Hakko FX-951 vs FX-888D - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: int0x2e
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 30, 2014, 09:11:35 am
content: 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 EURFX-951 - 287 USD / 211 EURI 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)

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2014, 12:18:07 pm
content: 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.

author: denelec
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2014, 10:21:54 pm
content: 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.

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2014, 11:27:02 pm
content: @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-888dThat'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.

author: sacherjj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2014, 01:21:45 am
content: 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.

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2014, 04:42:30 am
content: 951 all the way for that cost difference.

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2014, 08:36:51 am
content: 951. I have the predecessor, the FP101. Its a much better unit.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2014, 01:42:04 pm
content: 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.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2014, 04:48:37 am
content: 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

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2014, 05:47:18 am
content: 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

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2014, 07:07:47 pm
content: Between the two Hakko's, the FX-951 hands down.Asechenmentioned, the iCon Nano would be worth considering as well. Definitely worth doing some research to compare the two IMHO.

author: austere
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 03:23:02 am
content: 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.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 04:10:00 am
content: Quote from: austere on June 03, 2014, 03:23:02 amRather 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?

author: austere
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 04:54:57 am
content: 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?

author: MrsR
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 07:46:42 pm
content: 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 allJust had a look at ELEMENT14's Site and the TENMA Soldering Station is $150.99 still a good priceThere is a more expencive one listed but I can't find any difference.....

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 10:18:57 pm
content: Quote from: austere on June 03, 2014, 04:54:57 amWow, 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).Quote from: austere on June 03, 2014, 04:54:57 amCertainly 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 toor). Tack on ~12USD delivery for the final price.

author: austere
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2014, 05:45:34 am
content: 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.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2014, 06:43:57 am
content: Quote from: austere on June 04, 2014, 05:45:34 amNot 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 versionsif you go this route (they do a lot of international business). Stock is zero (CD-2BCfor 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).

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2014, 07:12:12 am
content: http://www.dancap.co.uk/Discontinued/fx888manual.pdfpart number for the 220-240V transformer is B3491B3491 TRANSFORMER £34.70http://www.dancap.co.uk/soldering/fx888pricelist.htmBut 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

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2014, 08:35:06 am
content: 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.

author: gmit77
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2014, 04:00:31 pm
content: 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 europrice including one tip:300 Vs 95 eurocheers

author: austere
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2014, 06:05:27 pm
content: 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!

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2014, 06:53:46 pm
content: 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 $20The 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.Quote from: austere on June 04, 2014, 06:05:27 pm

author: austere
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2014, 10:06:51 pm
content: 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?

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2014, 06:30:43 am
content: Quote from: austere on June 04, 2014, 10:06:51 pmAre 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 costThe 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.

author: gmit77
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2014, 07:10:51 am
content: The FM-2032 can be used with the FX-950 as wellother point for HAKKO FX888D you can upgrade adding the HAKKO FX-8804 Hot tweezers

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2014, 03:21:28 pm
content: Quote from: gmit77 on June 05, 2014, 07:10:51 amThey are bloody expensive though.

author: lpc32
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2014, 06:11:49 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on June 04, 2014, 06:43:57 amI've been told by Hakko USA that running 60Hz at 50Hz should be fine. Hakko Japan said the problem isn't the frequency but whether or not it outputs a sine wave. I don't know if they refer to modified sine wave or something else.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2014, 07:36:16 pm
content: Quote from: lpc32 on June 08, 2014, 06:11:49 pmWell that's easy.... just don't plug it into a UPS.Wall only, and you'll be fine.

author: austere
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2014, 02:11:01 pm
content: I bought the FX-950 and it is excellent, for those who want knob-style controls it hits the right number. Americans might want to import it from Australia for a change (with a step up transformer). The whole unit feels solid as a bricks**t house and it heats up in less than 20 seconds. Heat capacity is phenomenal, albeit the best I've used are low end Wellers and the Hakko 936, but the FX-950 hasn't failed to remelt any solder joint I've thrown at it.Will definitely buy more tips for this system.

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 11, 2014, 03:16:29 pm
content: I've also been looking at a new soldering iron and had almost decided on the FX888 - until I saw this thread.Now to decide if the extra $100 for the 950 is justified seeing I don't really do that much soldering.In the meantime, I've ordered one of the cheap Chinese soldering iron/heat gun combinations.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2014, 04:44:20 pm
content: Recent free trade agreement between Oz and Japan should bring cost of Japanese goods down.Aside from GST, looking at Oz websites Hakko items cost ~2x more compared to US Hakko.

author: austere
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2014, 07:21:59 am
content: In theory it would but I doubt it, you can check the price of Fluke products, as far as I know there's a FTA in place with the US but exorbitant prices are still rampant!

author: austere
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2014, 02:22:41 pm
content: Officially, Australia is meant to be 230 Volts but its more likely that the lines will deliver 240 Volts which would be within specifications. 230->100 Volts should work!

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 04:27:52 pm
content: 220, 230V is the same, just the tolerances are different.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 05:22:57 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on June 13, 2014, 04:27:52 pmExcept not quite.If a transformer produces 24 V when the input voltage is 220 V, then it will produce 26 V when supplied with 240 V. The 2 V difference may not seem like a lot, but it is a 3 V difference in the rectified and filtered voltage, and that is an extra 3 V of added/lost head room on regulators with a possible impact on heat loads.

author: denelec
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 05:39:40 pm
content: Nominal mains voltage may be 100V, 110V, 120V, 127V, 220V, 230V and 240V depending on the country.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_electricity_by_countryIn Canada and the US, the nominal voltage is 120V (not 110V) but the actual voltage can vary from 106V to 127V.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 06:06:02 pm
content: Same with tolerances, you will find areas with high mains and areas with low mains in the same voltage region. in any case a lot of cheaper motors are now wound to 200v to lower the cost of copper, and you get a mains cable run at it's current limit with them.

author: guisveld
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 08, 2018, 02:35:06 pm
content: The FX-888d looks very sexy. great stand. But of the Hakko's I know I prefer the workhorse Hakko 938. Amazing power with direct heat tips (heater intergrated in the tip). To bad it went out of production. My FX-888d refuses to work when te workshop is warmer than 25 degrees C. If I put in the refridgerator for an hour it works fine ;-)The digital menu s of the hakko s are an analogue fan boy s worst nigthmare.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2018, 04:11:28 pm
content: Quote from: guisveld on August 08, 2018, 02:35:06 pmOf all the discussions about the FX-888 to reply to, you chose one that's been dead for over 4 years?!?

author: Rolo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2018, 04:28:13 pm
content: If your FX-888d does not work above 25° C ambient temp it's broken. My workspace was > 30°C this week and it worked fine.

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2018, 06:05:35 pm
content: Quote from: guisveld on August 08, 2018, 02:35:06 pmit looks like an ugly pig compared to the ultra-sexy FX952 and it's stand - specially the stand!.(just dont look at the price!)