Are these Hakko Fx951's fake? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: FreedOhm
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 31, 2014, 05:49:31 pm
content: Hi, i did some looking around and found thesereallycheap 951's (Hakko 936 for 16 bucks!)http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?SearchText=hakko+fx-951&initiative_id=RS_20140531073838The problem is that i dont know if they are legit or not. I heard some people saying Aliexpress is a scam if you are stupid enough not to do research. Has anyone had experience with this website?

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2014, 06:40:19 pm
content: Very likely counterfeit, its a very highly copied model. The real thing is near $300.There is an archived thread here with photos and comparisons between real and fake.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/confirm-whether-this-hakko-951-is-authentic-or-fake-what-to-look-for/75/

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2014, 06:58:28 pm
content: Quote from: FreedOhm on May 31, 2014, 05:49:31 pmI got a fluke dmm with shipping to the US from Aliexpress and the transaction was smooth. It's depends on the individual seller. I don't think you have the same protection as ebay but you can still find good products. BTW, being a clone does not mean that it's not good value.

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2014, 10:32:40 pm
content: I bought two clones (thought they was real) from an US seller, one thing that they weren't cheap, another is that they don't work very well.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2014, 12:43:09 am
content: Very likely fake, and probably of the same performance as an 888/936, so unless you're only after the 951 look, they're not that good value either.Quote from: zapta on May 31, 2014, 06:58:28 pmI don't think there have been any cases of fake Flukes (not the look-alikes named FUKE, FILKE, etc.)

author: bitshape
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2014, 01:31:26 am
content: Real or fake is a dead giveaway if you look at thegenuine Hakko FX951iron holder, the fakes I've seen have a clearly different one.(Added picture of Hakko FX951 genuine iron holder:)If you are buying a Hakko, make sure you get the genuine product that will work as Hakko intended it to work, and it will also last you many years.edit:Also added more points of genuine Hakko FX951 in other picture, the shape of the symbol "#" and the connector socket on the front.

author: TVman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2014, 03:36:25 am
content: Yeah it looks fake.But it hasStars.

author: kodai
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2014, 04:39:47 am
content: Every single one on that page is fake. Sometimes a clone or pirated fake hakko can be worth it. That mainly means the 936 clones for $40 and free shipping. Anything more and you're better off buying a used but genuine 936. All other hakko clone are garbage that means 888, 888D, 951, and the now defunct 101 and 102 models. They have shown that they can be unsafe to both the work piece and user. They tend to go through cartridges far faster than genuine versions. They may reach the set temp, but do so far slower than the real deal and have far lower thermal recovery as well.The best bet to save money is buy used. Ebay used to have lots of genuine 951 with wand, tips (cartridges), sleeper stand, and tip tray for about $150. But that was last year, and things have changed. They still show up, but you may have to wait for a while to get a good deal on them. Since you can buy them new in the U.S. for about $250.00 with a warranty, then anything more than $150.00 is not really worth it when it comes to used. I got two complete 951's. on there for under $220.00, including shipping. That was a couple years ago, but they can still be found for a good price.Thing to keep an eye out for when it comes to 951's is the sleeper stand. No matter what anybody says, hakko only sells the 951 with a sleeper stand. That's the model with the flat metal sides that are squareish in shape, and has a 1/8" (3.5mm) cable that plugs into the 951 base station. If the seller says its a real hakko but its their "cost reduced" version for Asian markets, then its a box of junk. If the description does not clearly state that it has a sleeper stand then run away screaming.

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2014, 09:09:28 pm
content: Quote from: bitshape on June 01, 2014, 01:31:26 amNot always, I got first an "old model", and the replacement had the "new model", with the sleeper stand, looks kinda ok, but the contents inside the solderstation is totally different, and it does not give right temperature, or keeps it programming.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2014, 02:20:40 am
content: Another thing to pay attention to IMHO, is the iron (FM-2028).The cheap/clones cut corners, so things such as quick release sleeve/tip holder might be missing, ring that lights up missing (i.e. yellow ring instead of clear), the plastic isn't molded to the same shape (details such as the steps near the cable missing), and the strain relief looks like it doesn't fit properly & is cheap.FWIW, there's a new iron for it (optional), theFM-2032.Also, where are you located?If you go into your user profile and set your country, it will display your nation's flag beneath your userID with each post. This will help members offer links relevant to your location (where to get stuff and how much it will cost).

author: TVman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 03:52:30 am
content: Quote from: mojo-chan on June 02, 2014, 10:19:53 amFake, Fake, Fake.

author: kodai
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 10:24:19 am
content: Quote from: mojo-chan on June 02, 2014, 10:19:53 amThat's simply untrue. Lots of Hakko sales on ebay are genuine, both new and used. I have a fairly large collection of Hakko irons I've bought on ebay and they are all genuine. Some were new when I bought them, and others were used. Last year I snagged a Hakko FP-101 with key card, 2021 wand, and a stand for $5.00 and $7 or $8 shipping. Well worth every penny.If you want to assume that they are all fake then that's your choice. Its good for me, as it keeps you out of the bidding and helps me get good deals like the one I listed above. The truth is you don't know how to use ebay, and you make bad, snap judgements on it.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 03:45:52 pm
content: eBay has legitimate Hakko as well as many others, but there are as many counterfeit offers too. You have to be very careful buying any Hakko product or supplies [ e.g. tips] from non-authorized distributors. In the USA, unless you are buying used, its safer and won't cost that much more to buy direct from Hakko USA, and they have superb customer service.For the 951, the tips for the true Hakko unitbeginat $20, compared to $4 for an 888 or 936 tip. So if you accidentally buy counterfeit, it not only may not work properly, it could damage your true 951 unit and you pay too much [ fake Hakko 936 tips cost $1 each, regardless of geometry.] If you have a counterfeit 951, using true Hakko tips may not work properly either.