Customer Reviews
Hitachi NR90GR 
2008-01-27
I don't know what people's problems are but I'm fully satisfied with the purchase. I was on the fence which gun I should buy (I had had some experience with the Paslode framer and finisher), and I took a risk and bought the Hitachi. Then a friend of mine lent me the Paslode, and I compared both on identical pieces of wood and identical method of nailing (face, toe-nail). There is no difference at all! Both drive nails at the same depth. Probably, people don't use appropriate nails for the Hitachi, and they have problems with misfiring and the depth of driven nails. Make sure you use plastic collated for NR90GR or paper collated for the clipped head type as it is indicated in the manual (I used hitachi nails 3-1/4" long). It works perfect on Paslode fuel cell, so there is no need to look for Hitachi cells. The Hitachi has a few advantages over the Paslode.
1)The battery charges up much quicker and the mounting system seems to work better (I worked with the Paslode finish gun and there was perpetual problem with battery connection).
2)The ergonomics is uncomparable to the Paslode. The Hitachi seems to be made to your hand.
Looking at all these characteristics I don't see the need to buy a more expensive tool when a $100 cheaper one makes the same job and actually is better.
Paslode will lose it's grip on the cordless framing nailers 2007-12-04
I've used the Paslode cordless framing nailer before & this works the same as the Paslode. I was sceptical that it wouldn't live up to the "king" after reading the reviews, but I did lots of research on this product and just after 2 weekends of carpentry work, it works the same as the Paslode. The biggest difference is price. The Hitachi cost me about 60% of the Paslode's price from Lowe's and Home Depot. It takes the Paslode nails and red fuel cells, works the same, and slightly lighter weight. I strongly recommend it!
Bob
Works very well...just not for very long! 
2007-11-28
When it works, this tool is a jewel; powerful, easy to handle, and it drives a true round-head nail. It's just that it doesn't work very long. The original unit acquired via Amazon lasted for somewhere in the neighborhood of a hundred nails, and then died. The local Hitachi dealer's service department could not revive it, so it was replaced with a new tool. The replacement lasted somewhat longer (200 hundred nails, perhaps) before it too ceased to fire.
The problem seems to be a flaw in the triggering mechanism that shows up after relatively moderate use. The dealer's service shop tried to repair the tool, and it worked for a dozen nails or so and then quit again. The dealer has been trying to get Hitachi to once again replace the gun, but the Hitachi rep. has apparently been unrepsponsive. In any event, unless the flaw is fixed at the factory, simply getting a new gun is no solution.
If my experience is anything to go by, purchasers of this Hitachi tool may be doubly cursed, first by a poor product design, and thereafter by poor customer service. My suggestion is to buy something else(which it looks like I'm going to have to do).
Very, very disappointed 
2007-07-31
I had hoped this would be a great tool for small projects, but it turned out to be a great disappointment. I was able to drive 8 (eight) nails in standard 2x4x8 after which the tool stopped working.
With a fully charged battery I thought the fuel cell might have been from a bad stock, so I replaced it, but with the same result. Being optimistic, I bought a new set of Hitachi fuel cells, but that didn't change anything.
I have followed the procedures outlined in the Troubleshooting section of the Manual but the tool refuses to work.
I have been using power, and pneumatic tools for a long time, but this one got me :(
Probably Hitachi should revise their testing procedure, at least for this tool, to ensure its reliability.
I hope Amazon will accept a return for the nailer, but I ended up with a box of nails and two sets of fuel cells for a total of almost $100 lost money!!!
Pretty woman 2007-03-31
Purchase experience from Amazon - 4.
I have put five strips of Hitachi 3x.120 ring shank HDG nails through my new NR90GR. I liken the experience to a Pretty woman___who is celibate. It looks good, feels good but doesn't satisfy.
I was nailing standard pine 2x4's together and without fail every nail was left standing a half inch or more. I had to finish the task by hand. The depth was set to max penetration and I tried different new fuel sticks. I am in Miami so temp and elevation is not a factor.
I have left email with Hitachi support, still waiting a reply. If they offer meaning full help, I'll follow up this review.
Adapt 
2008-07-02
I've had this unit for 2 weeks now, doing some roof and wall framing. Granted, it doesn't bump fire like an air nailer, but that's not a requirement for me as I'm a methodical type, so an extra 10-seconds to nail off a row of studs is not an issue. The gun works well, is plenty powerful, the 3-1/2 inch ring shank limitation is known, so I work within its capabilities. I find you have to teach yourself the right amount of pressure it takes to enable firing, and I don't give it a second thought now. VERY pleased with the convenience of no hose and 40-lb compressor to lug upstairs.
