Hakko FX-951 vs FX-888D

[int0x2e]

Hi everyone,
I'm planning to buy my first "real" soldering station, and want your opinion on which one to get.
I'm pretty much sold on buying a Hakko after reading lots of very positive reviews.
I plan to use the station for hobby level stuff, mostly SMT.

I understand the most common choice would be the FX-888D, but the situation in my country is such that the FX-888D isn't too far (+36%) from the cost of the FX-951 (which is supposedly better and more "professional grade").
I did see one YouTube review for the FX-951 which complained about the feel/quality of the handle, but from a technical standpoint, it is supposed to be superior (heating element and termocouple are integrated into the soldering tips, and thus real-world temperature control and recovery is supposed to be better...)

Cost analysis:
FX-888D - 211 USD / 155 EUR
FX-951 - 287 USD / 211 EUR

I know that the soldering tips for the 951 will cost about twice as much as the tips for the fx-888d.

Which would you choose if you were in my position? Would you spend a little more to get the 951?
(A text reply would be appreciated, but you can also just vote in the poll above. Thank you for helping me choose  )

[amyk]

For hobby use the '951 is probably overkill.

If you're going to work with SMT most of the time, a hot air station would be a better choice. A Chinese one like the 858D, plus another iron (936-style), will cost less than either one of those stations alone.

[denelec]

211 USD for a FX-888 is quite pricey.  In the US, it sell for less than $100.
287 USD for a FX-951 looks like a bargain.

Maybe you should try to find a better deal for a FX-888.

[mariush]

@int0x2e : there's a store in Italy that has the 230v Hakko 888D on sale at 95 euro + vat  : http://www.batterfly.com/shop/hakko_fx-888d

That's about 160$ plus shipping.

One of their employees has an account here on this forum, so it's not quite a "fly-in-the-night" company, at least they're active with potential buyers.

[sacherjj]

After the FX-951, moving back to something like the FX-888D seems like stone age.  At the APEX show this year, Hakko had a really nice micro iron.  I played with it on some 0201 stuff and it was nice.

[Fsck]

951 all the way for that cost difference.

[John Coloccia]

951.  I have the predecessor, the FP101.  Its a much better unit.

[saturation]

951 if price is close, the 888 is not made in Japan, and is designed for professional use.  One other option in the EU for price is the Xytronic brand.  See recent reviews in the forum.

[miguelvp]

Think about the years of use, then the price difference won't mean a thing. I would get the 951 if my wife would let me spend the money

[echen1024]

Since you are in the EU, have you considered the ERSA iCon Nano for 190EUR?
http://uk.farnell.com/ersa/i-con-nano/soldering-station-60w-eu-plug/dp/1727686?Ntt=ersa+icon+nano

[nanofrog]

Between the two Hakko's, the FX-951 hands down. 

As echen mentioned, the iCon Nano would be worth considering as well. Definitely worth doing some research to compare the two IMHO.

[austere]

Here's a question, in Australia the Hakko FX-950 is priced the same as the FX-951 in North America, what's the difference other than the knob? From the Hakko website it seems like the irons themselves are the driven by the same power. But only the FX-951 is advertised as being able to use the FM-2032. I don't see why it can't though, perhaps they didn't update its description.

[nanofrog]

Here's a question, in Australia the Hakko FX-950 is priced the same as the FX-951 in North America, what's the difference other than the knob? From the Hakko website it seems like the irons themselves are the driven by the same power. But only the FX-951 is advertised as being able to use the FM-2032. I don't see why it can't though, perhaps they didn't update its description.

Rather consistent that it isn't listed as compatible (go to the FM-2032 page, and no reference to the FX-950 either). 

As per differences between the FX-950 and FX-951, it's not available in North America.     Seriously though, you lose the connected/switched stand that comes in the FX-951 so setback and sleep are gone (it's an option on the FX-950, but it's limited strictly to a 200C setback temp), and of course no presets.

What's the cost difference between them in Australia?

[austere]

Cheapest FX-950 from element14 for $291AUD (delivered, after tax)
Cheapest FX-951 from mektronics for $462AUD (ditto)

For comparison the cheapest FX-888D is also from mektronics at $187AUD delivered.

Significant difference, if the only thing we lose is the digital display then the FX-950 is a (relative) bargain, but you make a good point that the FM-2032 doesn't mention the FX-950 at all. Is there anyone here that actually owns this station that can shed more light on the matter?

[MrsR]

While you're looking at FARNEL/ELEMENT14 have a look at the TENMA SOLDERING STATION $144 AU when I bought it.
I've had mine for about a year now used every work day no problems.
Only thing I didn't like is you have to buy the soldering Tips in lots of 10.
Over all

Just had a look at ELEMENT14's Site and the TENMA Soldering Station is $150.99 still a good price
There is a more expencive one listed but I can't find any difference.....

[nanofrog]

Cheapest FX-950 from element14 for $291AUD (delivered, after tax)
Cheapest FX-951 from mektronics for $462AUD (ditto)

Wow, that's quite a price difference (and explains why the FX-950 isn't offered in North America).

