I was looking to get one of those fancy direct-heating type irons (JBC CD-2BQE, Pace ADS200, Hakko FX-951), but I baulked at the price to get them in Australia (prices in USD for easy comparison):
Model | US ($USD) | AU ($USD) |
JBC CD-2BQE | ~450 | ~450 |
Pace ADS200 | ~250 | ~450 |
Hakko FX-951 | ~250 | ~350 |
US Pricing from
TEquipment; AU Pricing from
Mektronics.
Buying from the US and shipping it over would end up costing an extra ~$100 anyways, so no point trying to import.
But then I stumbled across the Chinese-made Quick TS1200A (
not the TS1100!), which also claims to be the direct-heating type,
costing only ~$250USD to get it in Australia! (It can even be had for
just ~$150USD if you buy directly in China - search for the 快克TS1200A)
It also seems to have a better interface than the (similarly priced in the US) Hakko FX-951, albeit it lacks physical buttons in lieu of fixed touchscreen buttons.
But of course, the selection of available tips are way less than the alternatives (only 15?), though at first glance they might be compatible with Hakko tips?
Does anyone have one of these irons? Is anyone able to do a review of them?
How does it compare with the JBC/Pace/Hakko? Does it accept Hakko tips?
(There also seems to be a TS1200 without the A suffix, though I'm not sure of the difference between it and the TS1200A are)
Update: Given the replies on the thread so far, I've decided to summarise what I've learnt (including the Hakko FX-950 and KSGER T12 as well) with updated prices as of 2020-10-04
Model | US ($USD) | AU ($USD) | Tip Cost ($USD) | Power (W) | Notes |
Pace ADS200 | ~300 | ~600 | ~20 | 120 |
JBC CD-2BQE | ~450 | ~450 | ~35 | 130 | Short tip lifetime? |
Hakko FX-951 | ~250 | ~400 | ~25 | 70 | Poor user interface |
Quick TS1200A + JBC T245/C245 | ~300 | ~350 | ~35 | 120 | Short tip lifetime? |
Quick TS1200A | ~250 | ~250 | ~15 | 120 | Low quality tips, but compatible with JBC T245/C245 |
Hakko FX-950 | N/A | ~250 | ~25 | 70 | No actual temperature readout |
KSGER T12 | ~100 | ~100 | ~25 | 70 |
So it sounds like the KSGER T12 is best value for general purpose work, while the Quick TS1200A for brute power/speed.
However, the Quick can be "upgraded" with the JBC handles and tips, while still USD$100 or 25% cheaper than the full JBC station.