Hakko Soldering Station, FX-888 Review

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(More customer reviews)According to the manufacturer (lookup Hakko's website) the new FX-888 should have improved characteristics over their very popular and successful model 936. I got mine at nearby Frys brick and mortar for sixty five. Frys also had full range of tips for this iron averaging about six dol. a piece.
The station is fully temperature-controlled. It is supplied via a regular transformer which adds to its weight but is much more reliable than a switched mode PS. It has an "artsy" design, offered in four different color patterns, with hard plasic top shell and sturdy metal bottom to which the transformer is attached (yes, I had to open it up ;)). As one can see in the picture, the station has a simple center knob with a dial making it super easy to operate and inexpensive to manufacture. Digital temp. displays always add to the final price tag.
Red LED light indicates when the iron gets its power to heat up. It is actually fun to watch it blink ON and OFF and to see how the circuitry determines the iron's need for more heat. "ESD-safe" means that the iron is grounded throughout - from the mains plug to the iron's tip.
The only one thing I didn't quite like is the plastic socket in the station connecting the iron's plastic plug with it. The plug and socket is of the old European DIN type used for low audio signals, and in here it supplies 3 Amps to the 70 Watts iron. If it just stays plugged in - it should last forever, but if one needs to put it away unplugged often - this connector looks to me like a thing likely to fail at some point in time.

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Affordable, durable temperature-adjustable soldering station. Smaller footprint saves valuable workbench space. More productivity due to increased thermal performance and faster thermal recovery time. Includes: Iron holder (with cleaning wire, cleaning sponge and rubber cleaner), Hexagon wrench, CAL adjustment driver, and Instruction Manual.Features:Adjustable temperature control with lock/set screw Temperature range of 392-896°F Maintains idle temperature within ±1.8°F Ceramic heating element and sensor ensure rapid heat up and recovery Dial display shows °F or °C Temperature adjusted by turning dial Slender, padded iron handle for comfort

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