If you don't absolutely require the additional features the FX-951 offers, the FX-950 would certainly be tempting (still get the most important one IMHO, the cartridge tip technology). 

For comparison the cheapest FX-888D is also from mektronics at $187AUD delivered.

Certainly real value for that extra ~100AUD between the FX-888D and the FX-950. 

I'm accustomed to ~90USD for an FX-888D, and ~270USD for an FX-951 delivered here in the US, so the value seems to be a lot less than I'm familiar with for the FX-951, though it does still seem to be some there based on what I saw a JBC CD-2BC on mektronics sell for (540AUD ex GST).  For comparative purposes the 120V version,CD-1BC, is a lot less (Warning: only click if you want to    or  ). Tack on ~12USD delivery for the final price.

[austere]

You know that JBC is fair compared to the huge markup on the FX-888D (as a percentage)

I'm actually tempted to get a step down transformer and just buy everything from the US, even the FX-888D for $125USD ($134AUD) delivered is good value with a $40AUD transformer. The only problem is the frequency mismatch and I've heard from others that the station unit gets hot when this is used.

[nanofrog]

You know that JBC is fair compared to the huge markup on the FX-888D (as a percentage)

I'm actually tempted to get a step down transformer and just buy everything from the US, even the FX-888D for $125USD ($134AUD) delivered is good value with a $40AUD transformer. The only problem is the frequency mismatch and I've heard from others that the station unit gets hot when this is used.

Not a bad idea in this case (works out financially based on the numbers you posted; tends not to for UK members unfortunately).

Better yet, janelonline sells the 230V versions if you go this route (they do a lot of international business). Stock is zero (CD-2BC for example), so I suspect they get these drop shipped. Takes a bit longer (up to 14 bus. days to get the order shipped), but the price is the same as the 120V versions. And no step-down transformer to fool with (at least for soldering equipment or anything with a universal PSU, such as an oscilloscope).

Plenty of questions as to whether or not 60Hz equipment will work on 50Hz (and vice versa), but I don't recall seeing anyone demonstrating that there's genuine issues with the mains frequency mismatch (getting hot or otherwise). So I don't see it as an issue.

But if you go for a 230V JBC model purchased from Janel, this wouldn't be an issue anyway.  Typed an Australian address in (Sydney, NSW 2000), total price came to 547.95USD delivered (no GST, but IIRC, it's exempt if it's under 1kAUD).

[miguelvp]

http://www.dancap.co.uk/Discontinued/fx888manual.pdf

part number for the 220-240V transformer is B3491
B3491    TRANSFORMER                    £34.70

http://www.dancap.co.uk/soldering/fx888pricelist.htm

But I would contact them first to make sure they have them because that's the only hit I got looking for that part number.
Also ask them if they will ship to Australia.

Part number for the Australian power cord is B3497 but no hits

[neslekkim]

I bought two JBC's from this seller: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/fs-(ue)-jbc-soldering-station/

Kinda expensive for hobby use (i'm no professional, just hobby), but only I regret is my 888d and 951 purchases.

[gmit77]

they are both very good and performing stations (FX951 and FX888D)
don't forget:
- sleep mode on FX951 only
- tips shape selection which is higer for the FX951
- tips technology:
• FX951 use cartrige so the heating element is into the tip, every time you change tip you have a new heating elemnt
• FX888D use standard tip, less selection, the heating system is into the hadle sold as spare part in case of need
- tips price, FX951's tip are much more expensive the FX888D's tip like 15euro Vs 5 euro

price including one tip:
300 Vs 95 euro

cheers

[austere]

That's something important to consider I suppose, it's true the cartridge costs more to replace, but if the heating element needs replacement on the FX888D you may as well get a brand new station since the iron costs just about as much as it!

[saturation]

The FX888 heating element is user replaceable, they cost about $20 in the USA.  One reason 951 tips are expensive is because the heating element is built into each tip, whereas on the 888 you replace only the tip.  However the entire iron cost as much as the station.  The good news is the iron almost never needs replacement and except for very old stations so the insulation of the cable falls apart.  The only time it needs changing is physical damage from abuse: cutting or fraying the cord, severe drops cracking the handle. 

Roughly in cost from Nut to Element is:

$5            $5          $5-40 varies with geometry  $5   $20



The parts listed above are likely to wear away due to heat degredation but not from below the heating element, i.e., the handle and cord.  As expected of Hakko, all those parts are available from their distributors.

That's something important to consider I suppose, it's true the cartridge costs more to replace, but if the heating element needs replacement on the FX888D you may as well get a brand new station since the iron costs just about as much as it!

[austere]

Ah, thanks for your information. Do you happen why the FM-2032 would not work with a FX-950? Other than a power and sense line, what kind of communication is passed through the iron?

[John Coloccia]

Ah, thanks for your information. Do you happen why the FM-2032 would not work with a FX-950? Other than a power and sense line, what kind of communication is passed through the iron?

Are you sure that it doesn't?  I'd almost bet that it does.  Send them an e-mail.  They've always answered my questions quickly and accurately.

re: tip cost
The good news is that the tips last a long time.  I have my thousands of solder joints on mine, and they still look brand new.