Quick'n dirty review - ATTEN 8502D - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Ice-Tea
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2016, 07:50:55 pm
content: Figured I'd do a (very) quick review of this unit. Purchased it from Batronix. I ordered there before and just like last time it arrived quickly and well packaged. I have no packaging fetish so no unboxing video or something but this surprised me (in a good way):Three additional nozzles! I didn't know I was getting these, so I'm a happy boy indeed!I had a Weller before (and have used several over the years), so I can compare. What I noticed immediately was that the cable running up to the iron is not very flexible. It will resist rotating it, which is a bit annoying while soldering (big difference with the Weller, you could pretty much ty it in a knot before it would start to wring). The other thing I noticed was the hot air tube. To be honnest, I was expecting it to melt the first time I turned it on. It didn't, obviously, but it feels more like an airtube for a fish tank rather than a 400°C capable airduct. In the end, that's a good thing. It offers less resistance when using it. So... strange, but good!So, this is the unit. Something odd (and not very confidence inspiring) is that the display and control panel is not inserted straight. Not sure if the picture conveys it, but the whole thing is tilted a bit. It obviously doesn't change how the thing works, but you'd think they could invest in a decent jig for this.Another thing that bothers me is the noise. Not from the pump, that was to be expected. But just turned on, it makes noise. Not terribly loud but loud enough for me to hear. 50Hz, obviously, but also something higher. I'm guessing PWM, but it should not be audible. Not a big fan of that.Now we're on it: have you noticed the placement of the up/down buttons? The down is on therightside. Perhaps it's just me, but that's counterintuitive. I'm guessing that they read right to left over there? In that case, they should have two variants...Another one for the list: with Wellers, I'm used to pretty much throw the iron in the craddle. That's not a good idea with the ATTEN. If I'd use it like the old Weller, I'm guessing the iron would just fall out. Even when inserted correctly, the iron still wobbles a bit. It's good enough but not great. The same goes for the hot air nozzle. There's a cradle attached to the body, but there's no question of throwing anything anywhere here. You really have to click it in the cradle, in a kinda awkward way... Even then, it's better not to touch any of it while it's in the cradle. A bit to much pressure and it slides right out.For the rest, everything works as advertised. The hot air nozzle works just fine. I can't really comment on it, never had one in the past. The solder iron itself works just fine too.Been using it for a bit, no signs of wear on the tip.Just to be clear: I don't think any of the above makes this a "bad" piece of kit at all, pretty much just details along the lines of what to expect when you buy a unit that's not from the top shelfHope this helps someone!

author: Ice-Tea
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2016, 08:21:33 am
content: Just figured out why the air tube seems so flimsy (ie not rated for 400C)... Because it is not rated for 400C, it carries cold air and the "head" contains the heating element. D'uh.

author: Raj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2016, 08:55:21 am
content: lol,...but take care not to have the airflow in tube get obstructed...doing so will make it red hot....wanna try it? set airflow to min and heat to max...And I also advice you to paint the metal box from inside (don't paint the air pump and circuit inside though)it corrodes like anything

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2016, 12:18:56 am
content: I paid $60 combined for these. I personally think that Atten is way overpriced.

author: thexeno
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2018, 01:21:33 pm
content: Hi,I had the Tenma 21-10130, but it is not tilted nor it makes any big sound (a little 50Hz).What do you think about the soldering iron? Does it really goes to 400°C? I used at work Weller, where at such temperature melt the lead-free very fast, while at home, with leaded one, seems a bit less, I would say less than 350.I also think that the only real temperature is the hot air one. Any thoughts on this?By the way, before noticing those things (among the others that you wrote), I feel almost guilty to have paid 150€ from Farnell shipped and have such quality item. Many other hot-air which costs more than 150€ seems more of a toy: they are not using a pump like the Tenma/Atten, but a blower. Meh..Also, what the difference between Atten and Tenma? Are the same company?

author: Ice-Tea
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2018, 08:48:43 pm
content: Tenma I think is a kind of Farnell brand that buys whatever and relabbels it.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2018, 09:20:25 pm
content: Quote from: Ice-Tea on July 18, 2018, 08:48:43 pmNot kinda, it's 100% the case.There's a few others too, so if you're interested, check outFarnell's Exclusive Brandspage.

author: NYKing
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 11, 2018, 02:05:48 pm
content: How is this station holding up? I saw a review and tear down of the Tenma clone/rebrand and looks like the construction is a bit dodgy:http://goughlui.com/2014/09/29/quick-review-tenma-smd-rework-station-bundle/It seems grossly overpriced for a station that uses cheapie parts from bottom tier (price wise) machines. My $39US 858D has the same wand holder and my $25US 939D has the same soldering iron which comes with a holder that fits perfectly unlike the Atten/Tenma! Smh

author: Ice-Tea
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2018, 11:17:06 am
content: Well, the iron stopped working a few days ago. Gives a temperature of zero degrees, which I kinda think is wrong.As I was already fed up with the short and stiff cable, I'm keeping it for the hot air nozzle and have bought a Ersa station to keep it company

author: NYKing
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 12, 2018, 10:24:52 pm
content: Ah, too bad...at least the hot air gun is still working! Good choice on Ersa. Can’t beat German workmanship.