HAKKO FX-888/FF-888D - Where to buy genuine? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: xZero
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2015, 01:39:47 pm
content: Hi, I finally want to buy soldering station for hobby/professional use, so I watched which one Dave recommends, and found that is Hakko FX-888 but nowadays FX-888 is discontinued and FX-888D is successor.Which one to buy? Personalty I think that analog one is better.And main question - where to buy genuine? I do not wanna clone or counterfeit. I do not wanna go above 130USD.I given Ebay a try and foundthis set, however seller claims that product is not genuine but OEM version. Any ideas?I also seen some on AliExpress and DealExtreme but I'm afraid of counterfeits.I am from Sweden, so I cannot use Amazon or so.Thanks

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 26, 2015, 02:03:00 pm
content: In another tread they sweared to be genuine stuff and getting them directly from Hakko.http://www.semicom.lv/Instrumenti_Ra%C5%BE_iek%C4%81rtas/Lod%C4%81muri_piederumi/Lod%C4%93%C5%A1anas_stacijas/Genuine_HAKKO_FX_888D_soldering_station_with_iron_holder_sponge_and_brass_wool_1965536_707.htmlQuoteBut genuine analog 888 are not sold for a long time, therefore only fakes are available.There is no chance to get genuine Hakko from China.Alhough I would recommend Ersa I-con Nano or Pico (not ESD safe, otherwise almost as Nano) over Hakko 888D. Price including VAT, shipping to Sweden will cost EUR 13,80.http://www.ersa-shop.com/ersa-icon-nano-elektronisch-geregelte-l%C3%B6tstation-standby-antistatisch-p-364.htmlhttp://www.ersa-shop.com/ersa-icon-pico-elektronisch-geregelte-l%C3%B6tstation-zeitstandby-p-8705.html

author: xZero
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2015, 02:30:56 pm
content: Woah, bad news, really, and I almost bought one of those shits for price of genuineWelL I'll rather stick with Hakko, even if it is FX-888D (is it that bad?) but still I have no idea where to order it? Are your alternatives better than FX-888D and how?I'm quite limited with money at the moment, but I need decent soldering station as soon as possible. With shipping I can go as maximum as 120USD or even lower if possible.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 26, 2015, 04:04:04 pm
content: Quote from: xZero on September 26, 2015, 02:30:56 pmBetter in almost every possible way, more powerful and much smaller. Accesories are easy to get in EU. No counterfeits exist. Really lazy to explain all the things, you could search for some older treads here.QuoteIn EU you have not many choices. The usual answer is Batterfly (Italy). Though recently appeared that Semicom (located a few kilometers away from me) sells them too. Really hard to buy genuine Hakko stuff in this part of the earth.

author: aon
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2015, 04:14:40 pm
content: Quote from: xZero on September 26, 2015, 02:30:56 pmWould you consider a second-hand FX-888D? I have one that's a bit over a year old and no need for it. I think I could do 80€ including shipping to Sweden (which is a bit over 20€). Comes with a used T18-D12 tip attached and two unused tips (T18-C1 and T18-B).PM me if you're interested.EDIT: more reasonable price.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2015, 04:26:36 pm
content: Quote from: xZero on September 26, 2015, 01:39:47 pmSomebody mentioned once a reasonably priced legit European Hakko dealer called Butterfly.

author: Eartoot
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2015, 04:46:51 pm
content: Quote from: zapta on September 26, 2015, 04:26:36 pmMost likely Batterfly as suggested by wraper. Link here:http://www.batterfly.com/shop/hakkoI've bought from Batterfly in the past with no issues. Italy has a strange codice fiscale personal tax code thing they use for online shopping which can seem daunting but the people at Batterfly helped me sort all that out.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2015, 04:56:15 pm
content: Batterfly sells the FX-888D for 98EUR + VAT & shipping (linky).FWIW, this is one of, if not the lowest price in Europe ATM.

