Didnt realise it had an extra 2" draw good pickup, & certainly makes up for the plastic handles . Think I'd rather have the full metal base than save a few grams of weight though. Have not had a chance to use both mitre adjust levers, but the US one looks better quality. Seems strange they would manufacture 2 versions. Wonder how many other products have subtle or not so subtle differences? I know the Australian version of the spotlight has a lower powered white led in place of the red led...