ATTEN 474 or ZD-985-which is the better buy? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 22, 2013, 08:48:23 pm
content: I get to pick my birthday present. I have a budget that I can get either of the 2. Is the Atten with Hakko filters a better choice or the ZD-985 from Memotronics with 25% off spare parts and consumables the better bet? This is for home use. As much as I would like a Hakko 808, with the accessories I want, it puts it out of budget. I know what is said about opinions, but I want to see what the forum thinks.

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2013, 09:39:33 pm
content: Quote from: GreyWoolfe on December 22, 2013, 08:48:23 pmZD-985, because Zhongdi in general delivers better quality than Atten. However, I have never compared the exact mentioned units against each other. Second, Zhongdi does not produce top quality, they are IMHO just a notch above Atten.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 22, 2013, 09:50:45 pm
content: Bored, I know I am not getting the best quality here. I do have to work within my budget and it won't be getting heavy use. I just want something better than solder wick only. I have also used one of the radio shack $13 desoldering irons so for me, anything will work better. Thanks for the opinion on the ZHongdi. Dave's review was neutral but that was because of the broken wire. Not sure if it came that way or he did it when he was flexing the bezel. However, he did like the way the unit worked. I am probably going with the Zhongdi.

author: Rory
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2013, 10:40:38 pm
content: Grey, after shopping around I found this one and I'm pretty happy with it. Aoyue 474A++http://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-474A-Digital-Desoldering-Station/dp/B00ABJ4AEC/

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 22, 2013, 11:31:53 pm
content: Rory, did you get the real Hakko replacement filters for it? I did read the Amazon reviews and that was the recommendation. I ended up with the ZHongdi mostly because of Dave's review of the rebadged Blue Rhino version, at least I think that was what it was called without going back and looking at the video. That and the 25% discount on consumables and spare parts. I really wanted a Hakko, but that is champagne taste on a beer budget.

author: Rory
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2013, 02:40:47 am
content: Quote from: GreyWoolfe on December 22, 2013, 11:31:53 pmNo, I don't think the Hakko filters will be necessary. The filters included with the Aoyue 474A++ are simply thin sponge discs that you moisten before you start for the day. I have found, as I suspected, a pea-sized wad of fiberglass batting placed inside the spring filter (so that solder particles are trapped before they clog the spring and the sponge filter) works very well. It's much easier to replace that than having to pry the stuck solder out of the spring later. It saves the sponge filter from a lot of contamination, lengthening its life substantially. I keep a fist sized wad of fiberglass batting scavenged from the attic in a ziploc bag nearby. It will probably last for years.I didn't consider the Zhongdi because of other reviews of the handpiece where the reviewer mentioned that the latching button for the reservoir release breaks fairly easily and that the material the handpiece is made of is not as robust as other manufacturers. I have found the Aoyue model is pretty solid and feels substantial. Another thing is that the Aoyue cabinet is sheet metal vs the injection molded plastic of the other brands.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 23, 2013, 03:36:33 am
content: I like the idea of the fiberglass batting. I have a partial roll of fiberglass insulation in the shed. I think I will pilfer some of it.