author: 6581
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 26, 2015, 04:58:38 pm
content: I do second Batterfly. Got FX888d just recently. Delivery (to Finland) time wasn't very quick, over two weeks.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 27, 2015, 12:12:30 am
content: I would take aon's deal. His price is very fair and is giving 3 tips, which is a savings in itself.

author: 6581
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 27, 2015, 09:24:43 am
content: Didn't notice aon's second hand offer above. Yeah, should definitely consider that. And FX888D is not awful at all, sure the ui could be better (damn give us just one more button!) but it's just fine. It's a nice compact unit. Cord is not removable. What plug does aon's have?

author: aon
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2015, 10:44:59 am
content: Quote from: 6581 on September 27, 2015, 09:24:43 amI'm in Finland so Schuko.

author: TheBay
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 27, 2015, 11:03:30 am
content: Tell me about the UI, my FX-951 is AWFUL to adjust, and that BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP! when it goes in and out of the holder.Quote from: 6581 on September 27, 2015, 09:24:43 am

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 27, 2015, 12:54:16 pm
content: Quote from: TheBay on September 27, 2015, 11:03:30 amThe beep in and out of the cradle means the auto sleep is set to zero minutes, change it to 5 or 10 and the beep won't be constant. Also open it up and put a piece of electrical tape over the piezo buzzer, that will mute it to a nice level. I don't adjust the temp on mine much so the UI isn't bad at all.

author: 6581
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 28, 2015, 07:05:35 am
content: Quote from: TheBay on September 27, 2015, 11:03:30 amSetting temperature:https://youtu.be/xcUWOUJIalMHow to setup "preset mode" (after which you can use preset temps):https://youtu.be/H5ymGXuowU8Selecting preset temperature:https://youtu.be/r1pl61mbhOoThe fail of this user interface is that by default, if you press up-button for couple seconds and select a temperature - guess what? You just used "adjust mode" to calibrate your soldering station - (edit:) the fail part in my opinion is that usually to set a temperature you press enter-button for couple seconds - this adjust mode shouldn't be so easy to mix with setting a temperature:https://youtu.be/OvWxNlxVWUYBut going to settings, turning on preset mode and setting a password for adjust mode, the device is just fine to use (IMHO).

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2015, 07:51:26 am
content: and when you f**k it up, here is the reset procedure:

author: xZero
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2015, 01:20:24 pm
content: I like how this thread goes, many useful things come up.I considering second-hand Hakko from aon, would be nice to get it, but I'll first consider Batterfly as an option as new is new.

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2015, 03:38:16 pm
content: I would buy the used one, and save the money for something else€80 including tips and shipping is cheap, depending on how much use it had.

author: 6581
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 30, 2015, 04:11:35 pm
content: For comparison, my Hakko FX888d was 98€ (before taxes) , 5 tips 29€, shipping 18.80€, tax 32€, total approx 178€. I think 80€ with three tips is a bargain.

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2015, 08:11:03 pm
content: at current exchange rate, I paid €190 for my 888d, no tips, but at the rate that time it was like €230.packed it away, switched to an JBC, far better, but for starters, I think it's more than enough

author: xZero
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2015, 11:16:25 pm
content: Ok guys, you won! I will buy the used one. Going to contact aon, hopefully he didn't sold it yet.I just wondering does it work on 230V?

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 07:02:51 am
content: He said it's shucko connector, 220, 230, same same..

author: xZero
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 09:55:54 am
content: Yeah, I didn't noticed that before. Can't wait to get it!

author: xZero
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 04:25:01 pm
content: Just got HAKKO FX-888D fromaon. Everything was smooth, item is in great condition. Pleasure to do business with.

author: 6581
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 04:48:49 pm
content: Great purchase! Time to heat some solder... :-)

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 06:06:25 pm
content: xZERO, happy that you scored it. You won't be disappointed. Now, get to soldering