LFS: Looking for a Hakko FX-888 in Europe (Romania) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: PostaL
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2013, 12:45:54 pm
content: Hello to everyone here on EEVBlog!I'm looking for a Hakko FX-888 here in Romania (Europe) but I don't manage to fin a reasonably priced one. The only options I've managed to find as of now are:1. From the official Hakko importer in Romania, which asks 200$ for an FX-888D2. From e-bay/Spark Fun, where the price of the unit is usually reasonable (100$) but the shipping is almost as much (~70$)Does anybody from Europe has any idea where I can buy one at a more affordable price ? Say 130$ ? Or maybe someone here on the forum has one for sale ?Thank you very much!

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2013, 07:59:34 pm
content: Am cautat si eu si nu am gasit...I've been through this, believe me you won't find them cheaply in Europe. I ended up buying a used Hakko 936 from a guy in Israel, from eBay.If you want, order this one:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hakko-FX888-23BY-FX888-Soldering-Station-Replace-model-936-12-/380433497967?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58939a7f6fIt's 145.7$ but you may try making an offer and suggest to use a cheaper shipping option.

author: PostaL
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2013, 06:58:38 am
content: Merci mult!Thank you very much! I've contacted the seller from your suggestion. Hope I'll manage to close a deal with him.

author: flolic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2013, 08:46:00 am
content: Be aware that Hakko from that link is a 120V version, so you will need a 230/120V transformer.

author: JeanF
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2013, 06:33:51 pm
content: hello !I bought mine last summer, and I didn't want to:A- have to use a 110/230v transformerB- risk to buy one which could be a fake one frome Chinaso I thought "well, there are not many options, nor many other great irons in this price range" so I held my breath and paid the 180€ RS was asking for it... but it's a bit expensive, sure enough.

author: Pfex
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 10:07:09 am
content: I got myself a Hakko FX- 888D ( the digital version) from the Romanian distributorwww.grosvenor.ro.Just call them and / or send an email. They insisted on only selling to me if I buy the thing as a business but that did not end up being a problem for me.It was a bit pricey. If I remember correctly I payed in total about 180 Euro ( VAT included ) for the FX and a few extra tips.Hope the info helps.

author: PostaL
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 10:19:54 am
content: Quote from: PostaL on January 07, 2013, 12:45:54 pmYes, I was talking about them when I mentioned the official Hakko importer in Romania. Unfortunately, they charge way more that what I was willing to pay for a soldering station, it worth it or not.Thank you!

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 12:45:35 pm
content: It's not really worth it, like I said. Grosvenor is the same company I contacted and they told me the same story.They prefer to work only with companies but the local representative was willing to bend the rules to sell to a private person. But his price was also about the same, around 180 euros.At such price, it's cheaper to get one from US at around 85-90+ 40-50$ in shipping, and buy a 230v to 110v converter for about 10-15$.Or just get a second hand Hakko 936 from eBay and use original Hakko tips for " best performance "

author: PostaL
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 12:49:45 pm
content: I gave up on the Hakko idea for now, being so hard to get my hands on one, and instead I've bought a Chinese Hakko 936A clone (Gordak), and although it sounds bad, it's actually pretty good. I use it with a genuine Hakko tip, I guess, and it didn't let me down so far.