xytronic - marketing wank or are they legit good?  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mistercris
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2017, 10:30:00 pm
content: So I'm looking to upgrade the POS amazon special soldering iron I currently own and as everyone does I'm looking all over for reviews. I've read about the Hakko fx888d vs the weller WES51 and the WESD51 and how either one is fine (that's about the price point I'm looking at) BUT.... but!.... as I'm limited to online sources if I want to avoid Customs/shipping duties I've gone crazy looking for other online retailers (particularly since I can't really find many actual retail stores anywhere near me). And the brand that keeps popping up is XYTRONIC.The closest brick and mortar store is about an hour away from me and the ONLY brand they seem to sell is Xytronic. This made me curious, so I started looking at their web site and they make the claim that they were the first to develop "the electronically controlled soldering station that revolutionized soldering!" (that's a direct quote from their web site:http://www.xytronic-usa.com/shop/custom.aspx?recid=1)Given that the soldering stations I've compared are priced about the same as the Hakko and weller comp models, and the above statement BUT given that I've read (here among other places) that they're just another iffy chinese company, I'm wondering what the facts are.Can anyone give opinion?For what it's worth I was about to pull the trigger for the Hakko FX888d but I'm now kind of interested in the xytronic LF-2000

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2017, 12:07:06 am
content: Whats the xytronic in CAD? I see it for $140 USD:https://www.howardelectronics.com/soldering/soldering-stations/by-manufacturer/xytronic/lf-2000/xytronic-lf-2000-intelligent-temperature-controlled-soldering-station/The FX888D is $100 USD ($140 CAD shipped on amazon). Xytronic doesn't seem like its worth it to me, unless the price is comparable.I would get the Hakko if you need it right away, or look into a T12 clone,https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/(tip)-best-budgetcheap-soldering-stations-and-tools/Either one is going to be a good upgrade.

author: mistercris
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2017, 06:13:46 pm
content: Thanks,Turned out that model was out of stock so I ended up getting a cheaper model xytronic to try out as it takes the hakko tips (the389d). It was fairly cheap (paid $89Cdn+tx).The issue in ordering the Hakko is customs. Amazon.com (the US) has it quite reasonable (total works out to $130Cdn after tax) BUT... getting it here is a pain. It weighs 5lbs and is electronics (which catches customs attention). Only way I can get it is if someone brings it in for me.Amazon.ca (the Cdn) has it for $140Cdn plus tax with shipping incl BUT... It's not prime eligible. Im fairly certain it's shipped from the US. Which means there's a good chance I'd get duties slapped on top before I got it plus delay in delivery (it's happened on one of my purchases before) so I only order amazon.ca stuff if it's prime eligible or if I don't care when it gets here as it's the only way to avoid unexpected delays and costs.To compare, same shop I bought the xytronic has the Hakko. I tried to haggle a few bucks off his listed price but even so, after taxes best price he gave me came out to $180. And it didn't even include the little brass sponge.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2017, 06:47:14 pm
content: Xytronic is a well known Taiwanese company, which is why they are considered to be better than mainland China brands.I have no complaints about the Xytronic solder station that I bought in 1991

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2017, 08:19:46 pm
content: Quote from: mistercris on November 07, 2017, 06:13:46 pmIts sold by electro-5, a company in Quebec.Anything on Amazon.ca is guaranteed to be duty/tax free upon delivery, if you are charged anything, you tell amazon and they will refund you.

author: mistercris
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 01:15:30 am
content: QuoteCan you tell me how you find out where a company is located when shopping from Amazon? I've never been able to figure it out. Would really help.As for duty and taxes it depends if it's Prime or third party shipment (that's why I asked if you can tell me how to find out where that company is shipping from).I know this cause i had shipments tagged by customs so I looked it up. This is from the Amazon.ca site:"The recipient of an international shipment may be subject to such import taxes, customs duties and fees, which are levied once a shipment reaches the recipient's country. Additional charges for customs clearance must be borne by the recipient... "Here's the link to the relevant page.So basically if the shipper is selling on Amazon.ca but they are shipping it in from overseas, you're risking getting tagged at customs. If it's prime I think it's already in the country so all duties and fees have been paid and are included in the cost (which probably explains the cost of the Hakko vs the US site).

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 07:56:46 pm
content: Quote from: mistercris on November 08, 2017, 01:15:30 amI searched for the name of the seller, in the top right:"CDN$ 139.95 + FREE SHIPPINGIn Stock. Sold by Electro-5"Doesn't always work.It does not matter if it is prime or third party, you will not be in the hole for customs. This is partly why items tend to be more expensive on amazon.ca, sellers have to cover lost items claims, custom tax, amazon fees, etc. Some sellers aren't even aware of this.https://sellercentral.amazon.ca/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=313078&tstart=4560https://sellercentral.amazon.ca/gp/seller/registration/participationAgreement.html?itemID=200404870&language=en_CAQuote

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 08:15:35 pm
content: http://www.soldering-station.com/mini-soldering-station.htmlThey've been around 30+ years, not very aggressive pushing their name, and in the past have OEM a lot of house brand solder station.Given local taxes and shipping issues vs a competing station, xytronics could be a good deal in Canada. Sometime in the early 2000 there were complaints of QC issues that made Hakko more attractive.

author: mistercris
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2019, 03:29:19 am
content: I'm adding an update now I've used the thing for a while. It worked out pretty well. Temp control is good, it heats up fast (really fast. I can turn it on, set temp and it's ready to go fast enough I've not had to wait yet). The only negative I have against it is the wire. Can't change it (hard wired between soldering iron and controller) and it suuuucks. Very stiff and unwieldy, especially if it's cold (I used it a few times in a cold montreal garage in winter). So I think it was a good purchase.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2019, 10:32:01 am
content: Thanks for sharing the experience; I knew this brand but I haven't paid any attention to concrete usage reports like yours. It gives me an additional brand to look for if I ever need to replace my FX888.