Upgrade from Metcal SP-200

[Everbrave]

The questions I’m asking myself and seeking your opinion to answer are:
1) what is the upgrade path from Metcal SP-200 for a hobbyist, the PS-900 or the MFR-series?
2) Will I notice the upgrade to the higher power?
3) Is an upgrade necessary at all?

What do you think?

Thanks

[thm_w]

I think we already discussed in your other thread: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/metcal-gt-90120-is-still-a-metcal/

Go plug in a watt meter and start soldering stuff you normally solder. If you don't max out the input (60W in? somewhere around there), then you won't notice a significant difference in performance.

Of course, power will always max out when turning on, so heat up time will be a bit faster.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskElectronics/comments/531rf0/looking_to_buy_a_metcal_any_opinions/
https://www.ellsworth.com/globalassets/literature-library/manufacturer/oki/oki-product-guide-hand-soldering-and-rework-ps-900-and-mfr-series.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOooHyfVsnPXbCjfMIhF5dHxwGoegk8qtJUsvuJa-pjrLwUjZdYs7

[Everbrave]

I think we already discussed in your other thread: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/metcal-gt-90120-is-still-a-metcal/

Go plug in a watt meter and start soldering stuff you normally solder. If you don't max out the input (60W in? somewhere around there), then you won't notice a significant difference in performance.

Of course, power will always max out when turning on, so heat up time will be a bit faster.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskElectronics/comments/531rf0/looking_to_buy_a_metcal_any_opinions/
https://www.ellsworth.com/globalassets/literature-library/manufacturer/oki/oki-product-guide-hand-soldering-and-rework-ps-900-and-mfr-series.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOooHyfVsnPXbCjfMIhF5dHxwGoegk8qtJUsvuJa-pjrLwUjZdYs7

I get that regarding power; any thoughts regarding ps-900 vs. Mfr?
Thanks

[Everbrave]

Now, I’m able to answer my own question since I got a -very- good offer on the MFR-1110, so I bought it

The answer is, in my case, although I notice the difference in the heat-up and soldering duration in favor of the MFR due to the higher power, I would not consider it worth the upgrade if I had to pay the regular price!
Other things are, I like the slimmer SXP cartridge of the MFR compared to the SSC of the SP-200. Also, the MFR is quite; no transformer buzzing!
All in all, I like my new MFR very much