Hakko upgrade

[Wimberleytech]

Decided to upgrade from my 936 to the 888D.  I know that not everyone would agree with this change. 

It started with ordering some new tips...then one thing led to another.

Hey...if I don't like it, I don't have to use it.  But, it will give me the opportunity to do a comparison...I will post my thoughts.

I bought it directly from Hakko USA.

My 936 was bought 18 yrs ago at Fry's.  Time flies.

[Alex Eisenhut]

My 936 was bought 18 yrs ago at Fry's.  Time flies.

yikes, yeah.... I ordered mine through a rep back at a job around two decades ago. They're not bad irons but when desoldering things like the RF shield on the back of Commodore 8 bit machines (sheet metal fingers that solder to PCB planes) I can certainly see the difference between ceramic heaters and directly heated tips.

[001]

both stations use same irons, isnt it?

[KL27x]

The 888 was updated to be better for lead-free solder and for higher thermal mass planes. The 888 has a 26V transformer, vs 24V on the 936. Without losses from the TRIAC, this is already over 17% more power. If you include the losses from the TRIAC, the power increase is even greater.

It also has a better iron holder.

They also upgraded from a 5 pin DIN connector to a 6 pin DIN... leaving 1 pin unconnected. LOL.

[Wimberleytech]

The 888 was updated to be better for lead-free solder and for higher thermal mass planes. The 888 has a 26V transformer, vs 24V on the 936. Without losses from the TRIAC, this is already over 17% more power. If you include the losses from the TRIAC, the power increase is even greater.

It also has a better iron holder.

They also upgraded from a 5 pin DIN connector to a 6 pin DIN... leaving 1 pin unconnected. LOL.

YAY...sounds like I made a good call.  Gonna use that extra pin and associated wire as a wifi antenna so I can do remote soldering.

[ModemHead]

I recently treated myself to an FX-951 as an upgrade to a still perfectly-functioning 10 year-old 936.  While I appreciate the newer technology, I find myself missing the quick and efficient KNOB.

[wraper]

It's a meh upgrade. IMO to small to be worth spending the money. Basically the same thing with a bit more power.

[timgiles]

I recently treated myself to an FX-951 as an upgrade to a still perfectly-functioning 10 year-old 936.  While I appreciate the newer technology, I find myself missing the quick and efficient KNOB.

FX-950 - same tech, good old fashioned knob.

[KL27x]

FX-950 - same tech, good old fashioned knob.

For some reason, they only make this for 220V input.

It's a meh upgrade. IMO to small to be worth spending the money. Basically the same thing with a bit more power.

If you live in the US, it's a really inexpensive upgrade, though. $100-120.00. If you already shop at Fry's and wait for the annual 888 sale, even better.

I initially missed the dial, but I prefer using presets, now. The benefit is they are more repeatable. For different size tips, I use different settings, and the presets keep everything consistent. Heck, without the presets, my settings would just drift and I wouldn't even know I'm using distinctly different settings by now. I'd still be attributing these adjustments to my memory or the board. I don't want to look at the station to change temps/presets, though, so I hacked my Hakko with 5 physical preset buttons and a microcontoller.

[mvs]

If you live in the US, it's a really inexpensive upgrade, though. $100-120.00. If you already shop at Fry's and wait for the annual 888 sale, even better.

In my eyes it is not an upgrade, just inexpensive replacement. An upgrade would be cartridge based station like Hakko FX95x, PACE ADS200, JBC CD-2xx, etc.

[KL27x]

An upgrade would be cartridge based station like Hakko FX95x, PACE ADS200, JBC CD-2xx, etc.

In my opinion, the only persons who will benefit from this "upgrade" are those who do high volume production soldering of high thermal mass joints. So unless you live in China and work at Foxconn, you probably don't get much of a benefit out of this upgrade other than your imagination.

[Wimberleytech]

An upgrade would be cartridge based station like Hakko FX95x, PACE ADS200, JBC CD-2xx, etc.

In my opinion, the only persons who will benefit from this "upgrade" are those who do high volume production soldering of high thermal mass joints. So unless you live in China and work at Foxconn, you probably don't get much of a benefit out of this upgrade other than your imagination.

Thanks for your input. 
I don't work at Foxconn...I piddle at home...after selling the last company I started...a luxury to be able to afford anything I want.