactory level. You cannot expect an impressive amount of stability and convenience due to the affordable price and a slight lack of some standard features, but it’s more than enough for DIY tasks and non-demanding projects.
The Features

What we liked about it
There are plenty of things to like when it comes to the 690lr model. The first thing we liked is the sheer simplicity of the design. We weren’t optimistic about it at first, but it proved us wrong. Contrary to popular belief, the complexity of the design doesn’t affect the overall functionality of the machine. In simpler words, it doesn’t mean the router is worthless if it features a simplistic design.
The other thing we liked a lot is the price. A lot of people are reluctant when it comes to buying power tools because they tend to be quite expensive. However, this one is budget-friendly and affordable. As far as we are concerned, it’s a worthy investment.
What we didn’t like
The single-speed motor isn’t the best possible solution, to say the least. Even though it’s functional and does the job well, we would like to see multi-speed motors in the future integrated into these affordable products. However, it won’t happen soon because those motors cost a lot.
No speed variations can also be considered a slight downside, but it’s nothing you can’t get used to. On the other hand, if you’re planning on tackling super-demanding projects, you might want to avoid single-speed motors.
Conclusion
This router is all about consistency and efficiency in tough situations. You can rest assured that it won’t let you down in the middle of a project and make you lose time, money, and most importantly – nerves. Adjusting is easy, and it doesn’t require any additional tools thanks to the cam-lock lever and auto-release collet system.