Help me pick: T210 vs T245 for SMD rework

[SolderOcelot]

I'm currently using a big T18-style soldering iron and the last job where I replaced a tantalum capacitor I had to be careful not to touch the surrounding parts. I need some help picking a soldering station with a finer tip and more control. With all respect to the forum, I've extensively used the search function and gathered some information already.

What will I be working on?

• Often (once a week): replacing SMD components (mosfets, inductors and capacitors)
• Sometimes (once a month): soldering THT parts on small hobby projects + reworking PCB's on USB flash drives + replacing micro usb charging ports
• Very rarely, maybe never: working on smartphone PCB's

Requirements

• Cartridge style tip
• Digital screen with temperature display
• Heat up to 350°C under 5 seconds
• Preferably with tip and brass holder
• Yes I can $ 500 without going homeless but I want to go max $ 100 -> that means definitely going Chinese brand. Once this one dies, I'll go half a grand and buy original JBC or something

Tip research
I've learned that choosing a soldering iron means choosing the tip/handle first. These are the tip/handle constructions I've learned about.

• Ceramic heated like Hakko T18 (and knock-offs). They are big and clunky, takes longer to heat up and needs to cool before replacing tips. Considered "old tech" by now
• Cartridge style which consists of JBC T115/T210/T245 (and chinese replica's like T3A/T3B) or Hakko T12/T15 style tips. The former can be replaced without touching the tips. Both have shorter tip-to-grip length for better control.
• Pinecil style with 3.5mm jack connector (and chinese replica's like TS80P). Technically also "cartridge style" including same benefits. Used on compact portable soldering irons, often low power rated. Too gadgety for me so I ignored it mostly.

The station candidates

• The famous Aixun T3A
  
  • Pro's: killer performance, beautiful design (subject), strong reputation
  • Cons: Does not support T210 handle so you're stuck to T245 permanent, over budget, 200W come on man..
• Aixun T3B
  
  • Pro's: killer performance, beautiful design, dual support T115/T210 handle, strong reputation
  • Cons: Does not support T245 handle so you're stuck to T115/T210 permanent, over budget
• Yihua 982-iii
  
  • Pro's: Supports T115 and T210, very tempting price
  • Cons: Does not support T245 handle so you're stuck to T115/T210 permanent, a bit ugly, no quality reviews on youtube

My main questions to this lovely community

• Do you think I should go for T210 or T245? Some say T245 is bigger but still small enough and has larger available tip-size range than T210
• Which soldering station can you recommend? Can be one of my own candidates or something outside

I was actually ready to order the Yihua 982-iii today until I saw this photo posted by user @Arts. On this photo you can see that the T245 is already WAY SMALLER than the T18 style tip which I'm using too. Maybe the T245 is enough even for very fiddle components?

[RayRay]

I personally have the T3A station for a number of years now, and I have no problem whatsoever with soldering SMD components.
The tip to handle distance is minimal, and the handle itsef is very thin, not overly long and comfy. That said, there are cheaper stations with C245 support nowadays (from OSS/KSGER/GVM). and KSGER also has a dual station that supports both C245/210 But to be clear, C245 tips provide the highest output power from the trio so are best overall. I'd say you'd be satisfied with a station that supports C245 only, but if you wanna expirement with it, you also have that KSGER station I've mentioned.

[wraper]

T210 can be a great supplement to T245 for the finest jobs, but I don't suggest it as the only iron have.

[SolderOcelot]

That said, there are cheaper stations with C245 support nowadays (from OSS/KSGER/GVM). and KSGER also has a dual station that supports both C245/210 But to be clear, C245 tips provide the highest output power from the trio so are best overall. I'd say you'd be satisfied with a station that supports C245 only, but if you wanna expirement with it, you also have that KSGER station I've mentioned.

I'm definitely going to have a look at these alternatives as well.

T210 can be a great supplement to T245 for the finest jobs, but I don't suggest it as the only iron have.

This is really what I'm trying to find out. If I had anyone in closeby with a T245 OR T210 handle/tip, I could've inspected it in real life but I will have to do with valuable opinions online.

[thm_w]

T245 is what you want based on what you've written.

Do not worry about having dual T210/T115 compatibility, you can get a decent T210 USB setup incredibly cheaply, ~$20-40. Better than having to unplug and switch to another hand piece.

[chrono68]

Are you set on using a JBC tip?
If not, you actually mentioned my latest favorite: Pinecil v2. I haven't used my stations in a while because of it.
Their 6.2ohm tips are shorter than the original TS80 ones which puts the grip-to-solder tip length competitive with T245.
Where it really kicks in is if you have a PD3.1 charger, using their 6.2ohm tips, you can use 24v to get a 126W iron for $30. If you need a PD3.1 charger the cost will rise but won't be more than $80.
thm_w's suggestion is a good 2nd choice but requires spending the ~$100 for your 245 station, then ~$30 for your 210 USB, but you have to stock two different tip types. With a PD3.1 Pinecil you can do 210 work and 245 work with the same tip set and potentially saving you ~$50.

[thm_w]

With a PD3.1 Pinecil you can do 210 work and 245 work with the same tip set and potentially saving you ~$50.

If its $30 that is good value but performance wise Pinecil is not comparable to T245, from what I've seen.
The point of having a 210 and 245 is that the handle sizes and tip lengths are different. If you can only afford one then you'd get the 245 and use small tips, which are readily available.