Great Gun, lousy gas 2008-04-17
This gun gave me a lot of headaches...it would fire a few nails, then nothing. I would take out the gas canister, press it manually a few times, then reinsert it. The gun would shoot well for a while, then nothing again. I found that the problem was with the Hitachi brand gas. For some reason the gas metering valve would stick or clog, and not supply enough gas for each shot. The solution? Red canister Paslode gas. I so far have gone thorough 3 of them with no hiccups from full to empty canister. This thing is a great tool, no regrets as long as I use Paslode gas.
Doing the Hitachi name wrong 2008-04-04
I've been a framing contractor in Ca for over 18 years and I have never been dissappointed with Hitachi. It's notorious for great, dependable products. Not so with the NR90GR nailer. Terrible! The gun had been a bust right out of the box. It didn't even get through one strip of nails. It just won't shoot. If you have the skills and the timing of a jungle cat that's been trained by a ninja, you might get it to fire! I thought this was going to be a sweet little tool that could save me a lot of time on the job. I was wrong and as a consequence very dissappointed. I've replaced the gas rod multiple times, I've charged the battery, I've taken it to a tool repair twice, and it still doesn't work. I'm sticking to the hoses until Hitachi comes out with a new and improved model.
Perfect tool! 2008-02-23
This is my first nail gun ever.
I am not a "wood lover" (for building structure), and buildings I make are out of concrete, brick+mortar and steel. I am not a carpenter and I can not stand working with 2x4 what is actually 1.5x3.5" - but not precisely (it is sometimes 1 7/16" x 3 7/16" what makes me crazy). I have a machine shop and make high tech products, so miss-tolerances, I just simply cant tolerate.
Said all this, I was afraid what I am going to get from this gun, how I am going to perform with it, and is the idea of having a nail gun (opposite to regular hammer) really worth all the hassle, learning curve and other troubles on the way. Not to mention, hose-less, and some really negative comments about this product and the whole portable idea.
Not only that this gun is precise tool, but anybody can operate it. Perfectly balanced in your hand, no kick back (even with 16d nails) fast operation. Somebody who commented that this gun as a hard to press/engage is either really weak (my wife used it with no problem) or have malicious intentions towards Hitachi. Safety pressure is just enough to warn you and ask you for correct position.
For some people is not enough of nails in the gun (1.5 line max) but that is not an issue for me. Changing/feeding new ones is a snap.
As I said, it is really precise tool, didn't stop working not a single time, fired every nail perfectly where I wanted.
We framed a roof (what I never did before) in a snap. Big hook (collapsible) is square shaped - to fit over 2x4, is perfect helper to rest the gun on the truss. Not having the hose to pull you down on the top of OSB on the roof, HUGE advantage.
I have to say that the carrying case is perfectly organized, for 2 fuel cells, battery+ charger and some 7-8 rows of nails to carry around. Sturdy plastic case is worth the money alone!
My friend, who is wood worker for a living and told me about portable nail guns, helped us with the sheeting. He never had hose-less one before, million of "normal" ones, and was just impressed with this Hitachi.
He is getting one from me as a present, for the help, but even more for the favor he told me about them.
As always, Amazon had the best possible price, no shipping charge, and it came in the snap.
Better than the Pasload,Great nailer for what it is 2008-01-27
This is a gun that is not as easy to use as an air driven one and does take some getting used to, I think that is where people have problems. Good balance and power and does not take the expensive, more limited Paslode round modified nails and will take up to a 3 1/2", 3 1/4" is not code in some areas and that is as long as the Paslode IMCT will shoot. I like not having to but anothe set od nailer for this gun as the Std. Senco style .
The fuel rod has to be in place correctly or the gun will not work correctly, sometimes you have to reinsert it if it does not seat the first time before closing the cover. There is a lock out on the nail strip to prevent dry fire so you need at least a 10 nail strip to start. You can not bump fire like so many like to do, wildly place nails all over, it is a sequential fire so you must place the nose on contact then let the fan start and fire,rated 2-3 nail/sec.. It takes some experience to learn how to use it. Go for an air driven nailer if you want to shoot it like a machine gun and have nails thru sheathing into air space like is the case in so many homes. I know bump fire can be done correctly but more often than not I see careless building results.
I have a Paslode finish nailer and it works fine, has its issues too, especially in having to be kept clean and use specific products for maintience as this gun has too.
The rubber grip on this tool and the balance is very good, hold the Paslode too you will see how much better this is. This is Made in Japan and not a cheaply made tool as so many tools are today. The fuel rod is from Germany, and does not have an expiration date like the Paslode fuel which will work too[Red rod]. They did have problems with the early Hitachi fuel but that is corrected now.
I do not like the depth adjuster and jam removal screws because you need a 5mm allen key that is supplied but does not have any onboard storage [it does have a spot in the nice case]. The depth adjuster should be tooless, I really dislike those 2 issues . There is also no rubber protector boot for siding or decking but again the Pasload boot will fit if you buy it. For the price it is a great tool IF you follow instructions and do not have expectations that it will act like an air framing nailer. I hope Hitachi will decide to make some finish nailers too.
