I think we've done the rounds about the relationship between Ryobi and Performance Pro over and over again. However today when I popped into the local shed to buy some stuff, the displays of the Ryobi and PP tools were next to each other. Mostly the two ranges are difficult to distinguish, but the PP range appears to have more than one supplier.
The battery types for the PP range varies, I could spot at least three types of 18V battery with mutually incompatible connectors. The Ryobi
18V range all use the same battery and charger.What was interesting is that one of the PP batteries (which fits the PP tools that I have) is identical to the Ryobi 18V battery, with one small detail change. The connector on the PP is 180 degrees reversed from the design of the Ryobi. Other than that the two designs fit each other. The PP batteries fit the Ryobi charger and vice versa. Sadly the Ryobi batteries won't fit the PP tools because the body of the battery is 180 degrees out of alignment with the tool.
Ryobi saw blades fit the PP tools however, and as I mentioned before it's possible to see a "Ryobi" marking on the motor of one of the PP tools I own, so some other spares may be interchangeable. B&Q continue with their policy of offering a tool for a few weeks then dropping all support including spare batteries, chargers and blades. I wonder WTF the managers of the store are smoking.