[chrono68]

He's only using PD3.0 which the pinecil caps out at 64W so I'd expect it to underperform versus any Ali brand T245. He needs a revisit using an EPR cable!

The advantage of the T210 is shorter length for sure but the biggest advantage, I think, is for micro soldering (cell phone or trace repair <2mils) where they have the smallest diameter tips bar none.
I found that anything 0402 or larger the tip length of the pinecil is competitive enough I don't find myself needing to go to my Pace. Because of that reason I'd recommend the pinecil as the "do all" unless someone isn't opposed to supporting two different stations.

I haven't tried that Ali T210 you posted but I do have a Sequre S60p which is another excellent USB option. Probably same performance I just like that Sequre uses IronOS.
https://sequremall.com/products/sequer-s60p-upgraded-version-electric-soldering-iron-supports-pd-qc-dc-pps-power-supply-compatible-with-c210-soldering-iron-tip-precision-electronic-mobile-phone-repair-tool-anti-static-soldering-pen-60w?variant=42851410968764

[SolderOcelot]

These side-by-side photos you guys have posted are SUPER valuable to me. They show the handl/tip size differences very clearly. The T245 already looks pretty darn small. I'm getting the feeling that the T210 is way smaller than I think it is and it's really only suitable for super mini smartphone PCB components. I'm changing my mind slowly and I'm leaning more towards T245 now and later maybe getting a small USB-C powered iron next to it as a T210-size alternative.

Regarding the Pinecil, the original "pencil style soldering iron" as I believe it to be, is amazing. As a main soldering iron I prefer a solid station with a big display and a knob for temperature control but the Pinecil v2 or knock-off (eg TS80P) are very tempting to buy. I'm very surprised to see there are variants with JBC style tip compatibility..

[thm_w]

Yes T245 is what you want for now. Decide later if you need anything else.
C245 goes to 0.3 or 0.4mm which is super small already: https://www.jbctools.com/pdf/brochures/brochure-cartridge-guide-0022524_ID-190490.pdf

If you want a beast USB iron you can get the fnirsi, but I don't see the point for normal use, it has similar downsides to the pinecil: large bulky handpiece, poor ergonomics, not earthed by default, etc.

[SolderOcelot]

Right now the Yihua 982 is looking really good.

• Dual handle support (C245 + C210)
• Sponge and brass holder
• Cable bungee (really appreciated)
• Dirt cheap (around $ 60).. maybe suspiciously cheap?

Only thing I haven't found out is

• How much wattage does it push
• Are the cables silicone
• Will it fit original JBC tips

I'll ask the seller and will report back here.

[RayRay]

You also have a similar option from KSGER:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006889495042.html
It looks less toyish than the Yihua, and IMO, this brand has a better reputation.
And no, the pricing of the Yihua is reasonable. All of these stations use SMPS and not a heavy transformer.
As for your questions:

1. 40W for C210, 120W for C245

2. Couldn't find an exact answer, but I would be surprised it doesn't (Silicone cables have been standard for soldering stations for a long time now)

3. More than likely, can't think of a reason why it won't. Personally though, I think the orignal JBC tips are overpriced for no justifisable reason, And I've had no problems with C245 tips made by Kellyshun/Myto/Relife

[elektryk]

Consider any station compatbile with this FW (for example KSGER) https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/stm32-oled-digital-soldering-station-for-t12-handle/

Then you can use T12, T245, T210 with the same controller.

[thm_w]

The genuine JBC tips would work, but the handpiece connector is different. Doesn't really matter though if you buy from them.

They claim the tip is earthed: http://yihua-soldering.com/5-13-982-soldering-station.html
If this is true, its better than the Aixun stuff.
Though yes the build quality/case is clearly worse.

[SolderOcelot]

Yihua 982 received. First impressions after unpacking, before using:

• This thing is way smaller than it looks
• My goodness, glad I didn't go for T210-only because I have here both the C210 and C245 handle (dual support) and the C245 is already very small
• The station itself feels very cheap but for this price I'm not complaining

Also according to Yihua (and some as stated correctly by @RayRay), these are the wattages:

• C115 = 30W
• C210 = 40W
• C245 = 120W

Also according to Yihua: original JBC tips are not compatible!. Maybe they say this to sell their own tips?

[thm_w]

Maybe say it to avoid complaints if something happened to not work.
Can you measure the resistance of the tips you got? If necessary carefully use a power supply to inject 1V+ into the tip and measure the voltage drop.
You can also measure the consumption of the station as a whole to see how many watts its putting out, roughly.
And maybe if the tip is earthed or not.


I measured some random Kiludo C245 tips for comparison:
Standard tip: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002996523809.html 2.06 ohm
Golden color: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004542899737.html 2.60 ohm

C210's: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003004339788.html (don't buy poor QC).
Resistances: 2.09 ohm, 2.36 ohm, 2.22 ohm, aixun C210 1.93 ohm

Genuine C245 is in the same range, ~2.4 ohm afaik.

[SolderOcelot]

A well delayed reply but as requested here it is! With the C245 (labeled 616A) handle:

• Tip (top to bottom) 0.4 ohm
• Tip to ground 0.4 ohm

Impressed?